"Change, when it comes, cracks everything open."
Dorothy Allen

Monday, January 16, 2012

There is a doctor in the house.

Over the holidays, it was pretty much a free-for-all when it came to technology.  Sebastian, who had been doing so well, backpedaled to about 6 hours of TV a day.  Geoff was pretty much glued to his iPad.  Sawyer would fight Geoff for iPad rights.  I felt like the only one that wasn't starving for technology.  I also went back to work, so spending 8+hours a day on a computer really doesn't lend itself to more computer time at home. 

I decided that the time of TV had past.  Today was the first day on the technology diet (for Sebastian and Sawyer, anyway.)  Sebastian was allowed 1 hour of TV, just before bed.  The time between school ending and that magical hour before bedtime needed to be filled with other pursuits. 

He did a great job.  He played with his stuffies and toys in his room and the hallway.  He read some books.  He listened to music.  He came down to the kitchen and began to learn to read recipes as he helped me make bread.  After dinner, he became the first patient for Doctor Sawyer.

Now, Sawyer really never has an issue in entertaining herself. She has a very active imagination, and isn't afraid to use it.  She had us all (even Geoff!) in a musical parade tonight.  She had the clapper, I had the tambourine, Sebastian had bells and Geoff was the drummer.  Around and around the center wall we went, marching fast and slow, with the dog freaking out. After that, she had lots of other parade ideas, including a butterfly parade.  She told me all about it in the bath tub.  We will save that for tomorrow.

So, tonight, Sawyer decided to play doctor....with all of us.  Sebastian was first, but didn't last long under careful and yes, painful ministrations.  I was next.  I was the bravest.

She had set up her office in the living room, with her tools of the trade laid out across the coffee table.  It starts with a severe pounding on the elbows and knees with a reflex hammer.  If she doesn't get an appropriate reaction (a high pitched yelp with a violent jerking of the limb usually does it) then she just pounds harder.  Sometimes her aim is off, and she will hit your forehead, instead of your elbow.  You have to stay sharp.  Next comes the open mouth check.  Really, it's all about a strong gag reflex.  There is also heart check, blood pressure (she gets bored, so you have to do it yourself.  Don't think about stopping, 'cause it's 'portant) needles, temperature (taken in your armpit, thank God I taught her that!) and so much else.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with an acute case of beaver throat.  That  is, a beaver is stuck in my throat.  The cure was that I had to hug a stuffed Dora, while Sawyer cut my hair. 

It must be a naturopathic cure.

Eventually Dr. Sawyer also diagnosed Sebastian with crocodile ear and Geoff with giraffe head.  Sebastian chose to live with his condition, and carried on bravely.  Geoff had a series of shots- like seriously, I think she stabbed him 20 times- and even then, there was no guarantee of the cure.  Dr. Sawyer is such a good physician, she even diagnosed herself with hippopotamus of the elbow. 

All in all, it was a wonderful first night away from the TV.  Here's to many more.

Rosie N. Grey
The N stands for "never argue with the doc."

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