Simsek Strikes

Overheard: The Pats Game

Yesterday, Paulo went to see our beloved Patriots play their arch-rivals, the Jets, at home in Foxborough. He was beyond excited.  He left right after breakfast, even though the game wasn't until 4:30, just so that he'd have plenty of time to look around, explore Patriot Place, meet our brother-in-law, and have lunch.

Long story short, the game did no go well for us.  As I watched from home, cringing, the Patriots lost, a play-at-a-time.  There were interceptions, fumbles. and too many sacks to believe.  And the Jets (those trash-talking SOBs) played a really good game.  Especially their defense. We texted back and forth throughout.  Towards the end, he told me, grown men were leaving the stadium in tears.  

But this morning, the kids awoke to Patriots presents and all was right with their world.  Paulo brought me a vintage-style Pats shirt, a pink Brady jersey for Ellie, a pink Pats monkey for Lexi, and a finger football game for Spencer.

Lexi:  This is the best morning!  I love my monkey!!

Spencer: Yeah!  But the Patriots losed, Mommy.

Me:  They "lost" Spencer, I know.  I watched on TV, remember?

Lexi:  But it's okay because I got a MONKEY!!

Spencer:  And I got a game!  And Mommy got a shirt!

Lexi:  And Ellie got a shirt!

Spencer:  And Daddy got a shirt!

Paulo:  No, I didn't get a shirt.

Spencer:  Did you get pants?

Paulo:  No, I didn't get pants.

Lexi:  Daddy got to watch the Patriots LOSE!

 

Lucky Daddy.

Overheard: Beaten About the Head

On Fridays, Spencer has Occupational Therapy.  Since the therapist is located near my parents' (but more because they're saints) my mom and dad have been taking both Lexi and Spencer all afternoon on Fridays. This afternoon, my Mom was busy helping a friend in the hospital, so Dad was on his own with them.  After dinner, they rushed through the door, cranked up and crazy happy, zooming around and crashing like a puppy with the rips.  So the following conversation happened as they zipped back and forth by us:

Me:  What happened?  Did you have fun?

Lexi and Spencer:  YEEESSSS!!!  

Me:  Were they good for you, Grampa?

Dad (grinning):  I only had to beat them two or three times, right kids?

Spencer:  Nooooooo (giggle-giggle-giggle) he didn't beat me!

Dad (winking at Spencer):  Spencer must have a short memory if he's forgotten already.

Lexi (from the other room):  That's because of all the beating on his head!  He can't remember anything!

Filed Under Random Cures: Duct Tape vs. Plantar Wart

Last summer I discovered that both girls had plantar warts.  Lexi's was on the ball of her foot, and Ellie's on the heel.  At the time, the pediatrician suggested that I keep them covered with duct tape.  I'm pretty sure the look of disbelief was unmistakable, because she laughed and reassured me that it was just as effective as OTC remedies and cheaper. Skeptical, but happy to try a cheap fix for once, we went for it.

But it was summer and their feet sweat constantly. They went swimming and ran around barefoot and played in the sprinkler.  They went to the park in their sandals and covered their feet with sand and, and, and...I couldn't keep tape on. So we tried the OTC liquid that dries on and forms a crusty film.  For Lexi, this was enough.  She understood how to hold still for application and to wait for it to dry, and we could keep up daily.

But Ellie was tougher.  I had to apply it while she slept and it often got smeared.  Worse yet, it only seemed to make the area swell and get more uncomfortable and irritated until she didn't want me to touch it anymore.  She began calling it her "boo-boo" and avoiding it.

So this fall, I tried the duct tape again.  Once she realized that the tape didn't hurt, she happily let me put it on, and inside her socks and shoes or pajama feet it stayed on. I changed it twice a day and slowly but surely, it started to work.  The swelling went away first, and then the wart began to shrink.  Little bits came off with the tape and it flattened out.  She stopped avoiding it and began ignoring it, which was wonderful in itself.  She even remembered to ask for tape when dressing.  

And finally, this morning, after approximately four months of the duct tape cure, Ellie's wart fell off. Seriously, it just came off neatly with the tape. I couldn't believe it, but there it was!  I started to throw it away and put her sock on without the tape, but she protested.  Clearly, she'll have to get used to the idea that she doesn't need it anymore, but I couldn't be happier.  If only we'd known about this when I was I kid I might have avoided having holes burned in the bottoms of my feet!