Conjunction Junction

Ah, remember Schoolhouse Rock? Conjunction Junction, My Hero Zero, Three is the Magic Number... OK, so there's no story to here, I'm just enjoying a moment of free association. I was thinking about conjunctivitis, and my thoughts wandered off to those glorious lyrics of my youth...

The wee ones both have pink eye. It's our first bout, and while I should thank the universe for having spared us thus far, in truth I'm somewhat irritated. Literally, I'm irritated, in my right eye. I don't show any outward signs yet, but every time I look in the mirror, I brace myself thinking I'm going to be staring into my own red-eyed reflection. I'm trying not to itch or poke into either of my eyeballs, but it's like trying not to itch a tickle on your arm when you've just seen a flea crawling on a dog - dare I say, it's practically impossible!

While we've been in pretty good spirits throughout, the mood is dramatically altered four times a day when I have to dose my son with his antibiotic eye drops. Luckily for me, I've got a cunning leg maneuver that I've perfected for use during diaper changes. It's crossed over now, and become essential for keeping the little guy immobilized and in position to receive his meds. With the use of my leg trick and the incentive of a small ramekin of crackers, we manage to get the job done. I don't understand it, but my husband can get him to sit in his lap and willingly look up as the solution is dropped into each eye. Last night, there was even a request for "more." But I do it, and it's like I'm pouring acid on him. The disparity is just so irksome.

Tomorrow may prove to be a challenge. We're still banished from our local haunts - no one wants to play with kids with crusty, swollen eyes - and we've already been to the grocery store twice in as many days, the first time out of need, the second because I'd forgotten the dog food the day before. It'll be a solid week before I want to see the inside of the Lebanon Coop again. We can go for a walk if it's nice, but there's some rumor of a small snow storm coming our way. No doubt, I'll be asked to sing several rounds of "Hello," "Dress" and "Shakey" to get us through our morning. Good thing they seem to like my voice.