Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Louse(y) Problem

Last Sunday I was combing Margaret's hair, getting the children ready for church when I noticed a little black spot on her scalp. I tried to pick it off, it was a bit stubborn.
"Wierd", I thought. So I insisted it come off and then I took a better look at that obstinate piece of what I thought was lint. What I saw is pictured above. Yuck! Okay, so there's a bug in Maggie's hair. No big deal...unless... Earlier that week, Anna had been reading a book to me and she was so bouncy and "itchy". She was driving my poor sleep deprived nerves insane. Finally, I said, "go do something else." Now, Anna's behavior made perfect sense. I checked her head. Sure enough, she had a terrible case of head lice. In fact, six out of the eight of us (including myself) had head lice. Jim was spared the ordeal thanks to his lack of hair and fortunately, Daniel's hair was too silky and fine to attract the little critters.

A friend of mine came over to help me shampoo heads and she made the comment, "they've had this for some time to have it this bad". "Yeah, I guess", I thought under my breath. The school nurse seconded her opinion when she sent the children home, "excused for severe lice".

10 comments:

Robs said...

Oh Kim! What a nightmare! Thank the heavens that baby Daniel didn't get it. Your past couple of weeks sound exhausting. I've been thinking about you and I'm glad that the lice is GONE!

Becky said...

Oh no!! Nightmare for sure! Camden (our now 6 year old) had it a couple of years ago, ...his case was pretty bad, but we had a miracle at our house. No one else got it- Bronson was only 2 weeks old. I was freaking out! But, apparently you are much more relaxed about the whole thing. Anyone who has been through it knows it's awful, but that you do what you have to do and make it through. Good luck with the vacuuming, and laundry (thank goodness for your dryer.)

gloria said...

I only wish Jim could have shared in the experience. I hope you're all doing better now. What an ordeal.

Anonymous said...

Email me when you are ready for my joke about lice. I understand now may not be the right time.

Perhaps each mom just needs to rethink lice. It is not a case of "if" your kids are going to get it. It is "when." Don't you think?

Em said...

I hope that it is not a question of "when."

Kim, I have been waiting for this blog.

Unbelievable! I am glad to hear that is is gone.

behka said...

We have miraculously been spared the ordeal so far-but Tahlia told me last week the school nurse came into her class and was checking everyone... I need to be on the look out!! That picture is going to give me nightmares and an itchy head all day.

NatalieBee said...

What a heinous nightmare! You are such an example to me. You seem to take everything in stride. I'm glad you finally obliterated those little critters!

BigFunFamily said...

Isn't it amazing that we can be so exhausted that we don't notice "Severe head lice" and yet still can have our eyes open, and move around the house?? Oh, Kim, I wish I could come give you a week off!! BTW, that is another bonus to homeschooling--we have never had lice (knock on wood!)

Beth said...

You are probably not going to email me for the joke, but maybe it will remind you of something funny from your high school days. From a bug joke book from A's kindergarten teacher:

Which bug performer sings rap?




Vanilla Lice.

I've got 101 other great ones on hand . . .

Gracie said...

SOOOO awful! Remember the pizza party we had as a victory party? I guess all bad things have a good side.