WackyGradke: 2 birthdays + infectious disease = a weekend at the Gradkes

In my 30 years on this earth, I may have unconciously come to the conclusion that many ailments my parents warned me about were myths. I've never had these ailments nor have I known anyone to be affected. Two of them are poison ivy/oak, and infected cuts/scratches. I never really believed all those times I played in filthy creeks and bacteria infected forests that I would contract poision ivy. Nor did I ever think subjecting myself to the awful burning of peroxide would prevent infection.

So yesterday Thade and I are hanging out on the couch watching the Wiggles or some such when Thade casually starts scratching his arm. After a few minutes he pulls his sleeve up and asks, "Mom is there something on my arm?" This is what I see:

Ummm, yes, there is something on your arm! So gross. Immediately I packed up all 3 kids, called Rustin to cut his golf game short and headed to CareNow. In addition to this infected cut, Thade has a dozen more infected scratches on his legs, plus a bad case of poison ivy with a lovely rash all over his neck and chest. (Which by the way he never noticed until I pulled his shirt up in the Dr. office) He started a steriod pack and is taking 2 different antibiotics. Today it's worse but we are hoping for improvement tomorrow or we have to go back to the Dr.

Saturday I survived the 2 birthday parties. It drizzled most of Thade's party but the boys didn't care. They played football in the mud and had fun. I can't believe he is 12. I know its cliche but the time really does fly.
Here I was desparately trying to keep one of the 12 candles lit thought the Happy Birthday song. It never did stay lit.