I Am A Robot

Squareboy, daughter and I made it to the doctors office with a plan. The second we walked into the office the plan flew out the other door. Daughter was distraught to see another girl riding on her rocking elephant. Squareboy insisted our deal was good for in the presence of the doctor only, the rest of the time he was free to whine and fling his body all over the waiting room. Peachy.

I don't know if the staff hoped we'd just leave or if they were popping valium in the back getting ready for us, but we waited for an hour before we were finally seen. Squareboy getting increasingly lower blood sugar while my blood was reaching the boiling point. Once in the 2X4 cell in the back, without any valium in sight, we waited some more. Daughter raided the doctors supplies "but the brothers need stuff so they know I didn't forget about them at the doctors." Yeah, that's it, a bunch of bandaids, alcohol wipes and tongue depressors will thrill three teenage boys.

Squareboy rolled around on the floor some more. At least this time away from the disapproving eyes of the rest of the waiting room. Amazingly, when the doctor did walk in still 10 minutes later, with an apology no less, both kids snapped to and had decent behavior. Squareboy followed directions perfectly, albeit a little too enthusiastically while breathing for the stethoscope, and the doctor declared him a healthy boy. Daughter hopped right up for her turn and also did super. However. While doing the neuro-check/spine-check she was asked to walk the length of the room, which she did fine, and to walk back. She walked back to the doctor like a robot. Marching stiff & straight, arms swinging without a bend at the elbow, chanting "I am a robot." Our very serious, very quiet, doctor actually burst out into a laugh.

After that it was a free-for-all. I can't say they misbehaved, but the angelic behavior did go out the door. Mostly, after the robot moment, they were frogs. Leapfrogging over each other in the 2X4 space while the doctor and I discussed nutrition, developmental milestones, Squareboys still-too-red scar, and my enthusiasm at the start of the school year... which this year includes full days for all five kids.

While he praised me for my patience! Doc was also able to celebrate my ability to foist all the kids off on teachers. Yeah me!