Tummy Crummies and Flu Vaccines

We talked to Ethan and Ryan last month about getting flu shots, and Ethan said he definitely wanted one. Ryan wasn't so sure. We called the pediatrician and were told that they were currently out of doses, but would have more available this month.

In the meantime, Ethan got a horrible stomach virus. He starting vomiting Sunday night and felt crappy into Monday. I started throwing up on Tuesday and still don't feel completely well. Esther got sick on Wednesday and is still under the weather. Ryan threw up once on Wednesday, laid down for about 10 minutes, then leapt up ready to play. Jeanne has, so far, managed not to get sick at all.

All this was not the best lead in to today which was flu shot day for Ethan and Ryan. Ethan was a bit nervous about the whole thing, and Ryan said he wasn't going to get one at all. That was fine. We told them that it was up to them, and they could change their minds right up until we left the doctor's office. When we arrived at the office, the nurse told us that instead of a shot, the guys could get the nasal version. Ethan said he'd take that happily. Ryan said, "I'm getting the shot. I like pain." The nurse dosed Ethan and then drew up Ryan's shot. She wiped his arm with the alcohol and unsheathed the needle. Ryan said, "Never mind. I'll take the nose kind." I was really glad that the whole experience was pain free.

At dinner tonight, we were all talking about our days. Ethan said he got the "nose shot" and that it was "really great." Ryan said, "I had to get the flu nose shot. My boss said all spies need to get one every year. Next year I have to get another one or I can't work anymore."

I have no idea when he decided that being a spy meant getting a flu vaccine. That just goes to show you who is the real spy guy around here.

Kid's Vote

Isabella Pinto organized her own election. Here's a bit from the Waterbury Republican-American (Connecticut):

Isabella Pinto, 8, was so disappointed to learn she was too young to vote, she organized her own election. The young political junkie and contemporaries from her recently launched Children's Right to Vote Committee on Tuesday will address what they consider an injustice. They will oversee their own presidential election, one open to even those born after iPods first hit store shelves. "It's not fair that we don't get to vote," said Isabella, an aspiring commander-in-chief (and lawyer and scientist) from Thomaston. "People say 'We the people,' and children are people, too."

The rest of the article is here: http://www.rep-am.com/News/376850.txt.

When we told Ethan about this, he said he had to go to Thomaston and vote. It's about an hour drive from New Haven to Thomaston, but that didn't deter him. After Esther and I cast our votes for Obama, we piled into the car and set off for Ethan to vote. Ryan said he was not going to vote because it didn't count anyway. I can understand that.

Ethan was so excited to get to vote for Obama. He said he wanted to vote because Obama was against the war and would help people who don't have a lot of money. He said he thinks it's great that Obama wants to "spread the wealth."


Once we got to Thomaston, Ethan had to register, and get his ballot.

Next he went to the voting table and marked his ballot.


Finally he put his ballot in the ballot box.
He was very happy to get he chance to vote. He even got an I voted today sticker which he put on the calander along side ours.

Lucky for Ethan, he got his election results already:

Presidential Winner: Obama - 66, McCain -53, Nader - 4

Total Voters - 123

Now let's hope the nationwide vote follows this one!