Nit wits!

On Friday, I was told by another mum at school that I deserve a medal.  Apparently, having three children go through preschool and almost three years of primary school without getting head lice is unusual.  It would seem that head lice is very common and not so stigmatised anymore that you must be dirty to contract it.  I must admit I always thought unwashed and unkempt people were magnets for lice and nits.  Turns out this is not the case.  Head lice do not care if your hair is clean or dirty, whether you are rich or poor, whether your hair is long or short, or what religion you are (this proved by the mum I spoke to who is exceptionally god loving and her four children often get lice versus our family who are atheist).  A scalp is all they need to start sucking into and harvesting their eggs on a bit of hair.

Over the years the kids have come home with plenty of school notices that head lice have been reported in the classroom and our kids have never scratched or given us an inkling they might be affected.  That was until Thursday this week when I picked up the kids from school, emptied Henry's bag and found the latest head lice note.  A few hours later we noticed Henry scratching away at his head.  A quick look through his hair and I was mortified.  I've never seen lice and nits before and they looked like they were having a festival in Henry's hair.  There were big ones, little ones, lots of eggs - it was all a bit overwhelming for our first time.  Given how much Henry loves his little brother Buster, it was hard for him to keep his distance and not pass on the lice.  In Henry's own words "It's like I'm allergic to Buster".

The kids were already bathed and ready for bed when we discovered Henry's lice.  I dashed off to the chemist and $50 later I was armed with a treatment foam, protective spray and necessary wire comb. 

The next morning before school we used the foam and comb in Henry's hair.  Poor kid.  In his long hair the comb was not kind and there were lots of tears .  We packed him off to school and said we'd cut his hair that night and continue the fight against the lice, with it being much easier to comb his hair if he basically had none.  We also used the protective spray on Buster and Milly to ward off the nitty evils.

That evening Michael got out the clippers and took Henry's hair off.  It was during this time that we noticed Buster scratching and you guessed it, yep he had lice too.  I can't begin to explain how distressed I was watching Michael cut off Buster's hair with the clippers.  In fact, I'm still in shock and haven't accepted it.  I know it isn't necessary to cut their hair so short to combat the lice but it certainly made it easier to find them and comb out the eggs.  Buster was really good with the comb.  When his hair was all gone Henry said, "He looks like me, only cuter". 

Meanwhile, Milly was having a good giggle and providing her usual unhelpful commentary (eg "Buster looks so weird").  I threatened her that if she got nits we'd cut off all her hair too.  That shut her up.

With Buster now infested too, Henry was happy he was free to mingle at close range with Buster again.



I just have to share this photo of Boo.  It is my favourite of his angelic face.  His preschool are having their photo day in two weeks.  I don't think his hair will grow back in time.  I'm still distraught.

Things Milly says #7

Milly:  Mumma, do you learn to drive when you're a teenager?

Me:  Yes, usually when you're a teenager.

Milly:  Will you teach Henry how to drive when he's a teenager?

Me:  Yes, me or Dadda will.

Milly:  That's good.  Because if you die when we are at the shops Henry can drive me home.

Sports Day

Today was the big Sports Day for the infant school.  It was Henry's last infant sport day as he will join the wider school next year for their sports carnival, and it was Milly's first sport day ever.  The infant sport day programme at their school is non-competitive.  There are no trophies or ribbons, it's just all about having a go at different sports, games and activities and having fun.  They save all the competition and races for the junior and senior primary students, which is when they join a "house" and wear "house colours".

Milly was a little excited and anxious about her first sports day.

Henry was loving every minute of it.  Or maybe he's just closing his eyes to avoid looking at the girl behind him who has lifted her skirt up and decided to flash everyone.

Egg and spoon.

Sack jumping.

Relays.

Pogo.

Buster and I spent the whole day helping out and he even got to join in on a few activities.  He also proved to be quite coordinated for his age and impressed many a teacher and parent with his ball skills and hand-eye coordination.

 

 

Education week

Henry and Milly's school held their Book Week parade and Education Week celebrations all on the same day.  So what does that mean?  Well it means, they got to attend school dressed up as their favourite book characters, and have me come and visit them in the classroom so they could show off their work.

Their school is pretty proud of their academic record, but on display this year they focused on the arts.  It was lovely to walk around the school and see kids putting on musical performances, ballet or other dance recitals, and even a magic show.  There were art works from each class hanging up all around the school.  The chess club was out in force challenging anyone to a game.  And it was hard sit back and watch a game of handball and not be able to play.

Harry Potter and Lola.

I gave Milly the option of having me visit her classroom first or second.  She said she wanted me to visit her class last because it would give me more time with her.  So off I trotted to class 2W to see Henry.  His class were busy doing a find-a-word puzzle that had a recycling theme.  He gave me a red pencil to tick off his words as he found them.  He showed me under his desk where he keeps his books and pencil case, and told me he wished I could visit his class all the time so I can give him the answers.

 

Next stop was visiting Milly in her class KM.  When I arrived I could see parents with cameras filming, but by the time I reached the classroom it was all over and Milly was in tears.  I had missed her kindy class performance.  Her teacher was so apologetic and said she had waited knowing I would be there but had to get the program of activities underway.  Of course, had I known Milly's class were going to do something special for the parents I would have gone to her class first.  After lots of cuddles and kisses Milly calmed down and took me to her desk to show me her workbooks and around her classroom.  

 

It was so lovely to see the kids in their classrooms and have lunch with them in the playground.  Am now looking forward to Buster starting school in 18 months time and visiting him in class as well.