this exciting week

Do I really need to tell you the story on this one?

Actually, it didn't happen like you are probably imagining it.  The girls rode their bikes to the park.  They had a great time.


When we got home Ruby walked along the top of the planter retaining wall, as is her tradition, to our door.  Here is the wall...

I was: 1) opening the door with my foot, 2) trying to get a bike into our house with my left hand, 3) scooping Ruby off of the wall with my right hand.  I set Ruby down on the sidewalk, but I didn't realize she didn't quite have her balance, and I let go.  She fell forward into the wall.
Then there was the unmistakable cry of pain... bad mom.
Blood was dripping within three seconds.  I rushed Ruby into the house, fumbling around for tissues to sop up the blood.  And fumbling for the phone to call Andy.  No answer.  Work number.  No answer.  Call, call, call... no answer.  Ruby calmed down quickly, and the bleeding slowed down quickly, but the cut was obviously deep and open.  The Children's hospital ER is only one block away... faster to walk than drive.  I got the stroller ready.  Andy walked in the door.  Woo hoo!
We were supposed to meet some friends at Oz Park in just a few minutes.  One of the friends who would be there is a doctor, even better a dermatologist who stitches lots of faces.  We decided that since Ruby was happy and not bleeding (much) we would go to the park and get the opinion of our doctor friend... and eat dinner.
Doctor said she could use a few stitches, and he offered to stitch her up at his house... after playing at the park.
We had a great time at the park.  Dinner was good.  Alli took a few pictures of our friends.

It got dark.  Kids got tired. (Andy took some pictures too... it almost looks like there is a reflection pool at Oz Park, but no, it is just a shiny utility box he set the camera on for a long exposure... brilliant.)

We got the girls ready for bed and packed them up in the car for a trip downtown.  The whole stitching process only took 15 minutes (we didn't even have to pay for parking!).  Alli watched Sleeping Beauty.  Ruby was brave.  She cried for the numbing shot and she cried for the stitches, but we didn't have to hold her down.  She got a bag of fruit snacks when it was over.  And she was asleep before we got home.