Mother of the Year

So I've alluded to the fact that my two year old son is afraid of bugs. As in, he won't go down the slide if there is a lady bug on it.

Last night we had a bug emergency.

8:00 pm
Me: Good night honey, have a good sleep.
Cade: I need a hug and a kiss.
Me: (to self) What a sweet boy

8:05 pm
Me: What are you doing out of bed?
Cade: (eyes welling) I hear a buzzing sound.
Me: Okay, let's go check it out.
We walk hand-in-hand back to his room, sit on his bed quietly.
Me: Honey, there isn't a buzzing sound, everything is okay. It's time to go to bed.
Cade: (bottom lip in full pouting mode) NNNNNNOOOOOOO! Mom, there's.....(pause while the tears and volume build) BUGS!
Me: Look, there aren't any bugs. It's okay. Go to sleep. (leave room with son whimpering)

8:10 pm
Me: What are you doing out of bed?
Cade: THERE ARE BUGS ON MY FLOOR!
Me: Honey, seriously, there are no bugs. Anyway, bugs don't hurt you (slight lie in some cases). It's time for bed.
Cade: (bawling) BUGSBUGSBUGSBUGSBUGSBUGSBUGSBUGS
Me: Okay, I'll lay down with you for a few minutes.
Cade: (thumb in mouth, nods consent)

8:45 pm
Me: Get back in bed!
Cade: (hysterically) The bugs are getting me!
Me: No they're not. It's the season finale of Dancing with the Stars! Go back to bed! Do you need a spank?
Cade: The bugs will get me!
Me: (exasperated) Let's go. Get in bed.
Leave room with son in an all-out bawl.

9:00 pm
Me: (feeling bad for letting my little boy cry until he is hiccuping so that I can watch DWTS) Sweetheart, it's okay, I promise.
Cade: thebugsthebugsthebugsthebugsaregettingme thebugsthebugsthebugsthebugsaregettingme
Me: Do you want Daddy to lay with you for a few minutes?
Cade: nods and hiccups

9:30
Finally, sleep....

9:45
Huge june bug comes buzzing down the hallway, throwing itself against the light of the television.

Foiled!

I took a quick trip to Denver last weekend to greet my younger sister who was flying home after being in Germany for a year as an exchange student. Besides an overnight bag, I brought two things with me: my young daughter and my swine flu fears.

Normally I'm not all that concerned about getting sick, however, since I've had kids, my protection factor has reached armadillo or ostrich levels. Traveling in two international airports, knowing that I would probably have to use the public restroom and touch various germy surfaces had me thinking about what types of defenses I should institute to keep my little gal safe and healthy.

Armed with Clorox wipes and hand sanitizers, I meticulously wiped down any surface that either I or Avery touched and doused both of us generously with antibacterial substances. The trip out to Denver went swimmingly; I was confident that I averted any dangerous swine bugs. Denver International Airport was also great as my only task was to deplane and grab my stroller. The flight back to Minneapolis was good too.

All-in-all I was really relieved to have made it through both airports without any whiff of danger.

Until I stepped in the escalator to go from the main terminal down to the pick-up level. I boarded the elevator, pushed the button with my elbow and settled in for my quick ride with only one other occupant.

"Whew," she said. "I just flew in from Mexico. I hope the weather here is as nice!"