Some of the participants will remain nameless, to protect the identity of the “thrower”
So today was shaping up to be a great day. We were up on time, everyone had a healthy breakfast and there was little dissent when it was time to get dressed, brush teeth, and go to school. This afternoon, we had plans to swim in the 76 degree water in our 92 degree back yard. No homework this week, because of SAT testing. By 3:10, I had the net off the pool, iTunes loaded, drinks in the back fridge, sunscreen on Your Majesty, and clean towels ready for the kids. Melanie was coming over with Hannah after the 2nd grade Brownie/Earth Day Meeting. Ross and Chris were already home, in the big pool, and Chloe and Emmy were “swimming” in the hot tub. Melanie & Hannah arrived, and everyone was having a great time… lots of laughing, splashing, snacking, singing… you get the idea. That’s when it happened.
All I saw was a snorkel mask fly through the air and land squarely in the middle of Emmy’s forehead. As you know, there isn’t much skin on the forehead, and it therefore BLEEDS PROFUSELY. This bleeding is made worse when your forehead is wet, for example, like WHEN YOU’RE IN A HOT TUB. In the course of about 3 seconds, Emmy went from looking like a normal 4 year old to an extra in a horror movie. I am not exaggerating. The impact of the bleeding, combined with the screaming coming out of Emmy’s mouth, made it hard to assess the seriousness of the injury. It took about another half a second for Melanie to spring into action, rushing to Emmy and helping her out of the water. I was right behind her, mind you, trying to get my brain to catch up with reality. Melanie yelled for everyone to get out of the pool. They did. Then she told me to get a towel, so I followed directions. I ran inside to get a towel for the bloody forehead. Melanie, who was holding Emmy, told me to apply pressure, so I did. This made Emmy scream louder (if that is possible). Ross ran up to me and asked if there was anything he could do, like maybe call dad. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that calling dad to tell him Emmy got a bleeding head wound while in the pool, was NOT a good idea. If you know Joe, you know the words “head injury,” even when you’re speaking of the superficial kind, send him into panic mode. One of the other kids (who will remain nameless) was talking Ross off the ceiling. Another child (who will also remain nameless) was crying. Another was wondering when s/he could get back in the pool. It was a picture of controlled chaos.
After about two minutes, the bleeding stopped. The older kids were “cleared” to get back in the pool, although the one who tossed the mask was a bit traumatized and sat on the side for an additional 5 minutes. Eventually, s/he was convinced that Emmy was going to live, and decided to join the others in the pool. Melanie asked Emmy if she wanted some juice and watermelon, which she did. Melanie also asked Emmy if she wanted some Tylenol for her head, which she did. Emmy sat and talked to us about all kinds of things for awhile, so we knew her cognitive ability wasn’t compromised. Eventually, Emmy asked to get back in the hot tub. In her way up the stairs, she stopped at the child who tossed the goggles and said, “Say you’re sorry.” Classic. The child complied, and Emmy walked on to the hot tub.
Melanie commented that alone, either one of us would have been freaking out. Together, we handled things well (which, if I’m being honest, really translates into Melanie took charge and I let her, and I did pretty good at listening & following “orders.” ) She’s right, though – we’re a good team!!!
It was, once again, the perfect day.
