Taking a shot

One of the nicest things about our situation here is the health benefits.  Sure, it’s not perfect and we have our complaints (I can get Tylenol for 45 baht at any store, I don’t want to argue with cashier and pharm after the fact that I do NOT want to pay them 200 baht for the same thing), but when it comes to preventative and vaccinations, they are easy, clear, and on top of it.

We’ve gotten a number of COVID vax boosters and it’s easy.  The school informs staff if Vax or boosters are available and they can just register and then they have a time slot for self and family.  All at no cost to us.  Pretty easy and convenient, in my opinion.  

Yesterday, we got our updated flu shots.  Yes, flu season is now and not winter for us.  With the flu being avian based, mixed with the high heat, rainy season, standing water, bugs, etc. and it makes sense that this is the flu season and that most of the flu virus that affects the world starts in places like this.  Warm and tropical is the perfect breeding ground for the flu and then it can spread and adapt and into winter in cold weather places and the recycled air and staying indoors, et al and it makes complete sense why the flu spreads like it does.  TED talk aside, we got flu shots yesterday.

As you can see, J and I were easy and Kiddo wanted to watch and her Doctor Fix-It-Up instincts kicked in.  She had a million questions.  Why are they in the fridge?  Why do the put the shot into arms, why can’t we just drink it like other medicine?  Who invented a flu shot?  Is the alcohol they rub on you cold so your body gets ready for the cold shot?  And another dozen that I can’t remember.  She is such a curious little monkey.

The bad news is that I can only offer pics of Kiddo munching on some fruit before shots.  For some reason she is suddenly scared of shots.  So, J and I needed to hold her hands and keep her still while she got her injection.  She’s gotten 4 COVD shots without a blink, but the flu shot yesterday was a problem????  We let it go and did shots, but I brought it up that night with Kiddo when we were doing our end of night Dada time.  She told me that kids at school told her that shots hurt and that you needed to cry.  Great, peer pressure and socializing her to be “typical” instead of being herself.  Sigh.  Part of parenting and growing up… But that doesn’t mean we need to like it.  

J is off tonight to a bachelorette party and so Kiddo and I are doing a McDonalds dinner and then mall errands.  Tomorrow, depending on how hard J parties tonight (not hard, she’s just off antibiotics for her head cold thing) and how we all feel tomorrow, it will be a library day or a Decathlon day.  Library is library and I’ve heard a rumor that there is a pretty good burger spot near there.  Burgers you say???  LOL.  Decathlon is an outdoor/sport type store.  The ladies need new swimsuits before Vietnam, we might see if we can find Kiddo so lightweight clothes, just to update her wardrobe with a few things (two shorts and a shirt or three type deal) and maybe some new good athletic socks for her.  Little feet grow and breathable socks are always nice when summer temps are 37C+ (100F+) and it’s humid.

Otherwise, we have 13 days until Kiddo “graduates” Kinder to Grade 1 and that is the news of the house.  For J, it’s news because it’s been a long year for her.  Just the transition to Kinder, plus the mid-year leadership shake up, and some staffing issues with people just leaving with no warning post Christmas… That can make for a stressful and difficult year.  I think J and the whole team handled it well, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a long and hard year.  For Kiddo, it’s moving on.  She gets to use the big kid canteen for lunches next year.  The big kid playground.  The big kid entrance area instead of the Early Years area.  She (Kiddo) even invited Nanny Beer to her graduation.  That’s cool on a few levels.  First, Kiddo wants Beer there.  Second, that she is brave enough and trusts Beer enough to ask her.  Lastly, I get company at one of these.  Since J teaches, she’s doing her own class thing and I’m just kind of solo and chatting with the parents that I casually know, but now I’ve actually got someone to chat with.  Super cool.

As I blog this, Kiddo and J are on the roof doing scootering and playing.  Got this pic.  What a doll!  

Let’s go, Kiddo.  You’ve got 9 school days and a graduation day left.  Then, you get a mumma and dada summer and Vietnam.  We can’t wait to have a super exciting funner summer with you.