“Get your shoes on. We’ve got to go.”
This is the way it has to work. No explanation. No sweet talk. All business.
My three boys casually ignore me, focusing on SpongeBob. Sometimes, I really want to wring that sponge.
“Ahem!” I say loudly. “Let’s get a move on. Now!”
My “Now” sounds like it looks, all exclamation points, but amazingly, they don’t hear it that way and slowly amble toward their shoes.
“Where are we going?” my oldest asks, but I brush off his question.
“No questions. Time to go.”
My two youngest race out the door.
“So where are we going?” My oldest persists, and because he’s eleven and has showed progress and maturity these past couple of years, I tell him.
“Oh.” He says anxiously, eyes wide. “Do they know?” He gestures toward the happy faces climbing over each other in the minivan.
I shake my head no.
“Can I tell them?” He asks, eyes glinting.
“Wait till we’re closer. The less crying I have to hear the better.”
He nods happily. We’re in cahoots now.
During the seven minute drive, the secret spreads like a low hum across the car, reaching my youngest as we pull in, his eyes alight with panic. While the other boys wait, I patiently try to coax him from the car.
“Come on,” I plead. “It’s so quick. You didn’t even cry last year.” Uh, except for the half hour preceding it, of course.
He backs away, deeper into the third row.
Realizing negotiation was futile, I not so patiently pick up his flailing, twisting body and carry him. Once inside, he calms some, until the doctor appears smiling, with his Tweety and Sylvester tie and a syringe. It is a semi-creepy combination.
Oldest boy goes and takes it in arm like a pro.
Middle boy goes and barely bats one of his ridiculously long lashes.
Youngest boy… where is youngest boy? Sigh.
I pull him out from under the patient table and talk gently to him as he struggles to pull away. I show him how happy his big brothers are and he kicks at the doctor. I promise him treats when he’s done, but he is like a rabid baby bear covered in butter in my arms.
Finally, I restrain him enough for the three seconds it takes the doctor to insert the needle and it’s over.
My boy takes his time breathing heavily, recovering from his experience. “See, it’s really not that bad,” I coo, petting his curls. “It’s over so fast. You were very brave.”
He looks up, baby brown eyes still moist with tears, and utters two words full of indignation, “Toy store.”
I nod in agreement.
“Then treat!”
The kid may not be good at taking shots, but he’s certainly good at calling them.
Just hold still. This won’t hurt a bit.
Icescreammama 
Love your posts! Maybe it’s a fellow mum of three boys thing? Or just the fact that you are hilarious!
well, hot dang, i’ll take both those reasons!! 🙂
They sound like a handful, those boys.
please.. that wasn’t even close to bad.. here’ s the last time i wrote about flu shots…
https://icescreammama.com/2012/12/12/a-lost-child-a-crazy-mom-and-a-shot-in-the-heart/
Two words
Flu MIST !
Sent from my iPhone
Sometimes I still want to hide and kick when I have to take a shot.
Growing up with two sisters, and only knowing the dynamic of three girls, I love reading about your three boys. It’s so different, and so much fun.
thank you. boys are definitely different animals. 🙂
I loathe shots.
there were warm cookies, don’t worry.
In the needle?
oh man! hahah
You are such a talented friggin writer. “Calling the shots,” I love the wordplay. 😉
And wrangling kids into getting shots? Braver souls have cowered at the prospect.
thank you sooo much.
I love your last line! I also love your description of your youngest as “a rabid baby bear covered in butter.”
As someone who hates getting shots, I can relate to this on many levels. Well done.
It was a good move not to tell them before they got into the car.
But man, that baby bear has your number. Toy store AND treats? Sucker. 😉
Mine get theirs at school. And it’s the Flumist. Oddly, my oldest prefers the shot. Something about the quick pinch versus liquid being shot into his brain. Huh.
oh i’m a sucker, but only half the time now. first things need to get done. have never done the flu mist, i think because it was for kids over 5.. maybe and we always had a divide. apparently, it was all for one and one for all.
Oh I just love shot time!! Glad you all survived!!
lived to buy toys and eat treats! 😉