Two weeks ago we took the kids to feed the ducks at Lake Anne. Lake Anne is set around a 1970’s planned community. Consequently there are lots of heavy geometric cement seventies art and architecture. Kyle was fascinated with the fountains and sculptures and wanted to climb on everything. So he did. He climbed to the top and shouted, “Mommy, I am on top of the world. I am on top of the world.”
As the night was winding down we passed the “on top of the world” sculpture. Kyle wanted to climb again. Dave had him, I had Eli. After a few minutes of climbing, I said, “Let’s go,” and Kyle headed down my side of the sculpture. Kyle was coming fast and I couldn’t reach him so I said, “be careful.” As the words came out of my mouth Kyle was pivoting and pivoted himself off of the sculpture. I helplessly watched him fall and “smack.” It was so loud. Kyle landed on his face. There was lots of blood, loose and chipped teeth. He kept saying, “Mommy I need you.”
A frantic ride to the ER, including lots of blood and screaming, some lost car keys, and a pair of irrational parents set the situation up right for a direct entry to see the Dr. (no wait in the ER waiting room). Kyle was ok. The Dr. said landing on his face was a good thing. His face acted as a crumple zone. Just a “head injury” they said. “what?” That’s what they called it. In essence he had a concussion and a very swollen and banged up mouth.
Fast Forward.
This past weekend: Wolf Gap Camping Ground on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Dusk. First night as a family sleeping in the Eurovan.
After four face plants, more blood, and many tears we had to enforce the time-out ultimatum. “Kyle walk, don’t run. If you run, you will have to go to time out in the stroller. Yes, strapped into the stroller.” He persisted so we reminded him about the hospital. He was with his friends, Quinn and Max. Nothing could stop him. Thankfully, we all survived. What to do with our exuberant little two year old boy?