"The Incident" -Enjoy, Ali :)

They were in the glorious depths of sleep, they needed it too. Kid #3 had been ill for the whole week... but at LONG LAST he seemed better and had gone back to school that day. We'll call what was repeatedly happening... "incidents" for those readers that have weak tummies. Ah yes the blissful state of sleep, the rest to ready one's self for the next day's adventure. It was NOT to be though -Child #3 was opening their bedroom door.

"Mommy, Daddy, I can't sleep... My bed is too dirty," said child #3.

Mommy groaned while awakening, "oh no... NOT AGAIN?! Did it happen again buddy?"

"NO! Nooooo... NOT THAT... my bed's just dirty, too dirty for me to sleep in." Child #3 seemed convincing... but the smell of the room told a MUCH different story. It SCREAMED "INCIDENT!!!"

Dad spoke for the first time, "Listen bud, I think you were sleeping while it happened... It doesn't smell like dirt to me."

"No, no, it really didn't happen again, it's NOT THAT!" Child #3 was moving towards an emotional nuclear explosion!

(During those types of moments, one sometimes feels that parenting just isn't fair!)

Dad flicked the light switch and there was Child #3 COVERED head to toe with "INCIDENT!"

(...I quit...) thought Mommy! :)

"Dude," laughed Daddy "there's NO arguing on this one... it's all over you -look!" Child #3 looks down and starts to cry.

Maybe it was his GREAT DESIRE to eat normal food again... it had been almost a week of broth, toast, crackers and juice after all! He'd also been kept away from all friends and excursions. Perhaps instead it was sleep that masked the truth of what had happened.

Either way... all such "incidents" had to be dealt with immediately and completely before any could return to the blissful state once more.

**Child #3 was not harmed in the making of this blog... but Mommy and Daddy's sleep SURE WAS!**