Playing Doctor

January 27, 2010

Last summer, Joe and I stopped at a multi-family yard sale. By the time we finally left, we’d spent about $60.

Our SUV was literally packed full of tools, toys, books, and assorted stuff. One of the great buys we found was a toy doctor’s bag, overflowing with toy doctor’s tools.

It cost us 50 cents.

Grace has gotten our 50 cents’ worth of enjoyment out of that medical bag at least 10 times over.

We’ve all been her patient – Joe and me, her babies and stuffed animals, even the cats if they hang around in the living room too long.

This week, it was Joe’s turn.

I check you out, Grace told him, right before she whacked him on the knee with her little reflex hammer.

You have good refex, Daddy! Good job!

She put the hammer back into her tool kit and found her stethoscope.

Be still, she scolded. I listening to your heart. She gave him a stern look and continued listening.

With the stethoscope around her neck.

Your heart sounding good, Daddy. Good job.

Without warning, she jammed her toy thermometer into his mouth. Joe coughed once, and I reminded him that she could’ve taken her temperature in a different location.

He didn’t find my humor all that funny.

Daddy, you are happy or sad? Happy or sad? Smiley? Frowny?

The thermometer has a smiley face and a frowny face, each with corresponding temperatures. Joe apparently waited too long to report his temperature, so Grace decided for him.

You happy, Daddy! Yeah! She clapped for him.

You know, the most dreaded part of any doctor’s appointment comes at the end.

You need a shot to stay healthy, Daddy. I give you a shot.

“That’s right, Daddy. You need a shot to stay healthy! Maybe you should get five shots! We want you to be very healthy!” I chimed in from the couch.

Joe covered his face with his arm and boohooed like a girl.

Grace and I laughed and laughed.

Five shots, Daddy! We want you to be very healthy!

Every time she gave him a shot, he jumped and started crying all over again.

Don’t cry, Daddy! You healthy! You a brave little boy! I give you a sticker, okay? A sticker make you feel better.

He mumbled something about a stiff drink making him feel better.

That may have been the best 50 cents I ever spent.

Happily submitted to Tell Me Thursday, Things I Love Thursday, A Thousand Words Thursday, Frugal Friday, PhotoStory Friday, Friday’s Foto Finish Fiesta, and Give Me Your Best Shot

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sarahstraus said:

Haha! We have that same doctor's kit (got it as a 1st birthday present) and what cracks me up is how different kids play with it differently. We have a forehead thermometer so Lily puts the thermometer up to your forehead. She also thinks the “shot” is a medicine syringe and puts it in our mouth for medicine. But then she goes to her toy kitchen sink and “fills” it with water for us. Monkey see monkey do!

# 28 January 2010 at 12:07 pm

Lori said:

So sweet! What a great story and your little girl is so cute

# 28 January 2010 at 1:07 pm

The Mom Jen said:

Oh my gosh what a great post! Here's hoping this is the start of her successful medical career!

# 28 January 2010 at 2:19 pm

FeelsLikeHomeBlog (author) said:

Thank you I sure hope it's the beginning of some great professional career, but I'll leave that up to her.

# 28 January 2010 at 5:05 pm

adventuremomjanna said:

Awww. I would love to have her as my nurse. Great savings too!

If you have some children's books that you just love and want to share with other mothers, please consider linking up to “Feed Me Books Friday” at my blog. We're having lots of fun sharing our favorite books with each other.

# 28 January 2010 at 9:59 pm

lifewithkaishon said:

Awwwwwwwwwww. She is so precious! I love when we have toys that make them SO happy : )! I hope he doesn't need any more shots for a while!

# 29 January 2010 at 5:40 am

ItsToni said:

Oh gosh, you are right – that IS the best 50 cents ever spent!

# 29 January 2010 at 6:04 am

MumInBloom said:

Very sweet! Our 8yr old daughter still likes to play with her set.

# 29 January 2010 at 6:25 am

Lolli said:

That is the cutest story ever!

# 29 January 2010 at 7:36 am

Lolli said:

PS–I've changed my URL–can you update that in your post? Pretty please? http://betterinbulk.net/

# 29 January 2010 at 7:37 am

flutterbyechronicles said:

awww that is so cute.

# 29 January 2010 at 1:49 pm

shopannies said:

sweet

# 29 January 2010 at 6:17 pm

kelligohncrazy said:

Hahaha! Looks like so much fun! ….well for the sweetie, not so much for healthy daddy.

# 29 January 2010 at 7:34 pm

carriekeiser said:

That is a great story and the photos are super!

# 29 January 2010 at 8:59 pm

FeelsLikeHomeBlog (author) said:

Yes. Every week, I get redirected, and I think “I should change that in the post.” and then something else draws me away and I forget to do it. Doing it right now.

# 30 January 2010 at 2:45 am