Waterworld

We had our "company picnic" at Waterworld tonight. They rented out the whole place and had free food and drinks and all the water park action you can handle. Literally unfortunately. More on that in a minute.

The boys had been hearing about this place for a while now and where all fired up to go. They were counting the days on the calendar until it finally came. So, today they were pacing the floor until it was time to go. When we got there, they played at the little kid splash area and then went over to the little kid slide area. Totally awesome. They were having a blast. We took a break, got some chow and then headed back to the slides. More awesomeness ensued. Right up until some kid got pushy and sent Jake eye-first into the metal railing by the steps. Nice goin' douche. Cindy was right next to him when it happened and picked him up right away. I didn't see it happen, only heard Jake crying and then ran over. The first thing I saw was blood on the back of Cindy's shirt. Gulp. Jake had about a half inch long laceration to his right eyebrow and was bleeding like Rocky Balboa. F me. Picnic over.

We went to the med station and the 13 year old EMT put a butterfly bandage on it. How sweet. Opting for actual medical treatment, we went over to Mendy's Place at John C. Lincoln. Basically it's just an emergency room for kids only. Ironically enough it's right across the street from where I work. By the time we got there, Jake wasn't even concerned about his eye. He just wanted to check that place out. The staff was nothing short of amazing. Got him checked in, triaged, and zipped right to a room. The whole time, he was his usual stoic self. Not one complaint. He had to wait about 30 minutes for the pain med to numb his eyebrow up so Brady and I ran to Jack in the Box and got him a shake. We got back in time for Jake to take one sip and then his Dr. came in to stitch him up.

This is the part I want to convey perfectly. So, a little back story. When I was a kid, I got lots of stitches. Each time, I went batshit insane when the Dr. came at me with a needle. I'm talking straight jacket made for children insane. Jake, well...he just laid there and held Cindy's hand. He said, "Ow" twice but didn't even flinch. He got three stitches total. The Doc and nurse were very impressed to say the least. Jake is no small fellow and could have put up quite a fight, but he didn't. When the Dr. said it will go really quickly if he stayed as still as possible, Jake heard him loud and clear. My heart is swollen with pride for that little man. He is everything I am not and wish I could be. My little hero.

There is something to be said for Brady in all this. When he saw Jake crying at the water park he cried too. When Jake calmed down, Brady did too. He was disappointed to have to leave early, but more concerned for his big bro. When Jake was in triage, Brady held Jake's hand and rubbed his back and gave him kisses. When we went to get Jake a milkshake, Brady wouldn't take a sip until we got back to Jake's room because he wanted to show him how perfect it looked and let him have the first sip. Brady you are the best little brother in the world, hands down. My heart is swollen with pride for you too. You teach me how to love unselfishly everyday and I can't thank you enough for that.

So there you go. Another regular day in the LeBlanc house. Ups, downs, and a happy ending. We are like some sort of goshdarn sitcom come to life, but I can't get enough of it.

Jake's eyes say it all, "Take the effin picture already!"

Brady the waterslidin' machine.

"Ohhhhh...shizzzzzz!"

The coolest triage nurse ever.

Brady gives Jake a little something for his pain.

Hamming it up for the camera.

All done, time to kill a milkshake.