We have a new playground! (Spielplatz).
Over the past week, the old decrepit equipment at our local playground disappeared. The only clue that something good was going to happen was that 2 new benches were installed. But now, just in time for our first full sunny weekend since the fall, a whole bunch of new playground stuff was installed! The whole neighbourhood was out in force, watching their kids play on the new stuff. It was really fun, because it`s been a very grey couple of months, and now it`s sunny and everyone is out and about.
We know many of the parents and kids because they also attend our neighbourhood Kindergarten - so that just adds to the feeling of community.
This past week, Lia had to take a standardized German langugage test (every pre-school kid needs to take it) and she passed with flying colours (better than some of the native German-speaking kids - can you tell that we`re proud? :)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Emergency Preparedness 101
You never really expect that you'll see someone's fingernail pulled out (unless you watch the show 24 a lot), much less your own child's. But that's what happened this weekend. Poor Kaia got a heavy wood lid slammed on her hands. The resulting injury didn't actually break any of her fingers (although they didn't look too good), but the middle finger of her left hand was hurt the most: Kaia's fingernail was ripped right out (!)
Yes, it was as graphic and terrible as you could imagine. We got Kaia to the hospital to have her finger bandaged and X-rayed (and to update her tetanus shot), but before we got there, things were a bit crazy. Every piece of gauze and tape in our first aid kit is designed for grown-ups - so bandaging a tiny, tiny hand (while the child is flipping out) was a big challenge. It also turns out that opening bandaids while you`re shaking is way harder than it should be!
The German health care system has been awesome (as usual). Kaia was seen and treated within 10 minutes in the ER (although getting the X-ray took longer because it was lunch time). We've been to a pediatrician once already to rebandage everything, and we have several more appointments booked.
Kaia is holding up very well and didn't need any painkillers after the first 12 hours or so. It's hard on her parents though... :)
Yes, it was as graphic and terrible as you could imagine. We got Kaia to the hospital to have her finger bandaged and X-rayed (and to update her tetanus shot), but before we got there, things were a bit crazy. Every piece of gauze and tape in our first aid kit is designed for grown-ups - so bandaging a tiny, tiny hand (while the child is flipping out) was a big challenge. It also turns out that opening bandaids while you`re shaking is way harder than it should be!The German health care system has been awesome (as usual). Kaia was seen and treated within 10 minutes in the ER (although getting the X-ray took longer because it was lunch time). We've been to a pediatrician once already to rebandage everything, and we have several more appointments booked.
Kaia is holding up very well and didn't need any painkillers after the first 12 hours or so. It's hard on her parents though... :)
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