FULL SLEEVES...
For some reason (unknown to mom of course) I have always been fascinated with tattoos.  Before I could even verbalize what I was looking at I would point at those I saw who displayed the mystery ink.  By 3, I was describing what my future tattoos would look like.  I wanted an octopus and flames and told stories of riding motorcycles with my dad knowing that my mom would not be happy.  Here I am at 4...creating my very own look.  Obviously full color is my ink preference and I could not have been more happy to show it off.  I walked around the living room with my chest swelled, back arched and a face reserved for the most serious of occasions.  That of course was followed up by a muscle man competition and a series of smiles mom will always want to remember.  I tried to argue my way out of a dip in the tub but it was no luck.  It was soon to follow regardless of the fact I wasn't ready to surrender my ink.  I was forced given washable markers rub right off of sweaty boys and onto everything touched around the house.  I bet you can guess what my first question was post bath..."can I make my tattoos again?"  Mom just keeps saying she likes my "peachy skin" the best.  Only the Lord knows where this great big world of chance will take me and all my precious peachy skin.  Mom knows in her heart that I am a creative pot about to boil over.  I am the perfect combination of reservation and comic relief.  I see prospect and excitement in everything around me.  I love the arts, drama of every kind, dressing up and imaginative play, music, reading, writing and science.  I love to try new things especially if they revolve around these.  Mom has learned so much about the important things in life just by interacting with me; playing and pretending and just getting messy.  I think tattooed 4 year olds make excellent teachers and even better little boys to love on and cherish forever.    

ALLERGY TESTING TAKE 3...
Ever feel stuck?  I do or at least I did.  We have been trying (test by test) to discover why I have such a tendency to develop sinus infections.  And why those infections linger so.  They seem to return just a matter of weeks after completing an antibiotic.  I had allergy testing done at 2.5 years, but all areas tested were negative.  The allergist shared that often times little people do not have the antibodies to show a reaction and suggested we repeat the testing at age 4.  Here we are for part 2 of the age 4 testing.  Part 1 was inconclusive; nothing reacted not even the histamine control.  I was recently sick with strep turned Scarlet Fever so I had taken many doses of Benedryl to help with the swelling in my lymph nodes.  The allergist said 4-5 days off of those medications would be plenty and so on day 6 we went in for part 1.  Now the doctor was wondering if my body took longer to rid itself of the drugs or if I was just not showing any allergies.  We made an appointment for round 2 the next month.  This time the testing would be down both my arms and the allergen would be inserted under my skin rather than a scratch test like the previous 2 sessions.  Mom numbed my arms with prescription cream and joked that this is what my tattoo arms would look like later in life.  The thought of my tattoos was enough to keep me happy; I played along.  We were off to see the allergist.  When I saw the tray of needles I was scared.  I had tiny tears fill my eyes as I shook in moms arms.  Mom had to remind me that I was not going to feel the needles because of the cream.  She prayed that was true.  The nurse seemed to be using dull needles as every prick left a hole and every hole produced a drop of blood.  Mom was in shock.  She was not prepared for this and even more frustrated when the test revealed nothing.  We were hoping for a quick fix.  Something to eliminate from my diet or environment that would lead to a healthier me.  She was even more upset after my arms were wiped clean and revealed 30 plus small, blue bruises.  We left feeling even more confused.  The next step would be a scan of my sinuses and another trip to the ENT.  Both the ENT and the allergist had be certain my test would reveal several severe allergies.  We were anxious to hear what they would say next.