The call that every parent dreads

Got a call today at 3:20, just as I was frantically trying to herd proofs of the magazine over to the designers, from Rachel's preschool. She had a 100 degree fever, they said, and had spent much of the day listlessly sitting around. The most concerning thing was that the kid who usually naps no longer than 45 minutes slept for 2 1/2 HOURS. Plus, she didn't eat any lunch (par for the course, apparently).

I left as soon as I could (actually, at 5:08, way too late to make it on time -- and yet somehow I got to Portland in less than an hour). When I got to school, Rachel didn't say anything but indicated she wanted me to pick her up. I did, and she held on to me for the entire time we walked across the street to my car, settled in the back seat, and just sat, with me cuddling her against my chest. I kept murmuring comforting words, asking if she was OK, etc., but she didn't answer. Poor little thing -- her cheeks weren't red, but they were warm. She had just enough energy to say "wanna go to the park!" and ask for some granola, which of course I gave her.

She perked up quite a bit when we went to Grant Park -- she went down the big slide, insisted I push her "very fast!" on the swings, and raced across the rubber bridge on the play structure. All the while she was wearing the dress she picked out for Picture Day at school -- a lovely lace dress with pale yellow flowers and a yellow sash that once belonged to Anne, my cousin David's wife. She gave it to us a year ago and I was overwhelmed by the gesture. It's still a bit big for Rachel but she looks completely adorable in it anyway, and I'm sure she'll be able to wear it this time next year. A grandma pushing her grandkids on the swings was so taken by the dress that she remarked on it, saying it looked just like the dresses she remembered from HER childhood. Thanks again, Anne!

By the time we got home, Rachel was back to her perky self -- crying a little, but then I took her temperature and it was back down to 95 or so. I changed her into her pajamas, which delighted her -- although I was careful to say that I only did so because she was sick and this was a SPECIAL OCCASION. She ate a good dinner of rotini, string cheese and challah, and I treated her to juice because I knew the fluids would be good for her. And I gave her a chocolate cookie for dessert, but not before lecturing her about the importance of eating the school lunch, even though she complained she didn't like the macaroni. I told her she was the only kid in America who DOESN'T like macaroni, but she wasn't impressed. I also tried to tell her that the reason she got sick was because she wasn't eating enough. And she replied that not eating had nothing to do with it.

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Random Rachel sayings tonight:

Rachel: I want you to come to college with me.
Me: Why?
Rachel: Because I don't want you to be all alone!

More talk about college and what will happen when she leaves:
Rachel: Will you cry?
Me: Probably.
Rachel: I'm worried you'll cry!

Discussing Halloween costumes:
Rachel: Evan is going to be BATMAN! Sawyer will be a elephant. A baby elephant! Lila Bean is going to be...kitty cat!

Apropos of absolutely nothing at all:
Rachel: Wouldn't it be funny if people didn't have an eye and a face? Because then they couldn't see! Even if they went backwards, then they'd bonk into the door!

Apropos of absolutely nothing at all, Part II:
Rachel: One day in school I saw a ladybug and I tried to pet him, and it stopped to pet us and it scurried away. You know what color it was? Blue! Instead of red, it was blue!