scarlet fever

it feels like a real oldy-timey diagnosis, but james has scarlet fever as a consequence of his strep throat (or maybe strep nose? it isn't obvious where the primary source of infection is). four days of fever and two days of an advancing bumpy red rash went from something we were not worried about to something we were a little worried about. james' preschool teachers seemed more than just a little worried at the end of the day yesterday, and with good reason. he did not look good. still doesn't, really. but after two doses of antibiotic the rash is a bit better. after a few swabs of antibacterial goo to that poor nose, well.... that doesn't really look any better yet.

my friend reminded me of the little boy in the story "the velveteen rabbit" and his scarlet fever infection that lead to the burning of all his toys and bedding. i don't think we will have to burn anything here at the staple house. plus: his favorite well loved toys are dinosaurs, a stuffed animal  panda, and a large dragon. we can't risk those toys being made real by some irresponsible fairy.