flu shot, anyone?

I decided our walk home from school today was as good a time as any to inform the girls of what awaits them after school tomorrow. "Girls, " I announced, "tomorrow after school we're going to the doctor and I'm getting a flu shot. (pause) And after I get mine you're going to get yours." Ella burst into tears. "NO! I DON'T want a flu shot, I'm NOT getting a flu shot, and you CAN'T make me do it!" Despite her sobbing, I could just barely hear Lauren's voice from somewhere behind us. "Can I go first?" Quite amazed, I said,"Why, yes, Lauren. You can go first." Ella sobbed louder. "WAAAAAA. I don't want a flu shot. Nnnnnn-O! Flu shot! WAAAAAAA." I turned to see if Lauren was still behind us (her legs are very short), and right there she was, galloping, flailing her arms with each stride, and celebrating. "Yea-uh! Yeah-uh! Yea-uh!"

Later, on the car ride home from some holiday shopping at the mall, the conversation came up again. Same angst from Ella, same happy acceptance from Lauren. "Ella," she explained, "It just pinches a little bit and then it goes away. I'm not afraid of pinches." And then she laughed like that would be the silliest thing in the world. Predictably, Ella cried, and I was reminded of a comment she had made to me just hours before: "Lauren . . . I know she's really cute and everything, but she really makes me crazy sometimes."