"Boogeritis"

I was sitting in my boys bed last night, reading them one of the several books that we do nightly. We started a new book called, "Whoopi's Book of Manners". It is a great book of all of the great "do's and don'ts" of etiquette. The number one "no-no" was picking your nose. The boys just giggled and even commented that they do that too. (Of course they do, don't all boys?).

This started a huge conversation about BOOGERS. What to do if you have boogers in your nose (use a tissue). Shep then got out of bed, ran to the restroom to show me how to get tissue and he brought half of the roll back with him for one small blow demonstration. We then talked about "where" to blow your nose (in the privacy of your bathroom is best and NOT at the dinner table). And then our conversation took a turn for the worse....."Mommy, what happens to you if you EAT YOUR BOOGERS?". After my gag reflex, I instantly made up the story of BOOGERITIS. This is how it goes....

Well, once little boys pick their noses, germs get on their fingers. Then they deposit these ooey-gooey-slimey-green germs in their mouths. (Shep called these Water Boogers). Then the "water boogers" go down your throat and into your tummy and then your tummy starts to rumble and then you get a tummy ache from all of the water booger germs that have swirled around in your stomach. (Picture me making very loud rumbling noises).

Then Mommy has to take you to the doctor and it is quite embarrasing because the doctor will ask you "why" your tummy hurts and you must confess, "I ate my boogers". (The boys both had very wide eyes at this point). The doctor would shake his head, "Tsk, Tsk" he would say, " it looks like you have a very bad case of BOOGER-ITIS.". Then the only way to fix this problem is to get a Boogeritis Shot and the needle is t-h-i-s b-i-g! ( i stretched both of my hands out wide). Then you would have to go to school and tell your teacher why you missed school and you would have to tell her and all of your friends that you have Boogeritis and they would all laugh and make fun of you for eating your boogers.

I am confident that my boys won't be eating their boogers. I just pray that I didn't warp them for life with my crazy story!