Every once in a while, my dear friend, who is a nursing professor among many other things, rings me up to request that that I truck all my kids to her classroom where the nursing students can practice well-child exams on them. There is no disrobing, so my kids are quite happy to comply. It also helps that she lets them pick all kinds of treats and gifts afterward to thank them for their participation.

Here we are getting warmed up.  Each student is assigned a child to measure, weigh, test, poke, and generally assess.

The all love the one-on-one attention.  That’s what I tell myself anyway.

This kid is so ticklish around the neck, I honestly can’t imagine how she felt his lymph nodes. And that dummy in the wheel chair behind them, we’ll meet him later.

A student explains her findings to her patient.

Joel getting his eyes checked. And good thing too because I think it’s been a while since I have taken him…

The students are extremely thorough and take lots of time with each child. Now that I think about it, it’s probably much more comprehensive an exam than they actually get at the average doctor’s office.

Joseph being totured, er, I mean, having his various sensations and facial nerves tested. Facial nerves! How often does your well-child check include that?

All in all, they really have a great time and get a very thorough assessment for free. Plus, they leave with parting gifts! You can’t beat that. My thanks to the staff and students at Brown Mackie College.

There is, however, one thing more I must mention. One thing that makes the experience a tad surreal, almost in B-movie horror flick kind of way.

It’s…

It’s….

It’s all the dummies.

They’re in all the beds, along the walls, in wheelchairs. And all with strange expressions on their faces. I would bet money the come alive at night….when no one is there….

These are not cute babies. I tried to think them cute. I really did, but it’s just not there. They look like sinister little gnomes.

But this guy….

He’s getting into the narcotics at night. I guarantee it.