Just when you thought you'd heard it all!

I am proud to say that in 5 years of preschool/elementary school, none of my children have come home with head lice.  I know it's bound to happen, and we've had several notes home announcing that the inspections should begin.  One such note even suggested searching your child EVERY night as part of the bedtime routine. 

Supper, Bath, Story, Brush Teeth, Prayers....

Lice Check

That lasted about a day....didn't exactly illicit sweet dreams and

peaceful slumber, ya know???

So, my mom (that's her with my niece Caroline cooking cornbread dressing) spent the past 2 weeks up in Northern Virginia with my sister Rachel and her family.  Big sisters, Caroline and Olivia, were so excited to welcome home a baby brother, Henry.  The visit was wonderful, and the girls loved their time with Charcey.  I can't wait till I can get up to love on my new baby nephew (and did I mention how excited Reeves is to have a boy in the mix?).

Just two days before my mom was supposed to come home, they discovered that Caroline (who is in Kindergarten) had head lice.  Not just a few....that girl was COVERED in the little boogers.  I mean, check out that hair.....it's a dream home!

So they set to work, and in Rachel's words.....

It was a complete and total NIGHTMARE!!!

scrubbing, professional treatments, combs, mayonnaise, shower caps,

big black garbage bags, dozens and dozens of loads of laundry,

vacuuming, cleaning, and worst of all.....

Pick, Pick, PICKING!

(and did I mention that they had a newborn and a 

3 year old around, too)

Good Heavens, bringing a third baby into the mix is stress enough!  I felt sooo sorry for my sister so many miles away.  It was horrible!

When I hadn't heard from her in a few days, I assumed that the ordeal was over, that the lice were long gone.  I decided to phone her last night on my way home from work, and didn't expect what I was about to hear!  I will admit that I found it quite hysterical, and I am still not over it!

Rachel spent 6 hours (and $250) visiting a professional nitpicker!  Yep, that's right, there are people who do that for a living.  Can you imagine?  First of all, can you imagine listing that on your kid's preschool application:

Mom's Occupation:  Professional Nitpicker

I seriously wonder if they would accept your kid if that was your job I am totally joking, but seriously!!  And how creepy would you feel all the time?  I mean, the thought of the lice gives me the geebs....I can't imagine touching those things everyday.  To each his own, to each his own.  

Rach said it was actually pretty cool.  Caroline got to watch "Camp Rock" on a big screen while the nitpicker got to work (with magnifying glasses and bright lights).  Poor thing had the baby and the 3 year old in tow, too, but she said it was worth every minute and every penny.  They found 3 nits in Olivia's hair, and now she is being treated.  Thankfully, Rachel and the baby are fine.  She made it home with some cool tools and peace of mind.  Those nasty boogers are finally gone!

I did a google search, and so far I can't find a nitpicker in my area.  Do you have one in yours?  Let me know....I am fascinated by this.  What gets you into that line of work?  

I did find this article though, and it shed a little more light.  Learn something new every day!!!