When the Steelers were getting pummeled on Sunday, I decided it was too nice of a day to stay inside and watch TV (especially since we were losing), rounded up the girls and we went out back for a walk in the "forest" as the girls call it -- it's really just the Wintergreen gorge which happens to run through our back yard.

Our neighbors have groomed elaborate trails through all our backyards for ATV riding, so it's a nice easy walk in the woods and we go down and throw rocks in the water, sometimes we bring back fossils or leaves for the girls to take to their preschool show and tell.

On Sunday, my older daughter brought back something we never intended.

A tick.

I didn't even notice it until Monday morning (she put on her own jammies that night), so this disgusting bug fed off my daughter's blood for a good 12 hours or so.

I was helping her get dressed for school Monday when I noticed something in the middle of her chest. On closer inspection, I knew immediately what it was and fought the instinct to scream "eeewwwww," knowing it would just make matters worse.

Darn husband was at hunting camp, so taking care of this tick was up to me.

"OK sweetie, I think you have a sliver, let's go downstairs & I'll just get it out, OK?" -- I managed to sing-song.

I have edited enough stories about ticks to know that I needed to get a hold of it at the head, so I got as close to her skin as I could and started pulling gently. Except that thing was not letting go. I can't believe how hard I had to yank to get that sucker out.

I'm pretty sure I killed it, but I wasn't taking any chances, so I flushed it.

I'm sure this is just the first of the bug battles I'll fight with my kids. I live in fear of the day they come home with lice -- doesn't every kid get that?

Sometimes being a Mom is disgusting.