1. So I found the remote to our streaming device. And this whole episode is nothing but embarrassing for three key reasons:
- The fact that I was overjoyed, thoroughly de-lighted, to find it.
- The fact that it went missing in the first place after I hid it from my children and couldn't remember where I stuffed it.
- The fact that I found it under a couch cushion. So I actually didn't hide it and forget where I hid it. I never hid it in the first place. But I thought I did. Frightening, just frightening. (Hat tip to Marie who suggested I give the cushions one final look).
Needless to say, we spent the day vegetating.
2. One of the older pair got just a tad agitated the other day because There Was Nothing To Do! Mind you, this was on the first real day of Christmas vacation, at least to my way of thinking. Last week was Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. Loved it all. But it was busy. And on the heels of Christmas came illness. And then a busy weekend. We finally arrived at a slow, lounge around in your jammies, find the box remote and lounge a little longer kind of day . . . and there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.
And I just wasn't up to hearing the whining and kvetching and threatened to start homeschooling bright and early the next morning. While some of the boys cowered under this dire threat, Ainsley responded, "I wanna homeschool tomorrow!"
Oh, how I love having goody-two-shoes in the house.
3. So after Ainsley pleaded and begged, I pulled out Teach Your Child How to Read. Can't say enough for this book whether you have a child who struggles or one who takes to reading like a duck to water. We got to page 30, and Ainsley implored me to continue. About 80 pages in, she was reading simple words and three word sentences. Thrilling!
4. And then there's John. John rode his bike for the first time on Saturday. Dave gave the bike a little tune-up and called John out back. I was in no hurry to come watch, figuring I'd just skip the warm-up and the careening and the falling and the crying, but, no, John got on the bike and rode.
Also thrilling.
And I remember when my second or third child hit some milestone, not especially early, not new for us, and being overwhelmed by the thought that I could have seven children or seventeen children and the first lisped word, those halting early swim strokes, that missing tooth, that initial wobbly ride on the bike -- each and every First would be captivating and heart-rending and full of expectation.
5. And speaking of lost teeth . . . John lost another tooth on Christmas Eve. His mouth looks, well, cuh-razy. Missing teeth, teeth of vastly different sizes, one tooth coming in on a 90 degree angle. We're taking Tim to the orthodontist this afternoon, but, really, the good doctor ought to take a peek at John' s mouth if for no other reason than so he can begin to plan a sumptuous retirement.
Update: Tim's trip to the orthodontist was illuminating. First, he needs oral surgery to yank his wisdom teeth. Second, the estimate for his braces -- was -- words elude me -- staggering. Staggering! And his treatment involves simple cosmetic work, mere tweaking compared to John who is a darn mess, dentally speaking, and Ainsley who has a cross-bite. So the comment about "sumptuous retirement", the comment I thought was nothing but hyperbole? Maybe not. Maybe not.
If you see me on the street wearing a sign that reads "Will write for orthodontic care", don't be too shocked.
6. We woke up one morning with children stacked like cord-wood at the foot of our bed -- John, ramrod straight against the foot-board with Ainsley by his side. This morning I woke up literally dripping sweat because Ainsley is not content to share our bed, oh no, no, she wants to share my pillow as well. Try sleeping next to a three foot long hot water bottle and that is a night spent with my hot-natured daughter by my side.
She's the baby. Yes, she is.
7. And there's nothing like little people at Christmas . . . or the rest of the year either.
As I've been cleaning and sorting all the Christmas haul, I keep moving a large cardboard box from room to room, but can't summon the nerve to pitch the darn thing. I can't seem to look at an empty box without picturing a spaceship or a fort or a Tardis.
They bring so many possibilities, these little people of mine. I'm glad I have them.
Head over to Jen's to add your Seven Quick Takes.
4. And then there's John. John rode his bike for the first time on Saturday. Dave gave the bike a little tune-up and called John out back. I was in no hurry to come watch, figuring I'd just skip the warm-up and the careening and the falling and the crying, but, no, John got on the bike and rode.
And I remember when my second or third child hit some milestone, not especially early, not new for us, and being overwhelmed by the thought that I could have seven children or seventeen children and the first lisped word, those halting early swim strokes, that missing tooth, that initial wobbly ride on the bike -- each and every First would be captivating and heart-rending and full of expectation.
 |
| Doesn't even begin to capture the mess that is his bottom jaw. |
Update: Tim's trip to the orthodontist was illuminating. First, he needs oral surgery to yank his wisdom teeth. Second, the estimate for his braces -- was -- words elude me -- staggering. Staggering! And his treatment involves simple cosmetic work, mere tweaking compared to John who is a darn mess, dentally speaking, and Ainsley who has a cross-bite. So the comment about "sumptuous retirement", the comment I thought was nothing but hyperbole? Maybe not. Maybe not.
If you see me on the street wearing a sign that reads "Will write for orthodontic care", don't be too shocked.
6. We woke up one morning with children stacked like cord-wood at the foot of our bed -- John, ramrod straight against the foot-board with Ainsley by his side. This morning I woke up literally dripping sweat because Ainsley is not content to share our bed, oh no, no, she wants to share my pillow as well. Try sleeping next to a three foot long hot water bottle and that is a night spent with my hot-natured daughter by my side.She's the baby. Yes, she is.
7. And there's nothing like little people at Christmas . . . or the rest of the year either.
As I've been cleaning and sorting all the Christmas haul, I keep moving a large cardboard box from room to room, but can't summon the nerve to pitch the darn thing. I can't seem to look at an empty box without picturing a spaceship or a fort or a Tardis.
They bring so many possibilities, these little people of mine. I'm glad I have them.
Head over to Jen's to add your Seven Quick Takes.
6 comments:
I SO feel your pain on the teeth issue! Both my husband and I were orthodontic nightmares (or dreams, if you're the orthodontist!), so our children were doomed from the start. We thankfully have a great ortho who has a lovely payment plan, and has worked with us to do one child at a time (all of mine have been "followed" by her since they were John's age because their mouths all look identical to his!) And my oldest son spent the past week recovering from the wisdom teeth extraction process - which insurance thankfully covered after our copay.
Oh man, the orthodontist thing stinks. I wish I had had braces when I was younger for cosmetic reasons but I get now why my parents only did it for the two (out of seven) of us! How about some second opinions and other estimates? Do orthos give free initial exams? It would be worth it if it could save you thousands!
I'm hopeful that the wisdom teeth are a medical not a dental issue. We are getting another estimate or two on the braces. The orthodontist wants to evaluate John when he's seven (!). Our pediatric dentist is less concerned about John whose teeth look awful but whose bite looks perfect. Ainsley's teeth look fine, but her bite is kinda sideways.
Expensive all around.
Mary, I understand your parents' decision.
One of my sisters didn't have braces either as a child, because she was "fine". She ended up getting them as an adult to correct some minor bite issues, but my parents had to make that call as well, especially since I was such a disaster...! :)
I think the treatment of teeth is a major cultural divide between the US and Britain. Orthodontics here are mostly just for the very wealthy. You often see news presenters with interesting teeth - it just isn't considered an essential (yet). British people say you can tell an American by their shiny, straight teeth - a bit unreal looking.
Until about 50 years ago, people often had dentures very young, sometimes for their wedding day. Another way to have "perfect teeth"?
Now that people here are a bit wealthier than the preceding generation (at least just about, so far), private dentists are popping up. But we have free dental treatment and orthodontic work, if needed, through age 16. A dental check and polish on the NHS costs us about $15.
Yes, Christine, I think you're right about the divide.
My Mom got denture while pregnant at age 24. THe trouble stemmed from soft enamel and medication she took as a teenager (at least I think that was the deal). It's no wonder Mom refers to the dentist as "Dr. Pain."
I'm having issues of my own and will have root canal sometime this month. Ugh. Living on Ibuprofen probably isn't a sensible alternative. Then there's a nagging gum issue . . .
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