But She’s So Young!

Emma is being fitted with braces on Wednesday. I know, shocking to me too! The dentist mentioned we should take her to an orthodontist when he cleaned her teeth because he noticed some significant crowding. About a month later I finally got around to making the appointment after asking around for some referrals. I found one that was close by and highly recommended and I really like her. Emma’s first appointment was a lot of picture taking and mold making. Then yesterday Rob and I went for a parent consultation with the orthodontist.

She walked us through the Damon system and discussed why this is the best course for Emma right now. She has some permanent teeth that have been blocked off by the crowding above, and unless there is some space made for them now, they will be coming up in some ugly places. This system is different than the old school method of rubber bands and teeth extraction because it uses a wire that has a memory and gently eases teeth into place instead of pulling them like rubber bands would. The brackets allow for the wire to wiggle a bit so it is far less painful as well. The whole process is done in phases. Phase one is about 10 months in braces followed by about 3 years of a retainer until all of her permanent teeth are in. Then there is another year in braces and finally a permanent retainer is attached to the back of her teeth to keep them in place.

Emma is very nervous about it now because nobody else in her class has braces, and she saw the “Do Not Eat List”. The whole idea wasn’t so bad until she saw that she can’t eat whole fruit, caramel apples, pretzels, chips, nuts etc. She talked to Aunt Erica about her experience with braces, and I think that helped her a bit. We’ll just have to cut things up more and take smaller bites. I am also nervous for her, but keep reminding her (and me) that while other girls have to worry about braces in high school, her teeth will already be perfect!

Ceramics and Clay

Hunter and Emma just finished a ceramics class that was offered through the community. They went every week for 6 weeks and made some really fun things! They still have some projects curing on the shelves at the studio, and we’ll add those to the gallery too when they’re ready. (Also in the gallery are pictures of Emma’s projects from her after-school class where she painted ceramics. Hunter took a “Mad Science” class and it was a blast, but there weren’t any projects to include in the gallery.) It was great fun for them and the little girls loved it too because we would play at the park next door during the class and watch the ducks on the pond there. We even fed the ducks sometimes which Hannah and Sabrina especially loved.

Now that this class is over, it’s on to bowling class, and although the kids were super late to their first class because we got stuck at an orthodontist appointment for Emma, it looks to be great fun as well. I just may need to bring a roll of quarters to keep Hannah busy at the video games because she would love to bowl right along with the big kids.

Calling All First Grade Girls

Top-Secret Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B. (And Me!) is a book that Emma just loves. There is a whole series of Junie B. books that the kids really relate to because “she” thinks a lot like they do. I discovered this book when my friend Mary and her daughter Ashley were telling me how much they liked it, and how Emma would love it too. I thought they were right and gave the book to Emma for Christmas. It is still one of her favorites. Inside are entries with a page that “Junie B.” wrote, and on the next page is a space for Emma to write what she thinks. There are also entries for artwork and your favorite jokes and nicknames. Junie B. lists her favorite food as Fruit Loops—the kids get a laugh out of that one every time. Emma took a wallet sized school picture and cut out her face which we taped on the front cover and it looks so cute. Emma loves to write in it, and I think she has finished filling in the pages, but I still catch her erasing and rewriting entries. Either she has changed her mind or figured a better way to write it, I’m not sure. I think it is the perfect way to get kids to write about who they are and get some confidence in expressing themselves. With Junie B’s entry there too, it gets them thinking about clever answers, not just a bland yes or no. Highly recommended!

But That’s Not Fun!

Recently it has come to my attention that our older children have little concept of what it means to work. On Saturday, they were asking what fun thing we would do that day, and when I answered that today we were catching up on work around the house- I was met with moans and whines, “but Mom, Saturday is supposed to be a fun family day!” How did this happen? How is it that my children are expecting to be entertained all of the time, and have to be lectured and prodded and bribed every time there is work to be done? I suppose a certain amount of that is typical, and don’t get me wrong, they are good kids, but I had reached a point of serious frustration. How are these kids going to grow up and make their own way in the world? Isn’t that one of my principle jobs as a parent? I tried to explain that my job is to teach them how to work so they can grow up and live on their own. To which I get the answer: “you’re mean.”

Shortly after this conversation with the kids I went and vented to my sweet husband. He told me he would take care of things and I went to take a shower. As I was gathering my things I heard him sit the kids down and start logically explaining why it’s important to help out and that today would be a work day. He was about twenty seconds in when one child, who shall remain nameless, interrupted and said with a sigh, “Is your speech over yet?” Well, that was the end of nice, logical Daddy, and I had to laugh because he was taking over so I wouldn’t lose my temper. I heard in a very loud voice, “Your day is over!” followed by tears from all of the kids. And then it really became a workday. They did one job after another all day long until dinner time.

I tried to start a chore chart and it hasn’t gone well. After school there just isn’t much time after homework and classes to do much else. I feel a little guilty too because I want them to have some free time to just play. I have found myself being more of a nag than before, and the kids are still resisting. Please, if you have any ideas for chore solutions tell me! I want them to have regular responsibilities and feel that they not only contribute, but are a necessary part of the family.

Easter Break

This year for Easter, we went up to visit with Nana and Papa. Their house just happens to be about equidistant for all of us, so we lovingly refer to it as “The Halfway House.” It was so much fun because all of my siblings were able to come, and so all of the cousins could play together. We really fill their house to capacity now, and there will be two more baby girls in July! They were all so cute, and Hunter and Emma loved having the little ones come looking for them to play.

The day before Easter was the final performance of “Savior of the World,” a play that my Dad has been rehearsing for months. He played the apostle Phillip and surprised all of us with his long hair and mustache when we arrived at the house. He had an awesome beard in the play too, and it was hard to find him on stage because he looked so different. I couldn’t even find him until my grandma pointed him out to me. I guess mothers have that radar. The play was so nice; with beautiful sets, costumes, and music. It was really impressive to see how well a bunch of amateurs can do when they all come together and work at it. Of course, we all think that Papa stole the show in spite of his strong, silent character. “He ate?!” was one of my favorite lines he had. The pictures I took are in the gallery, but they just didn’t turn out all that well, so you’ll need to use your imagination a little.

Sunday was Easter and the kids all had an egg hunt in the house. Everyone had a blast looking for eggs, and there were plenty for all of the kids! This is the first year that I have done the whole Easter Outfit thing. The girls all had special dresses that I bought off of Ebay, and then made hair bows to match. Hunter has his very first real suit which was also an Ebay find. I have done a lot of online shopping lately because going to the stores is just so exhausting. Again, there are photos in the gallery!

Monday was my birthday, and it has been a long time since I have had the whole family to celebrate with. In fact, maybe ten years!? Nana made Rouladen, a German stuffed beef dish that I never prepare myself, but just love. And for dessert we had an Apple Cherry Cobbler A-la-mode that was fantastic! I got some very thoughtful gifts, cards, and a sweet message on my machine. It was a great day, thanks to everyone!

The rest of the visit was spent enjoying each other’s company and just hanging out. Although, before I left I did take some pictures of Matt and Ashley for their wedding announcements. The beauty of this digital camera is that I could take a ton of pictures without worrying about the price of the film or developing. So, I really took advantage of it and took 198 photos! Lucky for you all, I only posted 36 of my favorites in the gallery!

Rob flew home on Tuesday so he could get back for work. So the kids and I drove the 8 hours home on our own on Friday. Thank goodness for DVD players! The kids watched 3 movies on the way home. I was so tired when I got home that I gave Rob a big hug and kiss, helped unload the car and put the kids to bed, and then put myself to bed too. I guess I’m not a drive all day kind of girl. It’s good to be home, and back in the groove: School, activities, scouts, classes, playdates, laundry, dishes… You know all of that fun stuff.

Emma’s Song

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9N5k5szyA

A few weeks ago, Emma came to me and asked if I would help her write a song. I told her I don’t know much about writing songs, but we could try it together. She said there was one she likes to sing in the shower, so we sat down together. She started to dictate the words as I wrote them, and we only got about two lines in before something happened and we were distracted and never came back to finish it. The next morning I found the lyrics written in her notebook on top of her dresser. She had written them out before she went to sleep that night. I thought that she did such an amazing job on them, and was so impressed!

Shortly after, the school announced they were having a talent show and I suggested she sing her song. There was only one problem, we had no music. She told me it sounds kind of like the Sheryl Crow song, “Soak up the Sun.” I knew I was useless in trying to get this done for her, so I contacted my brother Matt who has been known to write a song or two and play along with his guitar. I asked if he would give it a try and send me some music for her lyrics. He said it would be a fun project to write music for someone else’s lyrics, and about a week later sent me an instrumental track and one with his vocals for Emma to learn the tune. Matt did such an awesome job! She loves the music, but changed some of her original lyrics once she read over them again, because she said they didn’t make sense. Here are her final lyrics:

I’m Gonna Let the Sun Shine

I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day
I don’t care what’s coming in my way
I’m gonna play and let it shine
I’m gonna show the world my face

I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day
And do with what I got
And face the things I don’t

So I’m gonna stand up
and show the world, something good
I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day
and make the world,
make it a better place

I’m gonna show the world what I can do
I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day
I’m takin fast steps out of town

And I’m not gonna stop
to show the world my plan
I’m gonna show them all to let the sun shine
I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day

So I’m gonna stand up
to show the world, something good
I’m gonna let the sun shine on a rainy day
And I’ll make the world,
I’ll make it a better place

She has sung the song over and over again in preparing for the Talent Show, but still wanted to have a copy of the words with her on stage. She did an awesome job, and we are so proud of her. It is so fun to see her thoughts combine with music and come out in such a great performance. How many people can say they’ve written a song with their uncle at just six years old?