Dancing at the Dentist

Monday morning Henry had a math test.  He got a 100% on it, but the very best part was he checked his work.  I always tell the boys to check their work because most of their errors are silly mistakes that they should catch if they would just check their work.  Usually they merely glance at their paper and say they checked it.  But that morning Henry actually went over each problem and told me that he found an error and corrected it.  I was so happy.  He was happy that he caught it, too, so now maybe he'll check his work every time.

The kids had their dentist appointment this week.  I felt like I passed the semi-annual parent test when they came back with no cavities.  They love going to the dentist, while I am always secretly apprehensive that they'll have a cavity and I'll feel completely guilty and responsible.  While waiting for her turn, Caroline danced to her reflection in the door.  After seeing the boys, the dentist came out and informed me that Henry was ready for braces and that Josiah had one more baby tooth to lose before he was ready for braces. Henry still seems quite young, but I guess we'll be researching orthodontists in the near future.  Caroline was Miss. Independent at the dentist and was quite insistent that I stay in the lobby while she went back by herself.  After she had her cleaning and the dentist was in her booth area, the receptionist said I could go back and talk to the dentist.  I went back and once in eyesight of Caroline, she quietly mouthed, Go out!  Go back out!  I love you, too.  Looking at her mouth, we can see her two front teeth just under the surface of her gums.  It's been so, so long since she's had front teeth that I can't even imagine how different she will look.  Right now she has three missing up top and the fourth tooth is incredibly loose.  She eats from the side of her mouth a lot right now.

Josiah started the higher level karate class this week.  The first class was hilarious to watch.  These kids are a lot bigger (early teens) and just quicker over all.  They did this new form routine and at first Josiah was trying to keep up with them and learn it.  He was able to keep up when the Instructor went through it because he went incredibly slow and emphasized each step.  After two slow go-throughs, the students did it on their own.  They were so quick that Josiah just stood still with giant eyeballs.  He'll get there, but it'll take him some time.  It's good for him to be challenged.  Henry and Caroline are loving Josiah's new karate class, because they each have a friend to play with.  The weather has been nice enough that they've been able to play in the field next door.  Henry and his buddy J.J. are playing on the giant tire way in the distance.


Josiah's new karate class is on opposite days of the previous class, so we've changed our schedule up a bit.  Because of that, we didn't do karate on Friday and it turned out to be an incredibly relaxing, yet productive day.  The kids took an hour "recess" in the backyard.  They played so well together - they talked and didn't yell, they got along and worked together.  It was wonderful.  About halfway through I opened up the windows in the house to get some fresh air going through.  Once I did that, Caroline kept coming to the window, "Mommy, Mommy, look what I made."  "Mommy, Mommy, guess what?"  It was nearly constant.  I think my reaction went from Oh, she's cute, to Oh my goodness, I don't need to see everything you make, to laughter and resignation that she really was going to show me everything she made and explain it all in vivid detail.  The vast majority of things she made were balls of mud wrapped up in grass.  Each a little present.  While they were outside, I prepared our history lesson and got all the materials out for them to make Roman mosaics.  I filled up all three of our glue bottles to the brim so they each had plenty.  Little did I know how important that would be when Josiah took it upon himself to use enough glue to sink his beans into.  It was so thick it was measurable.  Josiah made a patterned mosaic.

Henry had a nautical theme for his - water, sailboat, sun, clouds, & birds.

Caroline made herself.  They had a good time and it was so relaxing because they weren't rushed to finish it before some activity that afternoon.


Todd's cousin sent the kids Valentine's Day presents which they loved.  It came a few days before the 14th, so Caroline was able to wear her heart dress to CC, which fell on Valentine's.  Her reaction to her star pants was hilarious.  She kept saying, "Oh my goodness, you won't believe this.  Izabelle has these same pants.  That is so cool.  I can't wait to tell her."  Someone else from church has the same ones, too.  She loves them!

At CC the kids all ate too much candy.  The kids in Caroline's class passed out Valentine's - the little cards with candy or something attached.  Josiah's class went the easy route and the kids just passed out candy - no note necessary.  We got them some candy as well, although as I was putting the Reese's peanut butter eggs and Robin eggs in their cartons, it dawned on me that those were Easter candies.  No one complained about the mixing of the holidays.

Henry had a good day at church today.  When he got to his classroom, they had a balloon on the door and a card that said "Henry's birthday."  He said his teacher's got him donuts and a Fruit by the Foot.  They definitely made him feel special and he had a good day.  When Caroline saw him later with his card taped to his back she melted down that she never gets anything.  Ever.  Nothing.  Ever.  She's going to have a tough time this week when he celebrates his actual birthday.  It's been hard teaching the kids to be happy for other's celebrations/victories/achievements.

Henry's been planning his birthday meals and activities.  He wanted a DeAndre Hopkins cake (Houston Texans football player).  He was convinced that Sam's made one, which if they did, they don't anymore.  Fortunately Todd got a NFL cake ordered.  He's getting excited.  I can't believe he's going to be 8!