JAD before going to the orthodontist to get braces. He is starting with the top braces only because his 100% overbite currently prevents him from getting the bottom braces on quite yet. See how happy he looks?
In the chair of torture, before anything began. He couldn't believe that I was actually taking pictures.
Having the rear brackets put on. Nowadays they use this fancy blue light to quickly dry the cement on the back brackets. Looks rather futuristic, doesn't it?
The final product. He chose alternating red and black rubber bands so it would match his soccer uniform. We keep telling him he will appreciate the braces and straight teeth later in life. He's not buying it yet. We promise, buddy, you will thank us!
JAD turned thirteen today. I still remember August 8, 1997 when my doctor told me that I needed to report to the hospital because I was having contractions every 8 - 9 minutes and she was ready to induce me. Amazing how time flies. August 9, 1997 I gave birth at 7 a.m. to a beautiful baby boy. Who knew what an incredible human being he'd turn into? Happy 13th birthday, dear son. You are going to make a positive, lasting impression on everyone you meet in life. I love you so very much and am proud that I am your mom.
This blog is one of my favorites that I read all. the. time. Chris Jordan is funny, down to earth, pulls no punches, and is the mother of seven. And you all think I have a lot of kids! This post is so very, very true. Well, of course I have to change a few things: #3 - Insert 'soccer' for 'baseball' and 'football' #6 - I'm already there with the 2 dogs and a cat. Don't mention the farm to K, because we'll probably end up moving far far away from civilization #7 - Preparing delicious, nutritious meals? Not me. I hate cooking. Instead I spend my time trying to figure out how to bake from scratch at high altitude. Much more fun and the kids eat every last bite! #19 - Can't say that one, 'cause I live in Colorado.... But other than those, I think I could've written a lot of them! Hope you got a little giggle as you went through the list...
Go to doctor's office to pick up MAD's shot records for daycare
Go to OfficeMax for school supplies (and have kids buy their 'own' supplies to beat the purchase limit)
Go to Kohls to return pants I bought for JAD (because I found khakis at Old Navy for 1/2 the price!)
Go to WalMart to finish shopping for school supplies
Go to Albertson's to return moldy raspberries (bought day before - irritating!) and get some needed groceries
Why do all this running in one day? Because then I only had to endure one day of hell instead of two. Get my drift?
Yes, I bribed the kids. With their free junior frostys they earned for being good at the dentist. If they behaved all the way through WalMart (that included NOT running through the clothes racks at Kohls and WalMart and NOT whining at me every 10 seconds), I would stop at Wendy's. Bribery is a beautiful thing because, as you can see, they made it. Parenting well is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
I took the next step in having an 'almost' teenager today. The kids have been making their own sandwiches and such for a while now (that's what happens when both parents work, right?). They find stuff in the frig and put it in the microwave, make all sorts of sandwiches, and pretty much fend for themselves during the day. No comments, please, on my lack of parenting skills - particularly in the area of making nutritious lunches. Today, however, JAD took the next step forward. He made mac-n-cheese. All by himself. Does that scare you as much as it did me? That's what I thought. Here's photo proof of his mad cooking skills:
Who said I was old enough to have a teenager? But hey, he's becoming more and more self sufficient! That's a catch-22, isn't it?
Yes, I am a geek. Crazy. Lame. Whatever you want to call me. But these make me happy. I am going to use them to organize my students' writing folders. My life will be easier. Believe me. Here's the pattern I bought: Isn't it just CUTE??? CED and I spent almost an hour in the teacher section of Mardel's today. Oh, abundant, abundant joy. I love getting ready for a new school year...
JAD before going to the orthodontist to get braces. He is starting with the top braces only because his 100% overbite currently prevents him from getting the bottom braces on quite yet. See how happy he looks?
In the chair of torture, before anything began. He couldn't believe that I was actually taking pictures.
Having the rear brackets put on. Nowadays they use this fancy blue light to quickly dry the cement on the back brackets. Looks rather futuristic, doesn't it?
The final product. He chose alternating red and black rubber bands so it would match his soccer uniform. We keep telling him he will appreciate the braces and straight teeth later in life. He's not buying it yet. We promise, buddy, you will thank us!
