Braces

Well, remember my August, 2010 post? That my adorable little (then) 7 year old would need braces? That day has come. Our dentist decided to not bond (or glue) expandables onto Carlie's teeth, but instead use the appliance (i.e. retainer) expander. She leaves them in 24/7 with exceptions of immediately after eating (she rinses them off) and if she swims in a lake (I thought this one was weird, but didn't ask...). She did better than I expected. No tears, and only a few gags as the dentist shoved these GIGANTIC pieces of plastic and wire into my daughter's petite mouth. We will be wearing these expanders for 6-8 months....think Christmas....New Years. I pain with her. Often I feel as if it is unfair that parents feel the physical pain on their children. I would gladly wear these braces for her...but that's just not the way it works. Hopefully next year at this time....I'll have an update and a picture .... with straighter teeth :) Oh, and I much emptier wallet.

This picture doesn't clearly show the top retainer, which is twice the size of the bottom one. With three different screws to slowly mid-evilly stretch her upper palate. Ugh...sound gross, doesn't it?

Canal Days

Think Bluffton Street on a Vera Cruz level. That is the New Haven Canal Days. Yes, there is fried food. Yes, there are rides. And yes, there are carnival folks creeping you out everywhere. Carlie has graduated to the "big" rides. I - being the chicken that comes with adulthood - can no longer ride the rides without being sick. So insert Samantha. Carlie's little BFF from church, dance class, softball team, not to mention I run with her mom three mornings a week....our paths cross often. Samantha enjoyed the festival with Carlie, with both of them riding each ride a minimum of 8 times. Their loud giggles and ear to ear smiles just melted my heart each time. I remember my Bluffton Street Fair Days...I don't remember the creepy carnies, but I do remember laughing so hard that each year I couldn't wait to go back. I hope Carlie has those memories too.

T-Ball

This is our last year of T-Ball for the Gongaware household. I am assistant coaching this year. Let me describe T-Ball for you. It is a collaboration of 4 to 6 year olds...some of which want to be playing ball. Some of which do not. There is a lot of coaxing to run bases. A lot of reminding that we don't play in the dirt. A lot of telling them no, you can't go get a drink in the middle of an inning while you are in the field. And some directing to first base...instead of running to third base. This is Lucy's second year of T-ball....and I can clearly tell she is ready to be moved up a division. Now there are some other girls on the team...not so much. Lucy appears to be having a good time, and she can really sock that ball off of the Tee. Looking forward to giving up my coaching title next year and sitting in the stands to be a fan.

Notice Lucy's great throwing form...

If there was audio to this picture, you would hear me saying...look at the batter Lucy....watch the batter Lucy.....watch the ball!!

Great form off of the Tee too :) Thanks Daddy for teaching them....

Awards Day

Yesterday was the last day of school. As I sit here and type this...both girls are still zonked out in their beds. I am slowly getting glimpses of what lies ahead. Me drinking coffee, reading the paper, checking on them..(still sleeping)...unloading the dishwasher, having breakfast, checking on them (still sleeping)...devotions, watching some TV, check FaceBook, checking on them (still sleeping). Okay...now I am ready to start poking them! Although this week has been exhausting with ball games each night at 7:00 p.m....which puts them into bed nearly an hour and a half past their normal bedtime. It really took the toll on Lucy yesterday in the form of tears for the littlest things. So I decided since it was my birthday today, I would go into work a little late and just enjoy a slow morning. I had no idea that they would also take advantage of this morning!

Carlie was recognized at the Awards Banquet yesterday for her Accelerated Reading (AR) points. She broke all kinds of records, and they got to 6th grade before anybody reached her point level. She was so proud...and we were proud of her too! The school has a "1,000 Point Club" and there have only been two people in Central history to reach it. The girl yesterday was awarded this, and she got a Barnes & Noble gift card. To which Carlie immediately looked at Jeff across the gym and mouthed, "I want that!" She reached 436 points by the end of this year. If I was a betting gal, I'd be betting she'll make that 1,000 point club someday.

Carlie and her "besties."

After school, we swam, ate lots of sugar and just kicked off summer in a great fashion. Summer is hard for working parents. I want to stay home and play every day too. I'll just make an intentional effort of making the most of every minute that I do get to spend with them. I know this may sound silly...but I can't believe I am going to have a 3rd and 1st grader next year. And Carlie will be NINE this year?!? Doesn't NINE just sound old? Does to me...