Brace Face (times two)

We started out the day like this.

Nice, fresh, clean, empty teeth.

But now, we are a little more like this.

It wasn't their favorite afternoon ever, but now my two oldest sprites are the proud owners of a couple of sets of braces.

They are both slurring words to varying degrees and getting used to a mouth full of metal.  There is a bit of inadvertent drooling going on and some struggling with chewing with impediments but they have had a good attitude about it all so far.  I'm actually pretty proud of the way they have managed things. One was more nervous than the other and one is more self-conscious about his or her appearance but they both did great.

And now their faces have railroad tracks. 

Poor babies.  No one loves they day they get braces.

Performing kidlets

For the past couple of weeks, Bryce and Aubrey have been working together on a musical number that they wanted to perform for the solo and ensemble night at Matherson jr high.  

They have practiced and practiced and some parts of this have been harder for them than others, but last night was the performance and I was so proud of them for the effort they have put into this.

So, I thought I'd show them off just a little bit.

My absolute favorite part was the way they bonded as they went through this process.  I just love to see my babies loving each other.  I loved watching them support and encourage each other when it was hard.  I loved watching them hug each other when it was over and I loved listening to them in the car on the ride home as they planned what they will perform when they do this again next year.

I love these monsters more and more the more I get to hang out with them.  I'm awfully glad they are mine.

Parker Plays Basketball

Parker opted to play basketball this year and has done a great job.  We put him into a competitive rec league this year and that was a better fit for him.  He has learned a lot and improved a lot and I am pretty proud of him.  I love watching him play and I love that he wants to hear my input about the game as we drive home each week and that he loves it when I scream cheers for him from the sidelines.  I don't know how long those things will last, but I plan to really enjoy them while I can.

Good ol' basketball.

 

He really did get to play with a great group of kids.