Oh, it’s the middle of summer and it’s time for this momma to take a break. Luckily another momma feels the same, so we’re packing our bags, leaving without the spouse or kids, and hiding in a bed and breakfast on the coast of Lake Michigan. And, I can’t wait.

Thursday couldn’t come any sooner.

This is the second year in a row that I’ve done this, and I must admit that I’m really looking forward to it. I can leave work and chores behind. I’ll be able to read, if I want, for hours without being interrupted. My friend wants to do the same thing (she’s got 3 boys!), so we both won’t get upset if the other doesn’t want to chat.

Bliss. Joy. Peace. Quiet. Perhaps a bit of shopping. Who knows. It will be worth the money we’re paying (even if I really can’t afford it) and then some. School is not far off, and our hockey schedule is about to ramp up since HockeyBoy made a travel team. I thought I was in the rink a lot before. He’ll be on the ice a minimum of three times a week, but it could be up to five. Oh joy.

So, even though I’ve been sparse around here lately – work is just incredibly busy – I’ll be even less the next few days. Gone on Thursday, back on Sunday. Put the sign out – Gone to the Big Lake.

Peace,

Kris

ps. Forgot to mention that GiftedBoy finally lost his first tooth. It’s strange since the adult tooth is right there, waiting to push its way in front. I’ll include a photo here, and you’ll be able to see the two adult teeth pushing through. I was hoping to have the “typical” first tooth missing photo – you know the ones where there is actually a space without a tooth – but GB has never been typical, so why should I be surprised?

A few days after school ended, my boys had a dentist appointment. All was well with GiftedBoy. We were afraid that the dentist would pull his front tooth out since it has been loose for months. I breathed a sigh of relief when the dentist told me not to worry, it would fall out on its own. Now, it’s dangling and I have to fight the urge to yank it out every time I think about it.

We weren’t so lucky with HockeyBoy. After the dentist checked his teeth, confirmed that yes, that little black speck was a cavity (what joy), he pulled me in to say that HB needed to go to the orthodontist. Now, I could see that his front teeth had slight gaps between them, but I didn’t think it was necessary to go as far as saying he needed braces. No, that’s not what the dentist was referring to as he pulled my son’s cheeks out while HB closed his mouth. He was referring to the fact that the upper jaw was smaller than the lower jaw. HB would need an expander.

Yikes!

He referred us to an orthodontist, and we waited two weeks before we could get in. After the initial exam, the orthodontist said, nope, HB doesn’t need an expander, he needs braces. He has a crossbite and we need to help it with braces. After the initial shock (and asking what we’d do about a mouth guard for hockey – see, always thinking hockey), I set up the appointment and marked it on my calendar.

HB didn’t worry about it much until this past Sunday. At bedtime, he started asking all sorts of questions. Neither my husband nor I had braces, so I was pretty much a dud when it came to his answers. His appointment was early the next morning, so I kissed him goodnight, told him not to worry, and tried to get to sleep myself. I was slightly anxious. What mother wouldn’t be? The thought of having someone hurt my child, pay to have them hurt my child (even worse), is just not something we like to think about.

Well, I didn’t have to worry. Yes, the braces made HB’s mouth and teeth pretty sore, I was so proud of how he followed the flow of the appointment, never once crying or whining. Sure, when we got out to the car he popped some Tylenol, but he only had a bit of complaining. He had a second tryout last night, and he looked pretty good. Later, he told me he was surprised that the team asked him to come back for their invite-only tryout since he felt pretty tired. I was just so proud of the young man that he’s becoming.

So for now, I’m getting an education about what to eat and what not to eat with braces, how to put the rubber band on, and praying that he’ll be able to chew his meals.

The best part of the whole braces issue is that he’s keeping his mouth guard in his mouth when he skates. Before, he’d chew one side and have the other side stick out. Not much help preventing a concussion. Now, the mouth guard feels so good because it keeps his braces off the insides of his cheeks, that he’s keeping it in. Hallejuah!

Peace,

Kris

We took a very short vacation up to Michigan’s Adventure last week. Just two days away, but it was nice. We had to plan our trip around, you guessed it, hockey. HockeyBoy is doing two summer sessions which have him on the ice three days a week. Now travel try-outs start, so he’ll be on the ice even more. Thank goodness he loves hockey. GiftedBoy has told me that he wants to try his hand at hockey. I’m hoping it’s a passing phase. Keep your fingers crossed for me, would ya?

Work has been very busy. One of my latest projects is going to the printer this week. It’s dear to me since I helped shape the text. Ok, I pretty much ghostwrote the entire book, but that’s ok. The author was very open to all of the changes we requested, and it makes me feel so good to know that the book will be in the hands of incoming kindergarten kids in a few weeks. This project was a specifically for one public school in Michigan. The principal came up with the idea of providing a very personalized book, with text and pictures that specifically named his school, to give help incoming kindergarteners with early learning concepts. It was a joy to work on with very little snags. The illustrator is the same who illustrated Have You Filled a Bucket Today? which is gaining a lot of popularity across the country. The press I work for published that book as well. It was interesting working with a veteran illustrated. They are just as quirky as us writers!

No news from the agent regarding my edits. She did acknowledge that she received them, and she did tell me that I was “next in line.” I’m learning as I go along that if I didn’t have patience before, I’m acquiring it now. I try not to think about the manuscripts that she has. I know I should be writing, but there just isn’t enough time in the day. Plus, the wonderful weather and having the boys home all day really is a deterrent for me. I’m not worried. The story and ideas will flow when they are ready.

I hope all your days are sunny and that the flowers are blooming where you are.

Peace,

Kris

A little late here, but I thought I’d wish all Americans a Happy 4th of July.

Last night, our town resurrected fireworks. It was the first time my kids were able to see fireworks in their hometown, and boy did they enjoy it. We watched them over at my dad and step-mom’s house with a few other family members. It was a beautiful night, and all had an enjoyable time. I think I’ll write our local newspaper and let the township know how much I appreciated them running this family event.

Hope your weekend is grand!

Peace,

Kris