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M was very excited to go to the orthodontist because she knew she had done the work she needed to obtain the big prize she had been aiming for: at $30 Target gift card.  She was not happy, however, when she learned the baby tooth that was being pushed forward by the adult tooth behind it had to come out immediately.  M did NOT want that Novocain shot!  After convincing her it had to come out and to tell the orthodontist he could do it (she demanded I buy her a horse if she had to get a shot), M decided she was going to yank that wiggly tooth out herself.  She began pushing forwards and backwards and with the verbal help of the office manager kept on working at it, even with the obvious pain and outpouring of blood.  By the time the orthodontist came back (and I was taking N to the bathroom) M had that tooth so loosened up that the orthodontist was able to just use some floss to make it come out!  Once the blood was cleaned up -- there was a lot -- we were ...

I feel like I have some explaining to do!  And here's what I wrote to M's teacher about all this chaos. M began crying on again Thursday morning -- giant, huge sobs alone in her bedroom at the thought of going to school.  This happened a lot toward the end of 1st grade (the up/down/cry every morning).  I couldn't stand the idea of doing it for an entire school year.  M "shadowed" at the Waldorf school all day on Thursday and Friday.  She was the 16th child in a place where for science they walked to a stream and dissected a milkweed seed and where she is one of only a few students who knows how to read at all.  Michelle was so calm and happy, especially knowing she won't have to take any tests again this year.  Although my husband and I don't want to pay the money or deal with having children at 2 different schools, it is obvious the Waldorf approach is highly beneficial to this particular child. Her #1 regret is that she will not have y...

For Grandma's first check up in Aurora after school began, N joined us for the first time and we drove a quick 15 minutes over to the DMN&S on the way home.    We pushed Grandma around in a wheelchair while we checked out the new exhibit called "Marvelous Machines" about the mechanics of certain animals.    I wish I had a picture of N and I learning about bird wings.    We sat in a chair and lifted an artificial wing up and down and spun around faster and faster.    I was so nauseous by the time we were done I felt like I was going to puke all day.    Lol.    N's favorite part was squeezing the giraffe heart in simulation of pumping blood all the way up that long neck.    By the time we were done N was ready for lunch and we headed to Costco to eat and shop there.    We got home just in time to pick up the other children from school.    Score! We've had plenty of play time around here,...

The elementary school's first Monday after school began was the event everyone had been talking about.  I was very grateful we were all given glasses.  The school provided them for K, D, and M; Hubby's work gave him a pair, and Hubby's co-worker, when he explained the hardware store was sold out, gave him 2 pairs for N and I.  Her preschool pick up was right around the time the entire school was out looking, so we were able to join D's class for viewing enjoyment.  Hurrah! The most surprising part to me was all the crescent shaped shadows. N and I helped with the neighbor's puppy one day.  Here the dogs are waiting for a milk bone. There was a pirate invasion! And gorgeous sunsets (K is riding her bike a lot more this school year). K's birthday present made me cry tears of joy.  She may never know how much her gift meant to me.  It was the best present in the entire world K could have given me. And M's notebook she handmade m...

 weren't going to let the start of school tell us summer was over quite yet.  The weather is still gorgeous for going camping in the mountains and it was such a great way to escape the heat for a little bit.  After school their first Friday, we drove up to our favorite place to camp -- Rocky Mountain National Park. After the traditional roasting hot dogs and s'mores, we headed to the star party and looked at planets and stars through giant telescopes.    We had done this a couple years back and were excited to do so again.    It was there I learned that if you went to the total eclipse zone   on Monday   the sky would turn completely dark and you would be able to see the stars then as well.    Whoops -- too late now! Saturday  morning we had to pack up since the sight was already reserved for that evening and find a place to hike that we could park with our camping trailer.    We ended up at the Alluvial ...