Orthodontist

Much to my surprise, all of my children (sans Nate who is not old enough to know yet) are in need of braces. I could go into all of the details of what is wrong with their mouths, and some of you would nod along sagely totaling the astronomical charges as you read. Rather, I'll just say the total dollar amount I need in order to finance beautiful- and healthy- smiles.

You might want to sit down. I keep pinching myself in an attempt to wake up.

$17,000-$20,000. Yes, it hurts. The good news is that Rebi is $5000 of that, so by selling her I can pay for the remaining kids and reduce the total bill to $12-15,000.

Better quote of the day

I got back from taking Rebi to school and started towards the fridge. Nate placed himself in front of it and said, "Mom, do you know what vampires hate? They hate garlic."

"Yes Nate, I've heard that."

"So, you know why there's a chocolate chip mess in the fridge?"

"No Nate, I haven't opened the fridge yet today and you're standing in front of it."

"Well, there was a chocolate chip vampire and he got out some chocolate chips but then he saw the garlic and he melted and that left chocolate chips all over."

"Is there any chance this vampire's name started with an N?"

"I do not know. He never told me his name. . ."

Quote of the Day

While walking through the kitchen today, I stepped on a towel and something underneath it cracked. To no one in particular, I said, "I wonder what I just crushed."

Evan quickly replied with, "My hopes and dreams."

For the sake of mommy guilt, he had better be joking!

Road rash face

Last night, about an hour after the fall

This morning. Again, thank goodness he had his helmet on, since he bounced it off of the ground, saving massive injury to his face and head.

Odds and Ends

Even stuffed into the back corner of the garage, the sound of drumming fills the whole house. This is Evan and his best friend Brittany.

In the past two days Evan has had 4-6 girls call for him, 2 stop by to see him and one girl invite Ellie over in hopes Evan would tag along. He's 11. I'm petrified. He was even willing to use hair stuff today before heading to a birthday party. . .

Tyler took a spectacular fall- flight really- off of his bike today. Thank goodness for helmets. I'll be sure to add photos once the road rash fully develops. Thank goodness it wasn't Nate, or we'd have 3 broken bones, minimum.

I was watching Rebi at school a few days ago- she didn't realize I was there- and she was so natural and at ease and CUTE around those kids. Rumor has it one of the boys is getting ready to ask her out, so she's been talking on and on about how she's only 12 so that he won't bother. Yesterday, a friend from school told her the boy is only 13. Now, she will be going on and on about how she can't date until she graduates from high school, or college, or maybe when she's 25. Yeah, 25 sounds just right.

Ellie is thinking about quitting gymnastics. She has recently started feeling stiff and sore in her ankles every morning. I can't blame her for wanting to quit if she's always in pain. Not my idea of fun either. I had to laugh today though. After gymnastics, she very calmly got into the car and said, "I broke two toes on bars today." I was impressed at how calm she was. After a trip to the mall though, it became clear she just really wanted to shop. I bet she's MUCH more vocal about the toes tonight and tomorrow! (And they are swollen and purple, so she might not even be exaggerating.)

At the rate I'm going, there is no chance I will have Nate writing legibly by the end of the year, but we're having so much fun playing games and hanging out, I'm glad he and Evan are both home with me all day. Who would have ever guessed that would be the case!?!?!

Pushing Daisies

Just watched episode #1 and laughed and laughed and laughed. Totally quirky, so beware!

This is by the people who wrote "Wonderfalls", which I also recommend. Unfortunately, it was canceled after only 12 episodes or so, but Netflix has it and it is well worth the time to watch.

We're going to Disneyland

Leaving in about an hour, if I can get the kids out of bed.
Please no crowds. Please no crowds.