Max the Brave

Unfortunately, today Max needed to go to the dentist to have a cavity taken care of. It was his first (and only...I hope!). We made the appointment 3 weeks ago after his check up, and, at the time, the dentist had strongly recommended that he be given nitrous oxide for the procedure because of his age.

I'm all for medicine when my kids really need it, but when they don't necessarily need it I usually pass. I told them when we made our appointment that I wanted to do it without any sedation. They were skeptical but said they would give it a try. I knew Max would be fine, but I decided to hedge my bets by offering him a toy if he was good.

I was feeling pretty good about things as we drove to our appointment, but I thought it would be a good time to remind Max that he could pray for help if he got scared. I told him to think of times when we had prayed and gotten help. He was having trouble thinking of things so I started reminding him when he interrupted me by saying, "Oh I have one...remember that time when I went to the dentist to have my cavity fixed and I prayed to be brave and I was..." while breaking into a big grin. That is sooooo Max's sense of humor.

When we got to the appointment, the dentist again encouraged the nitrous oxide, but I am happy to report that Max did just fine without it. In fact, he was absolutely perfect. He didn't even flinch or make a peep through the whole process. The dentist was completely impressed and said she had never had such a cooperative 5-year-old. She even said, "He's 5?! He acts like a 10 year old!" Max really liked that. He also really liked when I made good on my promise and he got to pick out a toy.

It was a tough choice, but in the end he decided on a bow and arrow and was thrilled. I thought it was the perfect selection for my brave boy and perhaps the best $6 I've spent in a while.







He got a little frustrated when his arrows weren't flying as far as he wanted. I had a solution for that...


I showed him how much better he was than me. My plan worked and he happily jumped right up and said, "Oh, OK...I'll take your picture."


Max has a certain irresistible sweetness that I just want to bottle up sometimes and keep forever (or at least keep for his grumpier moments).


Max wasn't the only one happy with his toy selection. (You'll have to ignore Reed's scanty dress. He had just come home from swim team practice.) The next few pictures do a pretty good job of catching part of the dynamic between these two boys.

Max asking Reed for help...


Max getting a little impatient thinking that Reed is trying to hog the new possession.


And the chase is on.


Good work my brave boy. Just keep praying and flossing and I think you'll be just fine.

Working Hard

There are a few things that I know are really important to my Dad and working hard is one of them. So I shouldn't be surprised that for the entire week he was here we spent almost every moment of it covered in either dirt or sweat and usually both.

Last week we were lucky enough to have my dad in town to visit and help us get started on some landscaping projects. They were beastly jobs and included lots of digging, ripping out plants, moving heavy rocks and so many trips to the dump that we will soon be on a first name basis there.

My dad was a relentless worker.


Everyone got involved in the work. Max is always eager to get involved in these types of projects. He might not have all the skill yet, but he definitely has the heart. I love to see my kids working up a sweat.


Reed also gave ditch digging a try but tried not to break a sweat since his most important work for the week was recovering from strep. Poor boy.


Ruby even did her best make a dent in the project. Maybe next time she'll have more luck when the shovel isn't taller than she is.




Once again I have to acknowledged that a grimace of exertion is not a good look for me, but I have to include this picture so my kids remember that their mom was a hard worker too (and had a freakishly muscular forearm.)

As important as hard work is to my dad, it is only half of the equation for him. I have heard him rehearse countless times how good it feels to work hard and then how important it is to reward yourself when you are done. The kids needed no convincing when it came to this part of the principle.

On a few days the reward was a cold treat.

On another day it was a trip at the lake. I think the the fact that Max fell asleep on the stairs while waiting for everyone to get their swimsuits on is evidence that the day's reward was well deserved.


After a quick nap he was ready to go.

I'm confident that my kids could play in the sand all day.




Reed also had the chance to get a few swimming tips from my dad before his swim team tryouts this week.




On another day the boys were able to race to the lake after Reed's football game for some quick evening fishing.


The fishing trip was cut a little short by a thunderstorm, but the boys were still thrilled to have caught a fish.


I don't know if my boys totally get the point of fishing yet because the first thing they wanted to do when they got home was put it in a large Tupperware and name it.


Reed looking in the cupboard for some fish food. (Don't worry this poor fish found another "home" the next day.)


We definitely worked hard, but we still made some time to just be together. Here is Max showing off the reading progress he's made.


Thanks so much for coming Dad. It was a wonderful visit. We worked hard, my kids felt loved and our back yard is one step closer to not looking like a jungle. Pretty close to perfect if you ask me.

New Shoes

My guilt finally got to me a few days ago and I decided that even middle children need their own new shoes. It was my guilt and the fact that Reed's shoes had just about ripped in half that motivated the shoe purchase. To buy Reed new shoes again without getting some for Max would've just been wrong. I was feeling so generous in fact that I let Max pick out whatever shoes he wanted. I'm pretty sure "slime green" is his new favorite color.

As soon as the shoes arrived, Max tore into the box and put them on. He thought they were perfect.

The only part he didn't like is that I made him go outside to take his picture. He was very concerned about getting them dirty. He told me, "I'm still going to use my old shoes for playing outside. I'll call these my walking shoes."

Reed's shoes were pretty "hot" too. He replaced his old flame shoes with well... more flame shoes. He knows what he likes.


Ruby knows what she likes too. She was not about to let me takes pictures of the boys and not her. She even suggested that she jump from the step ladder while I take her picture (I think she's being watching her brothers?). She would jump off, run over to me, ask to see the picture and then say, "Awwww...it's not working."


Max and Reed have new shoes, Ruby is still glued to her backpack and I have one less thing to feel guilty about. Life is good.

Goodbyes

Goodbyes are kinda a big deal in our house...well at least to Max (and tag-along Ruby now) they are. Without fail, every morning after Sam tells us all goodbye Max will race to the door saying "Wait Dad, Wait" to give him one more hug, kiss and another "Bye Dad". It's the same sweet thing everyday.


Blowing kisses from the doorstep is a vital part of the process with about three more "Bye Dad"s thrown in.


I think my favorite part of the whole thing is when he shouts his final words of farewell and wisdom. " Bye Dad! I hope you do better than last time! Bye-Bye-Bye-Bye!"


I figure he'll end the ritual one of these days, but I hope it's not one too soon.

Born to teach

If you ask Reed what he wants to be when he grows up, I don't think "teacher" on the list---but it should be. He's a natural at sharing information and was in heaven yesterday helping me with preschool.


Apparently the ABC's can be very gripping. He had them right where he wanted them.


He was so patient and encouraging as he oversaw everyone's work. It was funny to hear him use supportive phrases with intonation I recognized as my own.


My favorite might have been during snack-time when he used graham crackers to teach about factions. It was actually pretty effective considering our group of 2-5 year olds.


He certainly had the appropriate excitement level.


You can tell Reed has played Simon says more than a few times. He knew all of the tricks.




If Reed was born to teach, then Ruby was born to be a student--or at least born to wear a backpack. She found this backpack in the closet 3 days ago and it's been glued to her (including in her crib at night) ever since.


Thanks for all your help Reed. You made the perfect assistant.