The "Dead" Tooth

Two years ago, Maeve took a head first fall onto the patio tile.  She gave herself a fat lip, a bruised chin, and a loose tooth.
The tooth stayed in, but slowly died, and we all laughingly called it "The Dead Tooth".




At a dentist appointment after 'the injury' they told me her adult tooth would be fine, but we needed to watch out for red gums, or anything weird looking above the tooth.
They said "the only thing you need to watch out for..."
They said "worst case scenario...."

Fast forward 2 years....And "worst case scenario" happened.
I'll try not to gag as I share this part.
Bacteria got into the area where the dead tooth's root was dying, and since there was no blood flow, and abscess formed, and was draining {fortunately - or not really but whatever}into her mouth.
{gag}

So, needless to say, that tooth had to come out.
And what is a normal, easy trip to the dentist for most mothers, is NOT for me.

So my conversation with Rich went something like this.
"Maeve has a {gag} abscess in her gums from the dead tooth. She has to get it pulled. 
You need to ask for the day off, because I don't think I can drive her there, because I'm pretty sure I can't take Valium and safely operate a car. And I will TOTALLY have to take a pill if I am going to have to be in the room when they yank that sucker out."

And then he said: "seriously? What is wrong with you? I don't understand....."

To which I replied "just get the day off."

I drove her there, and snapped a couple pics, and then sent her into the room. 
I figured that between daddy, and the dentist, they could figure out how to break the news to her.

{I will be accepting the Bad Mommy award at the next family function}

Turns out, it went well.
She's still cute, and we've been having a great time getting her to say "wasp", and "Nathan", and anything else that produces a lisp. 

I do love me a lisp.
Which is a good thing, because we have about 2 years to hear it before that top one grows in...

First Day of School 2013 (August 21)

I've got 3 kids in school.
Whoa.
A  4th grader....

A 2nd grader....

And a Kindergartner.

Which means 3 teacher gifts (yay!).
 
3 backpacks (yay!)
 
3 lunches everyday (boo).
3 kids to give the quick look over to make sure hair is brushed, socks are on, pants are on....(no comment)
And 3 hugs and kisses goodbye (sniff).

Which leaves 1 very lonely, needy boy home with me.
A little boy who has to be next to me/behind me/talking non stop to me all day long.

Clearlake

2nd cousins galore!!!

Vacation Week

We took a week of vacation.
We packed up everything we own, and strapped, shoved, tied, and towed in in our van.
And then we attempted to put the kids in.

On our way to the campground we saw this amazing van.
And the kids shrieked!
And I whipped out my phone and snapped a pic.
And then we drove on.

 We got to the campground, and I gave up any hope that anyone would remain clean.
Or poison oak free for that matter.

 I tried a few new recipes. Some were good.
And some took MAJOR willpower by the adults to eat.
Ga-ross.
Tin foil dinner fail.

 The kids spent most of the time in the neighbors campsite.
Which would have been perfectly fine, had it been vacant.
Oops.

 And while some complete strangers were babysitting our kids, we enjoyed a campfire, and lots of conversation.
I kid you not.

The hubs {because he can't really sit still for too long} did multiple laps around the campground with the kids on bikes. They hiked, discovered hidden beaches, more poison oak, and some giant redwoods.

 And I sat and read.
And read.
And read.
And read.
I finished 3 books, and sipped out of my funny mug/jar. 

 And we had our bible time around the campfire in the mornings.

And we introduced them to "lady lips", which we will forever regret. 

Every morning was like a giant sleepover.  Kids kinda just piled on top of each other...sharing sleeping bags, mats, pillows, and the occasional blanket. 

One of the days, we drove the short 10 minutes to the beach boardwalk.
Best. day. ever.
We played in the sand, then rode rides, then ate, then rode more rides, then ate some more, and then collapsed onto our deflated air mattresses.

 Another day we hiked.
And carried heavy kids up steep trails.
And sweated. A lot.
And got dirty.
All in flip flops.

We packed up the tent, a few spiders, and the filthy, dirty, stinky kids, and surprised them with a trip to Gilroy Gardens.
Which was amazing.
Clean, no crowds, and rides galore.

And then we came home.
And took showers, climbed into our own comfy beds, and slept for hours.
It was, hands down, one of the best vacations we've had in a long time, until I had to conquer the laundry.
Then I was grumbling.