Dental Work

Matthew had his first root canal when he was 4 years old. We pretty much felt like the worst parents ever... especially because neither of us had a cavity until we were grown up and only have had a couple of cavities EVER.

So, a couple of weeks ago I had occassion to look in his mouth and was horrified. One of his teeth looked like it was totally decaying and it also looked like it was spreading to the next one. So, I made a dentist appointment. He had those visible cavities, plus 1 or 2 more. He had a pulp treatment yesterday in hopes of avoiding a second root canal. He did really well, considering, and hardly complained. Of course, the vanilla shake I bought him from the Malt Shop helped.

It turns out Matthew has some condition caused by genes, medications at 6 mo. of age and/or a fever at 6 mo. of age. (The dentist, Wes Thompson, said it was most likely a couple of those interacting). Anyway, his teeth are super soft and so they are VERY prone to cavities and decay. In two weeks he will get sealants to protect his teeth.

Knowing about his "condition" eased my guilt SO much. I can now look at the "pirate tooth" (crown) he got at 4 yrs. old and know that I am NOT the worst mother ever. Poor Matthew though. He is such trooper!

On the Farm

Last Sunday, while we were doing chores we realized we hadn't posted pictures of the kids "helping" on the farm. So I took the camera to take pictures while we were there on Monday. Unfortunately, it was a getting close to sunset and I don't know how to manually use the flash on the new camera. Oh... well. Good enough. :)

The kids shortly after we arrived.

Ashton is crying because one of the kitties climbed up his back and scratched him pretty good.

Jer and Will. Will is willing to put up with those annoying ear muffs if it means a tractor ride.

Matthew pushing up hay. When Jer came by with the feeder a few minutes later, Matthew said, "I already pushed up and now Daddy is feeding them. Those girls are getting spoiled today."

Jer, Ash and Will in the green tractor feeding a bale. Life doesn't get much better than this for the little boys (and Jer).

Matthew using his imagination at his favorite spot... the tire pile.

Katie feeds the cats quite generously. She loves the kittens, dogs, and cows. She frequently tells people that she is "an animal lover" and wants to be a vet when she grows up.

Ashton pushing up hay.

Bubble Bath

The other night I was in my office working and Will was happily splashing away in the bathtub. All of the sudden I heard Jeremy groan, "No... No... Oh, Will. Why did you do that?" Just then, I heard Ashton let out a shriek of delight. Then, I heard a splash! So I went to investigate.

Apparently, Will had dumped an ENTIRE bottle of shampoo (thankfully, the cheap kind) out into his bathwater. It made A LOT of bubbles. Ashton and Will had so much fun piling suds and bubbles on themselves and each other that it was totally worth the 89 cents to get some new shampoo.

Sickness

This is always the hardest time of year when it comes to our family's health... everyone gets sick. It seems like from the time school starts until Thanksgiving someone (usually more than one person) is sick at all times. Jeremy thinks it is because of bodies aren't ready for the wide temperature changes. (The other day on the farm there was a 60 degree difference between the high and the low). Anyway... we've been lying low lately because of the sickness at our house... everything from stomach bugs, bad colds, to huge cold sores... and we are ready to feel better!

We did make these fun monsters out of candy and rice krispy treats. I took pictures with my phone because our camera battery is dead. So, I will try and get those posted later.

Oh... the good news is I have not only finished earning the Usborne trip to Rome for 1, but I also earned $400 cash to take with me. I am trying to figure out a way to get Jeremy there too. :)