toof cleaning

Lauren and Josh both recently had a visit to the dentist. He's a strange man that we aren't too sure about, but we keep going back there anyways!! Ha! Just kidding - the kids LOVE to go to Brian's office and Lauren especially loves getting her teeth cleaned. She is a pro now, not even flinching when the scary "suctioner" comes into her mouth, like she did during her very first visit. This was Josh's first real cleaning. The last visit was what Brian's office calls a "Happy Visit" getting kids acquainted with the tools, the fun chair, and generally what happens during a visit to the dentist. Josh was so brave! He got everything done, wasn't scared of the suctioner, and was such a big boy through the whole thing! The only thing he didn't like was the gooey polish stuff on his teeth (Brian doesn't like that part either - go figure!!). "Miss Denise," as the kids call her, did an excellent job (as always!!) of explaining things to the kids, talking about healthy teeth, and making them feel calm and comfortable. And then when Brian came in to check everything over they were so happy to see their Daddy!!

It was such a great visit and I was so proud of Josh for being such a big boy!!

Josh 3 yrs, Logan 18 months, Lauren 4 1/2 yrs

toe pick

Wow, it's been a long time since I've blogged!! Sorry about that!

Lots has been going on in the Kraby house, but I will start with Lauren. She just finished up a 7-week ice skating class. She had been talking about ice skating all winter and "skating" on her socks through the house. We decided it couldn't hurt to sign her up, so we got her some used skates and away she went. However, it wasn't that smooth.

The first class she cried the ENTIRE time!! She refused to let go of the coach's hands and bawled her eyes out. I think that she was really afraid of falling and that it would hurt. The second class was pretty much the same thing. The third lesson my parents came to and she didn't cry! Win! She still wouldn't let go of the coach's hands. The fourth lesson was the same thing. I spoke with the coach afterwards and said that I thought that if they just said to her that there was no more handholding that she would be fine. So for the fifth lesson I sent Brian with her instead of taking her myself and something happened (or so I am told) that made her change her tune - she didn't cry and she didn't hold the coach's hands at all! Woo-hoo!!! Brian took her for the sixth lesson and she kept improving! So I wanted to take her to the final lesson just so I could see how far she had come.

Let me just tell you that I have never felt so much pride! My heart was bursting as I watched her out there with a smile on her face, skating all by herself! And doing the things the coach's asked without crying, without arguing!! And I watched her fall down and she just got right back up without even thinking about it!! She looked up at me and I was going crazy giving her thumbs up and clapping! I'm sure the people around me thought I was insane, but I didn't care - I was so unbelievably proud of her!!

Part of me thinks that she was just so happy that was the last lesson! But the other part of me knows she learned a lot about herself and her abilities, whether she realizes it or not. That's the thing I hope she takes from her experience - that she CAN do it, all she has to do is keep going out there!