Fun with Novocaine

Emma recently had a trip to the dentist to have some cavities taken care of, which she's never had to do before. Like me, she hated being numb for hours much more than the pain that set in after it wore off. But she soon discovered it wasn't all bad. After all, she could do some pretty cool stuff with her face. Like this:

A smile without Novocaine:

A smile with Novocaine:

A pout without Novocaine:

A pout with Novocaine:

She was so funny about it! We would just be going about our business, and she would come up to me (or Sariah, or Katherine) with a serious face until she had my full attention and then just smile as big as she could. It made me crack up every time. The pout was funny, too. She asked me to do something, and I said no. Her usual response to this is to pout, so she gave that a try. It didn't quite work. It looked so funny! Maybe you had to be there. :)

A Christmas Post?!

Holy cow! I can't believe it's almost a month past Christmas, and I don't have a Christmas post yet! Wait, let me clarify: It's just the fact that it's a month past Christmas that I can't believe. The part about me not having a post yet is, sadly, quite easy to believe. Anyway, it feels kind of mandatory to post about Christmas, even if it is a month overdue, so here goes. :)



My kids, being in year-round school, are on B-track this year. This means that they were home from Thanksgiving to January 5th. That's roughly six weeks, folks. Six weeks. Of having all three of my very non-compatible children at home. All day, every day. For SIX WEEKS! Much of the time I felt the need to chant in my head "I love my kids. I love my kids. I love my kids." Or sometimes, "They'll outgrow it. They'll outgrow it. They'll outgrow it." Occasionally even, "I must let them back in the house. I must let them back in the house. Must I let them back in the house?" You know - the usual stuff. But we did have some fun, too. We made some fun little foam gingerbread house thingamadealies, and we went and saw the light display at a nearby park, and I think my personal favorite was making and decorating sugar cookies ( The word "decorating" here means heaping on gobs of frosting and then dumping on half a bottle of sprinkles. Particularly for Katherine.) Good, messy, yummy fun.

And of course the big day was lots of fun. The girls have been asking for a Wii since last Christmas. There's no way we could buy one so, lucky for them, Santa decided that they were just nice enough this year (69 percent nice, to be exact.) that he would bring them one. But there was a catch. 69 percent nice is cutting it kind of close, so they had to earn it. Santa had one of his elves prepare a treasure hunt made up of little riddles that they had to solve to find where it was hidden. I think he let them off awfully easy. I think he should have made them clean the toilets for a month or something, to make up for that 31 percent that they were lacking. But this is Santa we're talking about here. He's kinda known for letting the kiddos off easy. What a push-over.

I just found the clue cards for the treasure hunt, so I guess I could post them, eh? :)

Clue 1. According to Santa, you've been 69% nice. You do what you should (when you're asked more than twice). So no coal for you! You'll get what you want. But to earn it, you'll have to go on a jaunt. Santa asked me, Elf 71, to make up a hunt that's a challenge, but fun. So get on your marks (but please do not run), here is the first, it's clue number 1: Where do you go when you need a fix? When it's only 3 and dinner's at 6? (This one led to # 2 which was hidden - a little too well - in the fridge)

Clue 2. You found it! Great job! Now go take a seat and look where you put your food when you eat. (Under the dining room table)

Clue 3. Look, and clue #4 you'll find near things for your feet when you're going outside. (By the shoe rack at the front door)

Clue 4. Now put on a pair. No, we're not going far. You'll find the next clue when the front door's ajar. (Out on the front porch, in the bitter cold and wind. And it took a while to find. Maybe they earned it after all :). )

Clue 5. Run back inside! Hurry be quick! What does your mom give you when you're feeling sick? (The drawers in the kitchen where we keep the meds)

Clue 6. We're getting close! You're almost there! Look where you find something warm to wear. (Coat closet)

Clue 7. Before your last clue, I must give a warning: If you want what you want next Christmas morning, be kind to your sisters! Obey Mom and Dad! Help without whining -it'll make your folks glad! Don't wait to be asked to clean up your room, or wipe off the table, or sweep with the broom. Nothing takes away nice points like a tantrum or fight, so try to be loving instead of just...right! Okay, are you ready? Do you want the last clue? Will you remember the things I've asked you to do? Then go to the door and open it wide. Your presents are waiting where you go for a ride. (In the van.)

I, personally, think Elf 71 should keep his (or her) day job, but the girls really had a lot of fun. Alas, I don't think they have taken that warning to heart, though. :)

Well, I think that's enough of my rambling about the distant past. Now what you really came here for: The photos!

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