a trip to the dentist

The kids had dentists appointments this morning. We go to this really cool pediatric dentist. Gee, you probably would never guess that they have an ocean theme throughout the office. Surfboards, not exam chairs. Video game monitors in the ceiling for older kids getting work done. Toys in the waiting room inside a half a wooden boat. (you've heard me rant about how our pediatrician's office doesn't have any toys and how annoying that can be.) Murals, cool signs and artwork everywhere. Even the back of the door to leave has a "hurricane evacuation route" street sign on it!

The kids go back to get their teeth cleaned, fluoridated (fancy word, eh?) and examined. The parents stay out in the waiting room! Now, this is only the second time we have gone, but let me tell you - my children has no issue whatsoever with leaving me in the dust. Lew joined us today because last November, he didn't get to see the office. I knew we weren't going back with the kids, but still he had time in his schedule to come along. Hey, someone had to pay, right? ($2.00 per child! But, I needed to save my four bucks for blueberries! Priorities.)

So, we grabbed coffee and tea and sat to wait while we watched Dora on the TV that is over the cool boat filled with toys. Maybe 15 minutes later, Carl comes bounding out from the hallway all buy himself. He had on a sticker that said "fluoride at work. no food or drink for 30 minutes, please" so we figured he was done. Kind of relaxed that they sent him back to us alone, but he seemed happy and said he was done. (note: We don't always believe what our 4 yr olds tell us. We were not born yesterday.)

About 3 minutes later, the sweet hygienist came out and said Carl just left on his own. She said they had not been able to get to the exam part on him yet because he was too busy. He wouldn't keep his mouth open and wandered off. Sounds like Carl. She even said, "I know he is totally capable to participating with us, he just seems to be too busy". She was pretty relaxed about the whole thing and told us that when the dentist finished with another patient, they would try Carl again. He happily went back down the hallway with her, leaving us out in the waiting room (Spongebob was on by now. I do not allow that at home, but Carl was happy to see it come on. he even said, "We can't watch this at home!" I am a bit amazed he was OK leaving the TV to go back down the hallway.) And that time, success!

So, both kids have awesome teeth. Nice and clean. No cavities and no shadows to even suspect them. they said to try flossing 2x per week. HA! They floss every single night! Actually, Gretchen prefers to floss after every meal. It can get annoying when we are trying to get out the door and she is insisting on flossing her teeth first. We go back in early December. Can you believe that is only 6 months away???? Crazy!!

Look how nice their teeth looked after!!