I’ll be the first to admit that I actually like going to the dentist that you will find out why when you navigate to these guys to find the reason behind it. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I have never had a root canal, braces, or the need for any painful dental work. I haven’t had so much as a cavity. So for me, the dentist is just a nice little pat on the back. My husband however, has had the opposite dental experience. His family never really took care of their teeth and as a result we have spent several years and countless dollars trying to fix Sim’s teeth. Therefore he has a great fear of the dentist. To him the dentist equals pain, drilling, and anxiety. He and I have decided we would really like Ana to follow in my dental footsteps and make going to the dentist a positive experience.

On Monday, June 15th, Simeon had a dentist appointment to fix a root canal that had been bothering him and kept him in bed for several days (turns out they only fixed two of the four roots at our old dentist office–where we will NOT be going back). Knowing he was in a lot of pain, and scared of what they were going to do to him, Ana and I went with him to his appointment. I wasn’t sure if he would even be able to drive himself (there or home!). We took him to the dentist where my sister, Jeni, works and where we plan to take Ana. Knowing this, they informed me that they had an opening in the schedule and they could actually see Ana while we waited for Sim to finish his appointment.

Ana was a little nervous, but I think she was more excited than anything. We had been talking about taking her to the dentist for quite awhile, so she already had an idea of what to expect. But no one was more surprised than me when Ana just climbed right up in the chair and became the model patient.

Ana listened as the dental hygienist explained what she was going to do.

They even had pink “bibs” much to Ana’s delight!

Ana looking at her teeth in the different mirrors.

She got to wear special heart shaped glasses to protect her eyes from the lights.

They counted Ana’s teeth. (She has 20.)

Then the dentist examined all her teeth.

Ana got her teeth cleaned with special strawberry toothpaste.

We practically had to bribe Ana to pick a prize for being such a good patient, she thought the Cinderella toothbrush and her very own toothpaste were prize enough!

Ana’s favorite part of the bedtime ritual is definitely story time. She loves picking out the story she wants me to read to her. Her latest obsession is the book Pinkalicious. So the other day Ana requested that we make some cupcakes. What kind of cupcakes, you ask? Pink, pink, PINK, of course!

Adding the pink food coloring.

The batter is PINK!

The cupcakes are frosted.

Daddy helped with the sprinkles.

Finger-lickin’ good!

Ana approved!

A few weeks back we picked up the Rainbow All American Double Decker play structure at Costco, and it has been sitting in boxes on our deck waiting for a few days of decent weather. Oh and for a few good “adult helpers” to aid in the 30-something step assembly process. Last Sunday we got up bright and early to start sorting through the boxes. We’ll call this the “before” picture:



We sorted all the lumber.



And organized the million or so pieces of hardware. This was my pet project so I grabbed some baggies and a sharpie and was free to let my OCD shine.



Ana was very happy to help as needed.





Once my Dad and Sim’s brother Jesse arrived, we jumped right in to the assembly. Oh and my dogs helped too, mostly in a supervisory position.



Before too long, we had it off the ground.



Then my Uncle Ed and Grandpa showed up and things started moving right along.



Next thing we knew, our friends Chloe and Patrick (complete with Ayden and Owen) came to help as well. And also to provide a little entertainment for Ana.



Once the picnic table was together, the kiddos were happy to have a little snack to test it out.



Once the roof went on, it really started to take shape.



Here is the mostly completed playhouse portion of the structure.



Then we decided the kiddos had been patient enough. It was time to put on the slide!



Ana got to take the first voyage down the super fast slide!





The next day Simeon and Jesse assembled the swing portion and Ana was delighted to test them out.





And even the trapeze bar!



We had to work pretty hard to convince her to get off the swings, but we finally got her up into the playhouse where, to her delight, she discovered the ship’s wheel and telescope.



We still need to build the rock wall, put up a perimeter barrier and fill it with cedar chips, but right now we can tell that the entire process was totally worth it. Ana could not be happier, and to me, that is priceless.

You can see all the pictures of our project over here. Enjoy!

It’s so hard to imagine that it has already been a week since my littlest nephew was born. Ana and I were both needing a baby fix so we headed to the coast for the day. Silas (Darcie and Jake are planning to call him by his middle name) has already changed so much in just a week.

It was amazing to watch my little sister be a mom, and I will be the first to admit that she has really found her stride. Silas is already a pro at nursing and Darcie attends to his every need without batting an eye.

Ana made sure she got in plenty of cuddles and kisses. She didn’t even mind having to be the noise police and said, “Shhh! The baby is sleeping!” I know she is going to be a great big sister when the time comes…and I’m thankful she has a cousin to borrow until then!

You can see all the pictures from our visit here. Enjoy!