The Katie Chronicles, Tin Grin Edition

Yesterday, I took a reluctant Katie to get a consultation with her new orthodontist. It included a cost estimate and all I can say is I’ll really miss those little luxuries like food and shelter for the next 24 to 30 months. Just kidding. It wasn’t that bad. Actually it was better than I thought it would be. During the course of the conversation, I learned a random fact and you know how I love those: Orthodontists have to do a 3 year residency after dental school. Three years? Who knew? (Katie’s ortho is a Tar Heel, apparently). I was also reminded how odd it is that orthodontists use the word “appliance” when talking about the various devices that straighten and correct teeth. You want to put an appliance in my child’s mouth? Like, a Maytag? Nope, Katie has to have this thing called a carriere and it’s a bite correcting appliance that’s like a retainer with rubber bands. She’s not looking forward to it but when she remembered the childhood stories I had told her about The Great Headgear Debacle of 1982, she got more positive. So the bite correction is the first stage and then in about 4 to 6 months it’s brace face time! She was relieved about not having to get molds of her teeth made with that gross, squishy stuff — it’s all 3D imaging now, of course — and excited about getting rainbow rubber bands on the braces, so at least there’s that.

The Katie Chronicles: Git ‘Er Done Edition.

Katie was excited about spending some time at home next week until Rome and I started talking to her about what we had to do when we were home in the summers as younglings. We ended up creating a list of tasks together for her next week and she set some of her own goals. She will definitely have some sleeping-in and fun time but she also has two books to read (one for school that she procrastinated on and one assigned by me) and various Scout merit badge tasks, one of which involves planning, shopping for, and cooking five dinners. (I’m excited about that one!) All this is in addition to a Scout fundraiser, a merit badge class, and her normal cleaning, cat feeding, and cello practice chores. Lessons about using your time wisely and personal growth are in the making and we hope she ends the week with the sense of accomplishment and self-esteem that comes from handling your business like a boss.

The Katie Chronicles, Don’t Call DFCS Edition.

Katie loves to draw and she’s developed the habit of doodling on herself. Today she took it to a whole new level. She had to hang out in my office for a little while and she had some watercolor paint, so instead of the usual flowers and random shapes, she painted wounds on herself. She did a couple of cuts and bruises that looked so real I was afraid someone was going to think I abuse my child. Given Atlanta’s extensive movie industry (it’s the most common place to shoot movies and TV shows now) maybe there’s a career in special effects?