Phogles Checkup

It's that time of year again! Yup, I hope you're excited. I know I am. It's time to go visit the Dentist! What better way to kick off the Candy & Junk Food Season than with a polish job on the ol' bicuspids?

Because we're some of those Crazy Homeschoolers, I can - and do! -take my entire little horde in for their appointments...all on the same day, all at the same time. The staff at our Dentist's office just loves this. No, really. That wasn't sarcastic. Those women spend six months looking forward to our next visit, pretty sure. They love my children, remember their names (or peek at their charts), ask what they're up to and how their hobbies are going, and always comment on how much they have grown since last we were there. This time, they were all talking and cooing at George ( who has recently been cutting teeth, ironically, and in a big, nasty, fussy way, too), amazed to see him walking and "so big!"

Gabriella and Hyrum reading the Standard Waiting Room Literature

I try to schedule our appointment early in the day, no later than 10:00. This insures that we have time to look presentable (hair done, shoes matched, noses wiped), yet not give our entire day over to the Dental process. I'd like to have something else to show for my time at the end of the day than just having taken five children for their checkup...

Our Dentist's office sends out attractive postcards two weeks prior to an appointment. Each of the kids get one. When this batch arrived, Eliza got all excited, hugging her postcard and jumping around while she sang about how happy she was to go back to the dentist office, and how she just couldn't possibly wait until it was time to go! Each night, for the next two weeks, Eliza would ask me, "How many more days until the dentist appointment, Mommy?" And I would do the calendar math in my head and tell her, "____ days from tomorrow, honey." "Oh, goodie! Only _____ more days! I can't wait!"

Eliza experiencing the culmination of her anticipation for the past weeks

The day before the Big Dentist Appointment, Eliza came in from playing in the yard to show me her very own dental equipment made with twigs, some tape, and a few odds and ends she found in the basement. "See, Mommy, this is the sucker thingy the dentist puts in my mouth for the spit, and this right here is the polishie thingie that tickles..." Very imaginative little girl. Although, most of the little girls I have met don't play Dentist, usually Princess or Fairy or Mommy, or whatever. She's definitely her own person.

So, when the Leslie the Hygenist came out and asked, "Who wants to go first?" Eliza practically shot out of her chair with joy as she raised her hand. "ME!" And in she went, pleased as punch. Lucy pouted a bit, because she likes being first at everything, but luckily, there were two rooms available at the same time, and so she swept importantly through the door right behind Eliza.

Lucy prepped for cleaning

Yvette was confused and troubled by this. There went Eliza, and Lucy, but how come it wasn't her turn? You see, when the postcards came, Yvette was thrilled to have a piece of mail with "my letter on it, Mommy!" Lucy, Eliza and Gabba carefully explained to her what it meant, this whole dentist business. At our Mass Appointment in the Spring, Yvy had her first opportunity to experience the fabled dental appointment. But, being Yvette, she had allowed herself to be placed in the chair, and allowed the Spit Bib to be fastened around her neck, but that was as far as she went. She was done when they flipped on the Bright Light and started reclining The Chair.

Yvy and Leslie

So, effectively, this is her first dentist office visit. I doubt she even remembers the last try. When Leslie came back, after a long, anxious wait on Yvy's part, this little girl was resolute. She would indeed do ... whatever it was that everyone else was doing. And she did. She did great, in fact.

Yvette taking it like a big girl

The only issue she had was she kept forgetting to keep her mouth open, but as soon as Leslie said something, Yvy popped it back wide open. Way to go, Yvette! When it was all said and done, the Dentist told her she had very pretty teeth to match her pretty eyes, and he cemented her adoration by giving her a PINK "toothcase" with her own Princess toothbrush, sparkley toothpaste, and flossers. She is a Dental believer.


And of course, when you're done, if you're a kid, you get to stop at April the Receptionist's desk and pick a goodie from April's Goodie Drawer.

Yvette with her little pink-and-polka-dot purse from the Goodie Drawer, and her toothcase

Back in the Waiting Room, I asked her how it went, and what the Dentist did. She replied, "Oh, he sparkeled my teeth! See?" [mouth opened wide for my inspection]

Once again, the Dentist exhorted Lucy and Eliza both to work on that whole Not Sucking My Thumb Anymore deal. They were both sheepish and contrite in turn. We keep working on it. And working on it. It's kind of cute, because every time it's her turn to say prayer, Lucy or Eliza will petition Heavenly Father for His help in the matter. Very sweet.

Lucy deliberating at the Goodie Drawer. What to choose? What to choose?

Gabriella was up next. She didn't mind waiting a bit. She really enjoys reading the magazines in the waiting room, and she actually found "The BEST Costume Idea EVUH!" You might not be able to see it in the picture, but Gabba is battling poison ivy. Again. Ugh. I'm going to have to put that girl in a Bubble until the whole poison ivy season is over. Poor kid. She is the only one in our family that gets it this bad, this easily, this often! But, you know, it made for pleasant conversation with Leslie and the Dentist. Because, of course, everyone has a good poison ivy story.

Gabba is good to go

The Dentist came out after he was done in her mouth to tell me she is a definite candidate for braces. Gabba loudly protested this news with a small smile. It is chic to hate braces, but a lot of people she looks up to - friends, cousins, babysitters - have braces, so she just might be secretly happy to hear it.

Hyrum is all long-suffering nonchalance about this entire production. He usually goes last, because he doesn't care. He usually brings his book, but will peruse the magazine rack to see if there are any worthy offerings. He's too grown-up and mature to be impressed by any of it.

Hyrum's turn

And, tragically, that Goodie Drawer has less and less to offer him. I don't know how much longer he will be given access to it, being all grown up and not-a-kid-anymore and all.

Look at those happy, gleaming smiles. Five satisfied customers!