Braces Begin

Heather began the process of getting her braces. We had the final consult with the orthodontist yesterday, and she had her spacers put in. She has been in a lot of pain. I've second-guessed the wisdom of starting this now. She is scheduled for braces on Tuesday, the day before school. I'm not sure pain on her first day of school is going to be very helpful when she's trying to concentrate on a new school, a new school schedule, p.e., a locker combination and teacher expectations. If I'd had any idea that she would be this uncomfortable, I would have pushed for starting this process a week or two sooner.

Is there ever a good time to start braces?? Poor girl.

The Spy Who Needs You

Heather celebrated her birthday with a spy-themed party. Kelly worked on an iMovie video with her that was emailed to friends with extra instructions. The movie was titled, "The Spy Who Needs You", and featured Agent 12 needing some assistance to apprehend the evil Dr. Crooked Teeth. These two were so creative in their collaboration that I feared the actual party would pale in comparison to the pre-party hype. We seemed to do okay.

The Cake (a bomb)

Headquarters (HQ) arrival and check-in

The weapon issued was a toothbrush. This weapon is very effective with Dr. Cornelious Crooked Teeth, the villain to be apprehended.

Mission instructions were given in the Briefing Room by Agent 43 and Agent 009.5

Some of the traps that Dr. C. set to slow down our agents included, acid spray (water sprinkler), activated bomb (large balloons filled with water which needed to be diffused), and live grenades which agent had to bat out into an open field before they exploded (soaker balls and bat).

In the end, agents located Dr. Crooked Teeth hiding in his lair protecting his precious candy supply. Agents used water bombs to flush out the target. Unfortunately, Dr. Crooked Teeth had some water bombs of his own.

Eventually, after running out of ammunition, the agents used their "weapons" to force Dr. Crooked Teeth from his lair (they thought of this all on their own). He hates toothbrushes and will do anything not to have to be around one. They apprehended the subject.

The agents enjoyed dinner, present opening, visiting and cake. I think they would have been fine just hanging out and chatting.

Heather's 12th Birthday

When Heather went to bed tonight, I asked her if she had fun on her first day being 12. She said, "It was awesome."

She started her day with birthday pancakes served on birthday party ware. Then she was off to Theater Camp while I did some shopping. After gathering some goods and picking up the girls from camp, we arrived home to find the yard decorated by Heather's new class at church. Heather thought this was sooooo wonderful.

The girls hung out and played and goofed around until dinner. Per Heather's request, we went to the Rainforest Cafe. Heather enjoyed her dinner of Python Pasta as well as a birthday song and complimentary ice cream. Little did we know how much she was counting on the balloon guy to be there. Good thing he showed up! The girls both got dragon creations which had fire coming out of the mouth that could also be used as a handle for flying the dragon. The dragons flew all the way to the car (and the girls are currently sleeping with their dragons, Puff and Alice, while we speak).

Once home again, and after waiting all day in agony (well, half the day since some presents didn't make their appearance until after camp), Heather was able to open gifts.

First Clinique skin care set, some concealer and some lipgloss from Mom and Dad, something fun to open since she already received her new bike.

A how to draw monsters book, Pokemon cards, fuzzy slippers and stickers from Jenna

And Super ScribbleNauts for her DSi from Grandpa. I think she was excited about this one. There was also $12 from Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chuck which she promptly put in her money box for safe-keeping.

Heather is just the most amazing thing ever. If I had been blogging when she was younger, I would have written about the awe I experience nearly every day as her mom. She came so calm and peaceful and sweet; she is still that way. I am still amazed that Heavenly Father sent her to me/us. Even with her pre-teen outbursts, she returns to her true self. She is intelligent beyond any depth that I will ever achieve, and I have learned so much from her. I grew up with a mom who told me that when she bought greeting cards, she always looked for the sentiment that expressed what she felt. I had a silly card for Heather and never even attempted to find a sentiment because I didn't think one existed that could express a fraction of how we feel about this girl. Today, I found a card for Heather that made me tear up right there in the darned card isle. It reads:

For A Very Special Daughter

If you could see

all the flowers

in the world...

if you could hear

all the laughter

in the universe...

if you could make

all the dreams

that ever

were wished

come true...

...then you would know

a little part of the joy

of having and loving

a daughter like you.

Oh how we love this girl. We are so, so blessed to be her parents.

On a cute note, last night, she told me that it was her last night brushing her teeth at 11. Tonight she announced that it was her first time brushing her teeth at 12. I am glad that she felt that she had an amazing day because that is what we wish for her. Every day. Forever and ever.

Happy Birthday sweet Heather!

We love you to the end of the universe and back again (times infinity)!