The million dollar smile!

Don't you just love the million dollar smiles that children share and don't ya just love their enthusiasm while sharing those smiles?!  I love to see crooked smiles, toothless smiles, and every other kind of smile!  My million dollar smile came from my dad telling me so after every orthodontist appointment.  I loved the energy he brought in expressing how excited he was to see what my smile would look like next, with braces, elastics, retainers, expander, and the whole bit and I loved that it was in a positive light.  I never felt the work I was getting done on my teeth was a burden to my parents, although to them I'm sure it felt like they were spending a million dollars!  $$$$  So I have to thank my parents for creating my million dollar smile but for teaching me the true meaning of a smile.  Smiles are uplifting, comforting, and contageous!  So maybe you'll be smiling as you view these pictures. 

Caden started work at Simister orthodontics weeks ago.  He received an expander to widen his mouth for his teeth to have room to grow in.  Wow, he was amazing and calm.  We had to turn the expander with a key every night for 2 weeks and not once did I hear a complaint.  Also, he didn't complain about eating food either.  If any of you have had one of these contraptions, I'm sure you can empathize.  Food gets stuck constantly.  It is a pain to clear out and it is a challenge to talk properly.  What a pro you have been Caden.  You are such a tough kid.  He gets to wear it until summer time.  He was hoping to get it off before, but ofcourse he didn't complain.  He just goes with the flow!

This is the assistant who inserted the expander.  Caden's wearing his special shirt that he earns "brace bucks" for if he wears it to his appointments.

Here is Dr. Smisiter checking out Emery's mouth.  At this point her 2 center bottom adult teeth had grown in behind her baby teeth.  She had been very distraught that her teeth were being stubborn and not coming out when all of her friends had "lost at least one!"  Poor girl.  She too was good for the Dr.  He recommended having the dentist pull the 4 bottom baby teeth out soon but then.....

...a tooth started to FINALLY wiggle and then the tooth ...

...FINALLY popped out.  YEAH!  Curtis helped her pull it out and she was so good at it.  She was a happy happy girl.  This is a major milestone that she has been waiting for.  FINALLY, at 7 years old she lost her first tooth.  Way to go Ems!  She is now working on the neighbor tooth and is getting close to losing it!  She was excited to find her tooth fairy money and be 2 dollars richer.  The tooth fairy isn't always the best at finding our house.  She arrived at 2am that night/day :) Phew... 

Here is our cute Caden with his milion dollar smile for earning student of the month for fine arts out of all the 3rd graders.  He is very talented in this area.  He absolutely loves to draw.  If anyone knows of a good art teacher or art program, please feel free to share! 

What would we do without the million dollar smile!!!