Monday Musings (on Tuesday again!)

• My mom and I took the twins for their 6 month dental check-ups yesterday.  It went well, except Carson cried.  He did a lot better than the past times though, so I think we are slowly making progress.  Henry had his very first dental check-up!  I figured since we were going anyway, we'd go ahead and schedule him too.  He didn't like it much, but he didn't scream as bad as his brother.  I guess he's somewhere between Carson and Emmy!  All the kids were in the no-cavity club, so that was good news.  Their teeth are all coming in like they should.  We got their treats and headed out.  I really like their dentist's office.  I just found an ad for them at the dr.'s office and decided to try them out a couple years ago.  It is totally geared to kids.  They have some big stuffed animals with teeth you can brush with this huge toothbrush.  They have kids' sunglasses they can wear so the light won't bother their eyes.  They get a little coin to get a treat out of a treat machine as they leave, along with stickers, a plastic cup, and of course all the standard stuff-toothbrushes, flossers, paste, etc.  They like all the bells and whistles, and I like the care they get.  I know a lot of dr.'s recommend 3 years old for the start of dental check-ups.  I started them early because I had noticed some discoloration on Carson's teeth a couple of years ago.  I took them in and the dentist checked him out (wearing those microscope-looking glasses they wear) and said, "I'm sorry m'am, I just don't see what you're talking about.  He looks great."  Yes, I guess I pick my kids to death sometimes!  I did worry about Carson at that time because brushing his teeth was a nightmare.  He lets us brush them with no trouble now (thank goodness!).  I worry about childhood decay that you always hear about.  I worry about everything!  Isn't that what moms do?  Dustin and I both agreed their teeth are super-important and we will do everything we can to take care of them.  Insurance or not.  Luckily we have excellent dental insurance right now! 
• After the dental visit, I had planned a special surprise for the kids.  We took them to the Children's Museum that was recently built, that's a bit closer to our house than the old one.  My mom and I took the twins to the old one about 2 years ago, and we were not impressed to be honest.  I wasn't sure about the new one, but it looked nicer so I thought we'd try it.  The kids were thrilled with it!  I was thrilled with it!  It was well worth the money and I hope to join next year so we can go as much as we want.  It would be silly to join now since the year is over halfway over.  When we went in, the first thing the kids noticed was the fire truck.  There is real fire truck in there.  I mean, full sized!  The kids had a ball checking out all the buttons and gauges, and wearing little fire jackets and hats.  My mom and I both ended up driving the fire truck at one point or another!  There was also a full-sized bus the city apparently donated, which I was a passenger on, not the driver.  :-)  They also had the cutest little grocery store ever.  My kids loved that and the fire truck best.  They had little metal shopping carts, and they "bought" groceries over and over and over!  No one wanted to run the register (which really worked), so I ran the register for a good hour, ringing up kids' purchases!  Yes, I honestly had as much fun as the kids and got right in there and played with them.  I kept thinking how much my sister and I would have loved going there as kids.  She asked for and got a real cash register for Christmas one year (which she still has!).  There was a restaurant we were also waited on at- Carson was the chef, Emmy the waitress (complete with a waitress dress like the ones waitresses wear in diners-so cute!).  My mom and I sat at these teeny booths while they brought us menus, food, and the check!  Other less popular exhibits (at least with my kids) were a bank with drive-thru, a bait/tackle shop, and a veterinary center.  There was also a slide, sand box area with that rubber "fake" sand, a stage, a water area, art area, train (we rode this too), and an area for 2 & under for Henry.  I can't say enough about how much fun we all had there- we stayed for 3 hours and Carson bawled when we had to leave.  Emmy told me once, "I like when you play with me."  She was beaming when she said it.  I need to make sure I am distracted less during the day and play more, for sure! 
• One thing I noticed while at the museum was how many parents were "checked-out" while their kids played.  It was sad.  One lady was on the phone the entire time.  Others were busy texting or on Facebook I assume, and one read a book the whole time.  Really?  It was sad to me to see that.  I see it so much when we eat out too.  We don't take much of anything for the kids to do when we eat out, and maybe that's a mistake.  Most of the time they are good though, and participate in the conversation/experience.  Mexican is the best because you get chips/salsa right away and Henry even loves to dip chips in the salsa.  I hope we never "check-out" as a family.  I will have to make sure we don't! 
• Some have asked how to comment on the blog.  It does seem complicated, but I think what you do is click on where it says "no comments" and then a page will pop up where you can leave a comment if you wish.  I hope that's how it works anyway!  I will keep trying to figure this out!

Well, gotta go-sorry this is a shorter Monday post.    I'm being beckoned at the swings.  I will be so glad when we get our new swing set to play on!