Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Brantley thought this Christmas was the best ever! I think he has said that every year. Santa was very good to Brantley. He brought him a freestyle bike, Rock Band for the Wii, Lego Rock Bank, tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters, and several other things. I'd list everything he got from everyone, but I don't know that I could remember everything.

No more cross bite

Brantley had his checkup at the dentist yesterday. He saw my dentist for the first time instead of the pediatric dentist we had been going to. They made me mad the last time he had a checkup so I decided to move him. I didn't force him. I gave him the choice and he wanted to change. He never liked going to the dentist. I had told my dentist that Brantley hated going to the dentist and that he gagged really easily. The hygienist made the visit really fun for him and they used a little trick to keep him from gagging while doing his x-rays. She put a little bit of salt on the tip of his tongue and on the the x-ray things that they put in your mouth. He didn't gag even once. I don't know if there is something scientific about it or if it's all mental, but it worked. He felt like he was eating french fries. The hygienist was so fun and Brantley was having a great time. He even liked the dentist when he came to take a look at his teeth. When Brantley was about 4 his dentist told me he had a cross bite and would need to have braces if his permanent teeth didn't come in better. The other dentist hasn't mentioned it since. So, I asked my dentist about it and he said Brantley's permanent teeth have come in very well and his cross bite has corrected itself. He does have a lot of crowding, but nothing too serious. He will eventually need braces, but probably not for a couple more years at least. As we left Brantley said, "Mom, I want to come back here!" He had a big smile on his face when he said it.

2009 Christmas Photo

Here is the making of our Christmas photo this year.

Quotable Quotes

Brantley: "Mom, come here."

Me: "What?"

B: "Mom, just come here. Look. That present is coming open. I promise I didn't do it."
--It looked like some tape had come loose and the flap on the end had flipped open slightly.

Me: " Well, reach under there and press it closed."

B: "But, I don't want to see what it is!"
--He couldn't see what it was and he did press the flap back down.

Basketball time!

Today was the Tarheels first game, since last Saturday was a bye. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the team played together. I was cracking up at Hunter telling some of the others where they were supposed to be. They only have 3 plays, but a couple of the players can't remember what they are supposed to do. Brantley was the starting point guard. He put up several shots that didn't go in but he didn't let it get to him. He was visibly disappointed with the missed shots, but it just made him more determined. He ended up with 8 points and Hunter had 4. Final score was Tarheels 19, Gators 12.

Seriously...This is just not right.

Brantley's new shoes came today. When I pulled them out of the box, I thought there is no way he can wear these. They have to be too big, which is fine because he could grow into them. I was able to fully insert my foot into said shoe. Granted, they were snug, but I could walk around the house in them. Brantley does have growing room in them, but c'mon. Why can't my waistline be as freakishly small as my feet?

What is Christmas all about?

Today in Brantley's folder was a letter about the holiday plans for not just his class, but all of the third grade classes. Instead of exchanging gifts they are collecting items to donate to two local charities. One is a ministry that has a "store" of sorts where families who qualify can go and get things for Christmas. The other is a non-profit nursing home. So tonight while we were out we bought some items to donate. Brantley helped pick out what we got. A couple in the store overheard what we were talking about. They had recently held a food drive for the ministry and thought what the kids were doing to help out was just wonderful.

Tomorrow is our annual holiday shopping day at my company. This is one of this things that I love about my company. Instead of spending money on a stuffy holiday party they give us each an "angel" to shop for then they bus us all over to Wal-mart to shop. Last year I had the privilege of shopping for two children in need and I believe the company spent about $140,000 on gifts for about 800 children. It's a tradition they started years ago and a wonderful way to give back. I've got my Santa hat ready! Let's do some shopping!