Week in Review

Oh, my dear Sebastian.

This is not the best bird-hunting technique.

The Queen's English car show was this weekend, and Stace and I made a quick trip there to walk around and admire.

Later on Sunday, Cora was at a show choir rehearsal, so Stace, Violet and I took another Quigley walk. The wildflowers were beautiful! Besides the poppies, these tiny lavender flowers were pretty and prolific.

The girls returned to school, and on Thursday, we went to Violet's last Family Dance at her elementary school. She didn't want to go, but because it was one of our final family events at the school, we forced her to go. Can you tell that we also forced her to take this photo in front of the photo backdrop?

Violet doesn't like crowds, modern music, or loud music, so DJs and dance music aren't her thing. We didn't really spend much time in the actual dance, so I snapped a quick pic as we left, for memory's sake.

Exciting day on Friday! Violet got her braces off! Here she is, post-removal, taking all the photos for her chart. 

Just look at that gorgeous smile! 

Violet had two loose teeth, and both were pulled out when the ortho tech removed the braces. Her LAST two loose teeth!

So, the Tooth Fairy made one last stop at our house (years after our dear girls knew the truth...). The note says, "Congrats on a mouth of adult teeth, Violet! - TF"
 

Tidbits

Violet has needed a few fillings in recent weeks, so we've been back and forth to the dentist's office. But, we love our dentist, so it's been almost fun. This week, they were decorating for Valentine's Day, and we realized that Violet matched their walls. They took a similar photo of her, and put it on their Facebook page. Violet is famous!

We had a gorgeous warm day Sunday - the first warm day in a while - so we rode our bikes down to the new Starbucks in Granary Square. The Starbucks that had been in place for over 25 years - SClarita's first - moved two doors down into the former Hallmark spot. It's way bigger.

The girls were also crafty over the weekend. Pioneer Club held its annual drive-in movie night, and Violet was eager to make a car. She designed it herself and worked on it for hours. She did a great job!

Meanwhile, Cora taught herself how to wire-wrap pieces of  sea glass to make earrings.

Violet's completed car - right-hand drive!

She had a license plate and bumper sticker on the back, along with the racing stripes and a working trunk.

Cora also decorated some frames we've had lying around - just need to print some photos up for her to put in them. She wants pictures of her with her friends - so classic tween/teen!

Cool new earrings, Cora!

Week in Review

Cora was invited to her friend Chris's birthday dinner, so Stace and I let Violet choose where we had dinner Saturday. She picked MOD Pizza; her choice was pineapple and bacon pizza, and Stace convinced her to add ham, too.

We were all invited back to Liz and Max's house for cake, so we enjoyed the evening with drinks and chit chat while the kids had a Nerf war in the cul-de-sac.

On Sunday, Violet went with Grandma and Grandpa to the water park for Grandpa's annual union picnic. Cora stayed back with me and Stace; she still isn't a fan of long car rides. 

Instead, we went to Placerita Nature Center, where SClarita historian and writer John Boston gave a talk on interesting tidbits from the valley's past. We all enjoyed it; I knew John back when he had a regular column in the Signal, and I freelanced for that paper.

We then took a little walk through the canyon.

Violet started using a new backpack, a really good one that might take her through to junior high. Yes, it's nearly as big as she is. But I still see her looking so much older in this photo! It must be the hair, with her longer locks and her bangs.

A month ago, when we were getting Cora's hair cut for back-to-school, Violet declined a trim.
"I'm growing my hair out so people at school don't recognize me," she informed us. When we asked why, she explained, "Everybody knows me and likes me and goes to talk to me!"

OK, then! Another Violetism, from this week... She overheard Stace and me talking about a family member with car troubles, and she said, "That's why I don't want a car when I'm older. I want a horse."
Stace replied: "What, you're going back in time?"
"No," she said, "I'm going to live in England!"

She then said she wants to live on a farm in England, where her horse would be reasonable transportation.



Cora has football practice twice a week, and though we don't all need to be there, Stace and I have enjoyed making it a family event. Violet brings books - she's reading through the second Harry Potter book at the moment.

Also this week, Cora got her retainer for her teeth, to keep those newly straightened top teeth in line.

Cute, huh? She chose this watermelon design from a long list of possibilities. It also glows in the dark. She takes it out to eat; let's cross fingers she doesn't lose it anytime soon.

Accomplishments

Wednesday was a big day for Cora - she got her braces off!

Dr. Megan and Dr. Pete were so pleased that Cora wore her orthodontist shirt to the office, they made sure to take a photo with her.

Here, Dr. Pete shows Cora the tool he was using to clean the glue off her teeth, after the brackets were removed. She said having her braces off hurt a bit; of course it was worth it in the end.




















It was a nice touch that they gave Cora a candy bar and Cracker Jack, a caramel popcorn treat, as a congratulatory gift. The candy bar contained caramel - both treats were forbidden while she was wearing her braces.

Such a gorgeous smile, Cora! She is truly a beautiful young lady.

Violet also had a big week - she's been saving for months to buy this Lego Elves dragon and castle set, and it arrived in the mail this week. She was so excited for it to come!

After working on it for several days, Violet completed the 833-piece set Friday night. It's great watching her work, and then watching her play.

And also this week, Cora gave Mrs. Shafarman a copy of her book she wrote from her gold mining project. Mrs. Shafarman was thrilled!

I was so happy to see her teacher's words on Facebook a couple of days later: "This week I received one of the coolest, most special gifts ever! This marvelous young lady took the story she wrote for her Miner's Museum 4th grade project and, over the summer, turned it into a book. I'm so grateful for students like her. This is what makes it all worth it. Thank you, Miss Cora (and Lisa) for something I will cherish always! (Pam, check out the dedication)."

A New Look

Monday was the day we'd been waiting for, for more than 18 months. After waiting for certain teeth to fall out, and her expander to make more room on top, Cora had her braces put on Monday morning.

Here is her before smile...

















Next is halfway through the process, with the brackets glued on...

And, all done! (At Cora's request, I'm not posting the closeup of her braces.)
We are so pleased with her orthodontist's office. Great service so far!

The best cure for a sore mouth (next to Advil)? Lots of new books to read! We checked out an armful at the library after her appointment. She was such a trooper! No complaints, even though we all know she would have had some discomfort.

Even more helpful was a bit of frozen yogurt. Cora chose red and green bands for her braces, naturally.

We think she looks pretty darn cute with them on, even if they do help her look more grownup.

Flight Home, Lunch and Reading Fun

Our trip home went smoothly, aided by two gingerbread people Stace bought the girls as gifts at a Pikes Market bakery. These little two-hour flights are so fun!











We flew up on Virgin America, and home on Alaska Airlines. Both were excellent, and on Virgin America, we flew for free using air miles.

 

On Wednesday, I went to La Grande Orange in Pasadena for lunch with some of my mama friends. Melanie works here, partly through my connection with my friend Melissa, and this is the tree Melanie decorated for the restaurant.

Unfortunately, she couldn't serve us, because she and Nick were off to pick up their new family member, a kitten!

Later on Wednesday, Cora had a checkup at the orthodontist, and she pulled out Cora's tooth that was being pushed out awkwardly. The numbing shot hurt more than the actual pulling.

On Thursday night, the school held its annual Barnes and Noble night, where some of the teachers dress in costumes and read stories. The sales from the night benefit the school.

Here are both girls' teachers, reading together: Mrs. Shafarman as the Green Crayon, and Mrs. Hawthorne as the Blue Crayon.

This event is always so much fun!

We took Melanie and Cami along with us, and Cami, Cora and another friend settled in with books.

Skating and Park Fun

Cora and Emily came up with the idea of having a "popcorn party," this week, on the couple of days after Emily got her braces off and before Cora had her expander put in.

This is why Cora looks glum - the day after this photo was taken, she had a metal contraption attached to the roof of her mouth. No more popcorn or sticky candy for a long, long time!

We had our popcorn party at the park, where Sara and Tony had hosted "Popsicles at the Park" for the past few summers. A few other friends joined us, including Sophia, who had played at our house Wednesday.

Violet worked with Charlie and Tommy to make a next for a hummingbird, they said, out of mud and sand. "I couldn't bring it home," she said, "because it was really sticky mud."















Violet is going into first grade, therefore it's time to become a monkey bar expert. She is able to go back and forth now, and has the blisters to prove it.

This week, the girls went to the Ice Station for the afternoon ice skating camp, as they have the past few summers.

They had fun!