The other day, during school, Gracie discovered one of the "extras" that I had found for her at the CHAP convention.  It's a book called Draw and Write Through History (Pilgrims, Pirates, and Patriots).  I thought it would be a nice supplement to our All American History this year.  I purchased it from Miller Pads & Paper - but, if you're interested, you can pick up a copy at the Schoolhouse Store (where shipping is always FREE!)



She has spent the last few days drawing ferociously!  I thought I'd share a few of her creations.  First is a drawing of one of Columbus's ships - the Nina:

These were done on good old copy paper, using just a pencil and Crayola's Twistables(r) Colored Pencils. 

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....Gracie!

Wow! I can hardly believe this girl is 9 years old already.  Next year, she'll be double-digits.  We're heading for the teen years.  Where has the time gone?  Sometimes I wish we could just freeze them where they are so we could enjoy each stage for a bit longer. 

(this picture was taken on May 30th - getting ready for my cousin's wedding)

Today, we left Ashley and Ian at home (so nice that we can do that now!) and Gracie and I set off for a day of our own.  First stop was to pick up Gracie's friend, Leah (who just so happens to be my bf's daughter).  Gracie wanted to go to Build-a-Bear.

(she chose a bunny - here she is getting it stuffed)

(after stuffing, you must bath your new "pet")

(Leah's dog required some surgery today, so she needed bathed as well)

Here are the girls BEFORE choosing some new clothes for their pets.  (Leah ended up selecting a cute polka dot bikini for her dog; Gracie went with a Camp Rock shirt, black leggings, and shimmery sandals.)

After Build-a-Bear, we went to Toys R Us.  Gracie had received a $3 coupon from Geoffrey the Giraffe and she just HAD to use that thing.  She ended up with another Nintendo DS game (somehow the $3 coupon didn't make much difference! LOL)

For lunch, we headed to Friendly's -  Gracie's choice for the ice cream.  Funny thing is - she ate every bite of her lunch and was "too full" for ice cream.  How can that be?!  Lucky me - I got to eat it.  Have you had their Nuts Over Caramel?  Yum!

 

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I used to enjoy posting in the "Gracie Giggles" category (more recently called "All About Gracie").  She used to say the craziest, most humorous things.  Now that she's almost 9 (her birthday is Tuesday!), those funny things are almost nonexistent. 

However, today, we were playing a game of Life Twists & Turns (awesome game, by the way!).  We were both in the section where you get married and have babies.  She asked me if I was naming my children.  Then, she went on to explain what she was doing.  She said:

"My husband and I aren't naming our children.  We'll wait 'til they're old enough to understand, then they can name themselves."    Can you imagine?!

Anyway, the whole concept has me curious ...
If your parents were of the same persuasion as my Gracie, what name would you have selected for yourself?  I'm quite certain that I wouldn't have picked "Heidi". 
Please leave a comment and let me know what you would have named yourself, if given that option.

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Let me preface this post by saying that my Gracie is one of those most passive kids I've ever known.  I can't even imagine ever saying that Gracie "threw a fit".  Pout, yes; get angry or have hurt feelings, yes; throw a fit, not likely! 

And another thing ... Gracie doesn't have a very high tolerance for pain and she cannot stand the sight of blood.  Up until yesterday, she has "lost" 5 teeth (I put that in quotes because, after seeing them dangle by a thread for months - literally - I've helped them all out!) 

Now, on to the story ...
Gracie's permanent teeth grow in behind her baby teeth.  So far, they've all done this.  Her 4th permanent tooth on the bottom started coming in about a year ago.  In June, the dentist said that there was no sense to pull the baby tooth (which wasn't even loose) because there wasn't room for the permanent tooth to move forward anyway, and that we should hope and pray that her lower jaw grows some over the next 6 months.  In December, the baby tooth was still hanging on for dear life and another dentist (we go to a pediatric practice) said that he would suggest "helping" it out).  The estimate for that "help" was $109 and I knew Gracie would hit the roof when they got in there to do the work - so, on the way home, I told her to get busy wiggling that thing!  (Not only would it save her great stress, but it would save me $)

Here we are in May!  I know there's another dentist appointment in our near future and Gracie not only had that tooth to get out, but 2 on top that are also loose (one of which does NOT yet have a visible permanent tooth behind it!)  Last night, we were visiting with my parents, who are taking Gracie along to the beach with them this weekend.  I just mentioned that it would be nice if Gracie could wiggle those teeth out before her trip.  My mom checked them and said they didn't seem quite ready.

About an hour later ... Gracie stood up from the couch, holding her mouth, and calmly said "Mom, I knocked my tooth loose.  Hurry up and get it out of there!"  I could see blood, so I knew it was loose, but I looked at my mom (the nurse in the family) and said "You said it wasn't ready!"  Mom grabbed a tissue and, with a little tug, the tooth came right out! 

Once the bleeding had stopped, I looked at Gracie and said "Now, how did that happen?"
She started to explain - "Well, I was throwing a fit and ..."
We all started laughing because (as stated above) throwing a fit is so out of character for Gracie.
Apparently, she was sick of everyone picking on her about those teeth.  Ashley walked over to her and Gracie was gearing up to kick her (sisterly love, you know?)  When she pulled her leg back, she was sitting in such a position that her knee made contact with her mouth (don't try that at home unless you're really limber!) and Voila!  The tooth is gone!

We asked if she might "recreate the scene of the crime" and try knocking those other two teeth out of there, but she wasn't willing.  Wonder why?

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Gracie's sporting a new look. 
Seems she was in pretty desperate need of some glasses!
It's so adorable to watch as she discovers things
that she couldn't see before.

I'm just glad we were able to get her glasses before the holidays
and our upcoming trip to Florida.

And one more picture, because Ian wanted in on the action:

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A few weeks ago, when I posted about ourtrip to the state park, I mentioned the "incredible hanging tooth".  Way back in June, when Gracie went off to camp, she had two of them.  Her front two teeth were both loose and sticking straight out.  We thought sure she'd lose them at camp, but no such luck.  The one did fall out on it's own, probably about a month ago.  But, the second one was hanging on for dear life. And, I must say, it was driving all of us (with the exception of Gracie) crazy!

Well, by last Friday, we had had enough!  I had been threatening to pull it for quite awhile, but the child just can't take any type of pain.  But, I just couldn't bear to see my pretty little girl looking so goofy any longer (so sue me, I'm vain!)  I took ahold of that hanging thing and gave it a good twist.  When we got the bleeding stopped, I proceeded to pull it out.  Let me tell you, that was one stubborn little tooth!  I wish I could take a picture of that thing for you.  It still had a sharp, pointy piece of root stuck up in her gums.

Anyway, check out the new look:

As you can clearly see,  both front teeth are already growing in.  I'm a little sad, as I never get to see my little girl with no front teeth!  LOL

You can tell that her upper jaw has expanded recently.  Her baby teeth were in there TIGHT, now you can see there is more room.  Pray with me that her lower jaw grows - SOON!  All 4 of her front bottom teeth have grown in BEHIND the baby teeth.  The first 3 baby teeth fell out and the permanent teeth moved forward.  However, the 4th one is barely loose and there's a full tooth behind it.  The dentist says it will do no good to pull the baby tooth as there's not room for the permanent tooth to move forward.  Let's just say Gracie's got braces in her future.  I think we better start the braces fund now! 

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This afternoon (after a "no cavities" dentist appointment and a birthday lunch at Red Robin), we took Gracie and dropped her off at church camp.  If you were praying for me, thanks!  I can honestly say that we dropped her off and I didn't shed a tear.  I totally didn't expect that to be the case, so I know it's a result of my friends praying for me. 

I know Gracie's 8 now; but, to me, she's still my baby girl.  It's hard for me to believe that she's old enough to go off to church camp by herself.  I pray that she has a great time, that she is able to make some new friends, and that she will learn more about God.  I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets home. 

For you Reviews by Heidi readers, here's a funny for you:  After we got Gracie settled in her cabin and were getting ready to leave, I started saying things like "now where did I tell you your raincoat is?" and "do you remember what I said about.....?"  Gracie quickly responded with, "Mom, you can stop reviewing me now!"  REVIEWING!  She said I was reviewing her!  LOL  What do you think that means, exactly?!

Please pray for Gracie over the next few days.  We'll go to pick her up on Friday afternoon.  She has an art show to be a part of on Friday evening.  Hopefully I'll get some pictures to share.

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TODAY.....

..... Gracie turns 8!

It's very hard for me to believe that this little girl is 8 years old already!  I can still remember holding her for the first time in Vietnam, and what an emotional experience that was.  Now, my baby girl is "spreading her wings"...tomorrow we will take her to church camp for the very first time.  I guess we're beginning a new era...a time of new experiences for Gracie, and a time for Mama to learn that letting go is (sometimes) ok!  But more on that tomorrow.

If you have the time, and would like to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to Gracie, please stop by her blog.  I know she'd be thrilled!

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Gracie is my creative child.  She loves drawing and doing artsy/craftsy things.  Her latest creations have been color-by-number pictures~ she draws a picture, then puts a number in each section of the picture and adds a color code.  Then, she'll give it to me (along with the exact colors I'll need) and I color it!  She has shared about it on her blog, if you're interested in seeing one of her latest color-by-number creations.  I did ask her to start making the drawings a bit larger, as some of the sections she expects me to color are pretty tiny!  LOL 

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Gee~ I should look back and see when the last time I posted a "Gracie Giggle" was.  I remember posting that she had turned 7 and the funny sayings seemed to come to a standstill.  Now, she's 1/2 way to 8!  How time flies (especially when you're having fun!)

Last night, Gracie was sitting on her little rocking chair, listening to her mp3 player (yes, I finally fought that thing and won!)  Anyway, she was just a dancin' and a singin' along (only there was no sound coming from her mouth).  I wish I would have had the video camera handy, because I know I'm not doing it justice with my words! 

I said "Gracie, what are you singing?" and she said "Nothing, I'm just mouth-lipping"!!!  LOL

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