Define Grapple

Not much help with the definition. It is pronounced with a long a.

I was at the grocery store looking for some grapes for the Little Prince. They didn't have the best selection so I checked out the apples (now that he can eat them without being cut up). Not much there either. Then I spotted these. He said they are pretty good. I didn't taste any grape, but they did smell a bit grape-ish. It was strange to be eating an apple yet smelling grapes. Interesting.

The big day

Can you remember what you were doing 14 months ago? That would have been August 2010. Click here to see what we were doing. We have spent 14 months cutting up pizza and breaking up Italian rolls. 14 months of no Starbursts, Sweedish Fish or Snickers. 14 months of doctor visits and band color changes.

As of Thursday, the Little Prince is brace free! What a beautiful smile!

Christmas colors

Earlier this month, one of the Little Prince's brackets came loose. When they re-glued it, he got to change his colors. The top is all one red band called a Power Chain. It is starting to close the gap between his two front teeth. See the little bit of green on his bottom teeth? Must be close to Christmas!

The big screen

The Little Prince finally made it to the big screen as part of the orthodontist's "New Faces in Braces" marquee. His second check up went well. Along with a new wire to tighten his teeth, he got to pick new band colors. He chose Metalic Gold. Close to brown, I guess.

One month later

It is hard to believe it has already been over a month since the Little Prince got his braces. Today he went for his one month check-up. Can you tell what new colors he got? (click photo to enlarge) Since this was his first time back, Dr S said they would only be changing the bands. Next month, they will tighten the wires as well.

On the way to the appt, (which was actually not until Wednesday -- SOMEBODY put it on the calendar wrong) the Little Prince planned his color choices for the next 8 months. November = brown for turkeys; December = red and green; January = white for snow; February = red for hearts; March = green; April = blue for showers; May = pink for flowers (when I questioned that one, he informed me that boys were allowed to like pink and purple); June = blue because that is his birthday month and blue is his favorite color. It will be interesting to see if he sticks with these color choices. I really do hope he changes his mind for May...

The big day

77.

Today is the big day and the Little Prince is in the chair again. This time for a different reason.

He checks out the bands they put on his molars. Why bands?

To attach these lovelies on the bottom...

and these on the top. Yes, at the tender age of 8, the Little Prince has braces. What a way to end your summer, eh? At least he has the rest of the week and the weekend to get used to them before school starts on Monday. He was excellent, though, during the process of getting them put on. Now if only I can remember all the steps to cleaning them and what he can no longer eat, we will be in awesome shape!