The Dentist Appointment

Maybe it is just a coincidence that the week that Cort has a dentist appointment is the same week that he takes a llama for show and share (the letter of the week is L).  But this was always one of my favorite Sesame Street clips.

Fittingly, February is National Children's Dental Health Month.  In Cortlan's class, the week's topic/theme has been dental hygiene.  They have learned all about teeth and going to the dentist and have read books, sung songs, and created teeth masterpieces.  So, yesterday, when Cortlan piped up that he was going to be going to the dentist, his teacher wasn't sure if that was simply a 4-year-old's tale, or if, coincidentally, he actually had a dentist appointment.  In fact, he did.  And, true to form, he was excited about it.

We got to the dentist and Cortlan was already talking about what color toothbrush he was going to pick.  When it was our turn to head back, he happily climbed into the chair, donned the sweet sunglasses (though he did mention that he liked the flip-up ones that he had last time a little better), and followed every instruction he was given.  They used the electric tooth brush with blue raspberry tooth paste; they used the water sprayer and suction device; they even scraped a bit of plaque off from behind his teeth and painted on fluoride.  No problem.  He was lavished with compliments and got to pick a tattoo and two stickers when he was done.  Cool.

But here was the slightly-surprising-but-not-really part:  the whole time, Everly was jumping at the chance to climb up on the chair to have her turn, too.  She soooo badly wanted them to stick things in her mouth and check her teeth and paint on fluoride.  And of course, she wanted to wear the sunglasses.

She didn't have an appointment scheduled, so it came much to my surprise when the hygienist said, "Let me check my schedule and get you some papers to fill out.  We might be able to do this."  Well, ok!  Everly excitedly said, "My turn!!" as she climbed up on the chair.

And quietly, patiently, trustingly, she let them do anything they wanted...with full cooperation.  Just like her big brother.

 
And just like her brother, she got a tattoo and two stickers.  And she was proud.  And so was I...of both of them.