The Orthodontist Lied

This is the official update regarding Nate's braces. He wants the world to know that he has not gotten to chew gum in over a year. He is also not happy that our orthodontist told him he'd only have to wear his braces for a year. In truth, he has to now wear them for a total of one year and THREE months! Oh my...three more months than was originally estimated. He's not happy about this, but because a definitive end is in sight, he is dealing.

I have to say, dentists and orthodontists for kids have come a long way since my childhood. I really am not all that old, but I don't recall such incredible waiting rooms or perks when I was going in for cleanings and check ups. Nate's orthodontist's office is totally tricked out! The waiting room has a huge plasma screen television, always playing the latest and greatest kid movie. There's an entire room dedicated to Wii and Playstation - the place Nate heads to as soon as we walk in the door. He even gets "Bubba Bucks." This is quite the incentive program, I have to say. Don't ask me why, but our orthodontist has a "mascot" who is a water buffalo and his name is Bubba. I guess that's what you call a water buffalo from Texas, I don't know. Nate can earn Bubba bucks for all sorts of things - for showing up to his appointment on time, for wearing his orthodontist's t-shirt (great marketing), for having good hygiene when they put his new bands on... for just being the cute kid he is (honestly, I think those front desk ladies give him Bubba Bucks merely because he's such a good kid)... So we cashed in this past visit. Nate had sixty Bubba Bucks after a year of going to see the orthodontist. He turned them in and got a $30 Game Stop card and a couple of Chick-Fil-A gift certificates.

The other "perk" of braces is the various colored bands you get to choose from everytime they get changed. Over the course of this past year we have oft gotten orange and white (go Longhorns!), and a plethora of other combinations in honor of various sports teams that Nate has an affinity for...

We are looking forward to JANUARY when the braces will officially come off! Nate has already asked that we plan to buy a big package of bubble gum before we go. We will then ceremoniously break open the package upon our departure from the orthodontist's office and he can chew as much bubble gum as he wants...