Sweet 16!

It's hard to believe it, but our oldest just turned 16! Emily had a wonderful birthday on Thursday, filled with love from her friends and family.

Still growing -- half an inch since last year

Studying for her learner's permit

Call from G-M & G-P ♥

A great day ✓

On the very next day, Steve took Emily to the Driver Examination Centre so that she could take the G1 (written) test. She passed!

Success!

What a sweet age it is to be 16. Gaining independence and life skills without all the extra stress and expectations of adulthood. Have fun, Emily!! We are so proud of you.

Weekend in Montreal

This weekend we made a quick trip to Montreal for a reunion with my paternal cousins. I grew up seeing these cousins once or twice a year for special occasions, but we hadn't all seen each other in a very long time. This reunion might become an annual event! And of course the Paschkowiaks were there too.

The Thibodeau cousins & partners

It was a French-speaking affair, so Steve and the girls had to brush up on their French from school. It was a lovely gathering!

While in Montreal we decide to stay one night and watch an MLS soccer game, where we cheered on Montreal to a victory against Austin, 3-2. Though we're not big soccer fans (the Paschkowiaks are!), it was an exciting game to watch.  

Our summer activities are winding down as school is set to start in less than two weeks. It's been a beautiful (albeit rainless) summer! 

Jessi Gets Braces:: Step 6: Full Braces (& Math Camp!)

Jessi just had a very big week! First she said goodbye to her family since she was off to Math Quest: an overnight math camp for girls at Queen's University. Then partway through camp she happily said goodbye to her Clark Twin Block appliance after wearing it full time for seven months and said hello to braces. It wasn't ideal that both events happened at the same time, but it was better than having to wait until September for braces.

I took a few comparison pictures with her retainer before she left. Here was her progress to date:

Before vs. Expander vs. Retainer
(September 16th, 2024 - August 10th, 2025)

Her retainer smile

Steve dropped Jessi off at camp on Sunday afternoon. We got plenty of texts and updates from her throughout the week; she was having a great time!

Then on Thursday afternoon, Emily and I whisked Jessi away from camp for just under 2 hours to bring her to her appointment. It was a treat to see Jessi and thankfully the entire appointment went smoothly.

Removing her retainer for the last time

Choosing a bracket colour (silver vs. gold)

How are you feeling?

Choosing an elastic colour (light pink)

Naturally I was booked in for a tightening at the same time as Jessi's appointment, so I was sitting in the chair next to her. I received a new plan for my elastics: top-front to bottom-back on the left side, but top-back to bottom-front on the right. Sounds strange, but it's definitely helping to fix the alignment of my top and bottom teeth.

My view

Jessi did well with her long appointment of stretched lips, bitter glue, and a new smile. Emily and I enjoyed being there for her and taking pictures.

Learning how to care for her braces

You did it!

Back to camp

We brought Jessi right back to camp so she could finish the week. Fortunately the dining hall had a few soft-food options for her sore teeth! And she didn't have to suffer away from home for too long: pickup was the following afternoon.

I'll post more about her braces next month!