Dentist and Dala Trot

On May 15, 2015, Clara had her first dentist visit...needless to say it was not a big hit! She really liked the play kitchen in the waiting room and was happy to see Kate (and show Kate her big girl panties that we bought before the appointment) who is a dental assistant at California KiDDS where we went. Kate went over good dental hygiene and then brushed Clara's teeth. Clara screamed and had to be held down, but it honestly wasn't any different than when we hold her down and brush her teeth at home. She got over it as soon as Kate was down brushing and then played with the train while we waited for the dentist. As soon as she saw the dentist (who wasn't even wearing a coat), Clarita started screaming and trying to climb over me. Dr. Evans was amazing, very calm and patient, and we held Clara down while he looked at her teeth and applied fluoride. It took less than five minutes but Clara was hysterical. She wouldn't even take the balloon from Dr. Evans she was so upset! As soon as he left she calmed down and accepted the balloon and a token to get a prize from Kate. She chose a bouncy ball and was content to play in the kitchen while we made her an appointment. Luckily her teeth are healthy and we don't have to come back for six months! I'm glad that Kate was there to help make the experience a little less traumatic! We got pizza per Clara's request for lunch and celebrated that night with an ice cream cone (don't tell the dentist)!

Yellow ice cream is the best (especially

while walking down the street in a bib)!

The following day was the annual Swedish Festival in our little town. I have run the race, the Dala Trot since we returned from Peace Corps, always with the goal to win (that didn’t always happen). This year I obviously had no chance at winning, but I still did the race. I opted for the two mile race instead of the 10K since I knew I would push myself too hard if I did the longer run. Aba pushed Clara in the two mile race and Tia tried to beat me like she did when I was 8.5 months pregnant with Clarita. Turns out I wasn’t pregnant enough and I still beat her! I managed to run a 15:50 time and keep it right under an eight minute pace. I was happy with my time and we all enjoyed the Swedish pancake breakfast after the race. Chelsea pushed Lyla and Ashley pushed Eliana in the two mile race and Sarah pushed Reedcito and Kierito in the 10K with her mom to keep her company (she was the real champion)! It was a stroller convention at breakfast and so fun to see all the kids. Tio and Bailey were the cheerleaders during the race and Bailey can’t wait to get pushed next year!

Trying to beat our neighbor pushing his daughter (we tied)

Racing is so easy...

Aba and Clarita

We made it!

Ashley and Eli and Chelsea and Lyla

The littlest babysitters

Grape Escape!

Let's shake on it

Stroller convention!

After breakfast we went to the parque with Aba and the McClartys and the kids had a great time playing. Clara and I headed home to change and then went back for the parade. She really liked all the ninos and the garbage truck with a Viking helmet on! She also liked all of the tractors and wanted to drive the little one. Dada was doing a hundred mile bike ride so he missed out on the festivities...perhaps he can join us next year. We're already looking forward to it!

Garbage truck with a hat!

Watching the parade

Wearing her wooden shoes Dada got her in Denmark to get
into the festive mood (Denmark is almost like Sweden right?)