Our summers pretty much look the same from year to year…
They are spent near the lake, the Dudes are in various states of undress, and the little one is doing something nutso with his face.
The only thing that seems to change is the size of The Dudes’ heads.
Everything else? Not super creative.
But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun and stay insanely busy.
Actually, that’s one of the funny things about summer, while the kids are home more, doing less homework, spending less time at organized activities, and more time getting all up in my grill, it seems that it’s also the time the blogging community decides to really get its party on.
When I sit here and analyze things, maybe it’s because the kids are all up in your grill more that this happens?
I’m certain that the people who are in charge of rocking blogging conferences and events have come to the realization that it’s during these exasperating summer months that mama bloggers really could use a break from their nutty kids to regroup, refocus, and revitalize their dedication to blogging and whatnot.
So yeah, perfect time to throw a conference, or an event, or a workshop or something, right?
When my homies at Invisalign came along and asked me to co-host an event with them and some of my other influential mom pals in Baltimore recently, I was all um, will there be food (always my first question regarding these things)?
Yeah.
And babysitting?!
Yeah!
And an inspirational photo taking workshop by the White on Rice Couple?!
YEAH!
Ok. I was in when they said food, but the babysitting and the photo workshop were pretty fresh too!
But it was also an opportunity to connect with some of my local blogging buds…
and to be on an informational panel sharing my experience with Invisalign thus far.
So. Much. Fun.
And, something I really do care about too.
Because not only do I currently wear Invisalign myself, but my oldest son has already had his first phase of braces on, and #2 is getting his on this Monday.
We are a family that loves to smile so we make it a point to really keep our pearly whites intact though proper dental care and oral hygiene. And, as far as I’m concerned, a healthy smile just requires orthodontia.
And, I’m not the only one who thinks so.
People tend to make their first impressions of others by how wrecked their grill is the moment they put their eyes on them, and they base that impression largely on how many whispers and points they get appearance whether they realize it or not.
People judge you on your clothing, and your hair style, the way you walk, the way you talk, and even how you smile. I like to keep an open mind about someone’s awesomeness when I first meet them, but even I make snap judgements based on superficial things when I encounter someone for the first time.
It maybe isn’t right, but it’s still totally true.
See? The infographic proves it…
This is why I tell The Dudes to dress well, maintain their personal hygiene, walk with their head up and smile when they greet someone. I want their first impression on someone to be: um, pretty sure this Dude is amazing!
And, just like I’m not too perturbed that I will one day be shelling out the Benjamins for The Dudes to go to college (is there a thousand dollar bill? Because it’s going to take a grip of hundreds to pay for college), I am only borderline incensed to discover that I will probably sink a good 25 grand into my children’s’ mouths.
Thank goodness for repeat customer discounts! And sweet giveaways!
Invisalign is currently hosting an amazing Pimp My Grill New Smile Contest (isn’t my title so much better?!) to help offset the cost of a new smile for yourself or your kid. You could win
Not in the market for a new smile at the moment?! That’s cool! They are also giving away $150 gift cards to two runners up!
So you should enter. Because I’m pretty sure $150 could rock your ability to attend a conference this summer or just hire a sitter for your kids so you can peacefully enjoy a half dozen cupcakes without having to crouch behind your car in the garage to do it.
*pBd Admits These People are Fixing Her Grill: I am a member of the Invisalign Teen Mom Advisory Board and receive complimentary treatment as part of this association. I rock parties because I like to. http://www.invisalign.com/Pages/mabdisclosure.aspx
**Note to people who plan events for brands: if you have babysitting I WILL be in the house. I don’t care if you want to give me a 25 minute presentation on diarrhea remedies. I don’t care if you want me to watch a goat give birth live. Give me something yummy to eat and take my kids for a couple of hours and I will be there.
***This post was inspired equally by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, people who judge, and Invisalgn.
I might have to check out that contest. Buddy’s teeth are pretty straight, but he has an overbite, and there is some definite crowding.
Our summer’s usually look much the same too. Playing, running jumping and splashing in the water. It awesome and I kinda like it.
The girls’ grills are in need of ortho. I kinda made it a rule that neither of them could start until I was finished. I get my braces off in September and my oldest will need to be on my heels with getting hers on. What I think needs to be discussed more in depth, though, is the importance of good oral hygiene BEFORE braces. Because once they’re on and your kid wasn’t a flosser before, shyt gets real, son: gingivitis, swelling, bleeding, funkmouth, you name it. (Trust me, I know. This is my third time).
This is the true beauty of Invisalign. The ability to maintain personal oral hygiene is there. You just take them out brush, floss, and roll! So awesome!
I’m sure at least one of my two will need some type of orthodontia work. I did. My teeth were jacked. They are better now, but I’m sure I could use some realignment. Retainers suck yo.
Your dudes are adorbs! Those pics look like pages out of a magazine.
I had braces three – yes, THREE – different times when I was a kid and I’m pretty sure my boys are going to suffer similarly. Even though my oldest is 8 he hasn’t lost a single tooth yet. Weird huh?
My son lost his first tooth last year at 8….and it’s the ONLY one he’s lost naturally! He had to have 2 pulled last summer and just had 3 pulled on Tuesday. Hopefully the rest will fall out naturally…we will see.
So jealous of all the blogging conferences you get to go to! I’m going to my first in October. Finally. So I’d take $150 any day!
What an awesome giveaway! I had braces, clear braces that looked weird, before and hated them. My teeth are mostly straight now, but I’ve been told my my dentist that a little invaslign-ing couldn’t hurt. I regret being unable to attend that conference! It looks and sounds like it was a blast!
Your dudes are so adorably handsome! You make beautiful babies :D Your bloggy conference sounds like so much fun. I saw lots of fun photos on your Instagram.