Braces On, Benson's 5th

Tuesday afternoon, Henry got his braces on.  Josiah's orthodontist in Texas had a seat for parents next to their child.  Josiah always wanted me to go back with him, so I was there for the whole process.  At Henry's orthodontist, they have no chairs, so I said goodbye and sat in the waiting room while the magic happened.  An hour and a half later, he emerged.  They said he did very well.  They went over all the information with him.  They told me he said no to the free Dippin Dots.  At this office, if he wears his free t-shirt, he can get Dippin Dots every visit.  Henry has no intention to wear it, but when Caroline heard about it, she was ready to get her braces.  He did request mashed potatoes for dinner, so we made that happen.  Henry has been very tight lipped.  I got a 2.5 second glimpse when we got to the car.  I called myself lucky because no other family member got a peek.  Todd finally got his glimpse on Saturday.  I asked Josiah to draw an artist's rendering of Henry's mouth.  Perfection.  

Josiah had his first read-through for his play.  They had two hours to do it.  Josiah said they were speaking with emotion until time started running out and then the director said to speak at double speed.  His official practices start at the end of February - four times a week until May!  It's a lot.  

Saturday was Benson's birthday.  This year I made him a cake from peanut butter, pumpkin, applesauce, egg, and oat flour.  It was the lovely brown color which is how all his baked goods turn out.  We spent a lot of time trying to get a picture of him wearing his birthday hat.  Benson was a very good sport.  As I was taking a video of Benson downing his first slice in one gulp, I heard Henry in the background saying, "It isn't bad."  Caroline said it was dry.  I tried it and this was the best tasting treat we have ever made him.  Actually edible.

Josiah spent his weekend making dalgona cookies from Squid Game.  He's never actually seen Squid Game, but there are enough YouTubers out there that have shown some of the games.  After melting sugar, he added a tiny bit of baking soda and they puffed up.  Then he tried to get an imprint of a shape on them.  It was a big learning curve on Saturday.  Sunday, he started up again making more.  These turned out better.  The goal is to carve out the shape without breaking the cookie.  His Saturday cookies cracked on their own, so if we were contestants we'd all be dead.  Sunday's cookies turned out better and we were actually able to play the game.  Josiah and I succeeded in getting our shapes out without cracking.  They tasted like very toasted marshmallows. 

For the Super Bowl tonight, Henry and Caroline went to a friend's house to watch.  Josiah stayed home with us for some OG family time as he calls it.  The original 3.  And this guy.