Summertime Fun

I realized that it's been almost a month since my last post - the one where I was hoping for some sunny days. With a hiatus like that I've obviously enjoyed many summer days.

One of the highlights of the past few weeks is the day I surprised my Granddaughter and took her to 'a special park'. Kya loves when we go to the water park, as we did many times last summer.  But this time she was in for a real treat.

View of Toronto's skyline from Centre Island. Double tier ferry is part of the fun of getting there.

Just off of the shoreline of Toronto's harbour is a chain of small islands, one of the most popular islands is Centre Island. It is a beautiful park area with Lake Ontario wrapping around it and includes Centreville, a children's amusement park with old fashioned simple rides and a little farm. The park was built in 1967 with a turn-of-the-century old town theme.

But the first order of the day for Kya's trip to the 'special park' was taking one of the big double tier ferry's to the island. We parked the stroller on the lower enclosed area of the ferry and I took her upstairs to the open rail area. The look on her face was the same as so many people who take in the beautiful view of Lake Ontario and Toronto's skyline for the first time - she was in awe. Porter Airline jets flew in to the island airport over head just as we pulled away from the dock and added to the excitement of the trip.

Lower deck of the island ferry.

On the upper deck looking back at Toronto's skyline.

There are great rides that are perfect for smaller children and I was excited to see that Centreville has restored and renewed the activities, but they have not deviated from the theme. When we rode on the antique car together I was choked up,  it took me back many years to excursions that I took my own children on there.

Centreville - were 3 year old's are encouraged to drive.

The amusement rides are perfect for young children. Kya drove us around the track in the antique car, took the firetruck out by herself, squealed with delight on the carousel, drove the swan boat with a little help, and took two spins around the park on the blue railroad train {which she insisted is Thomas the train}. There are many other rides and some games at Centreville but these were the highlights of our day together.

Far Enough Farm is a small farm area in the park area that allows children to view a variety of animals. Kya was in full Doctor Dolittle mode 'talking to the animals'. She loved it and it provided a quiet period of time wandering through the farm area.

The trip around the amusement park area on the train gives riders a view of all the fun.

The Swan Ride at Centreville.

The island includes a great park area that is perfect for picnics, open beaches, a splash water park, bike rentals {also a double tandem bike for four}, and canoe rentals. Add ice cream to the mix and it made for a perfect day.

After the fun, lunch in the park and a messy ice cream cone we headed back to the dock for the ferry back home. I'm not sure who had more fun - me or Kya. It was so nice to experience the fun of the park with her, watch her excitement and reminisce about the trips I took there with my own children. I asked another guest at the park to take a picture of us together so we can look back one day at our first play date at the park. I know this will be the first of many trips for Kya to Centre Island.

Hot, sweaty and tired = a fun day!

Wishing for a sunny day

Melenos Lindos, Greece                                         via: glamourbeginsathome

We've been teased by a few sunny days, so the cool rainy weather right now is making me dream about the warm patio days ahead. 

This pretty patio is at the Melenos Lindos Hotel in Rhodes........ and it really was the perfect spot to sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the warm days. 

Bring on the sun.

SMILE

'The most beautiful thing a girl can wear is her smile'

This is what I keep referring to in my mind as the 'brave post'.... it's been a long time coming.

I have to admit that Stacy Curran from Mary Jane's Makeup {and South Shore Blogspot} gave me courage. Stacy recently posted a video of herself without makeup {here} showing her daily skincare and cosmetics application routine - that deserves applause. Thanks for the nudge Stacy.

So here is my brave post about my current experience with Invisalign braces.
Invisalign is the invisible braces system that corrects your teeth alignment, bite, palate and smile. 

I thought long about the fact that I walked around smiling and chatting to people with crooked teeth for my entire life so far. So showing what my smile was like and the newly evolving smile should be no problem, but it's hard when it points directly at the flaw. And let's be totally honest - I pick the good pictures to post {like everyone does}.

Happy to be in Paris with Richard. The smile......... not happy about it at all.

As a kid the dentist told my parents that I should be outfitted for the single bar brace. Remember those? it looked like you had a wire hoop hanging on to your teeth. My Mother said 'No, we are not doing that'. As any dentist will tell you other things are happening behind the crooked teeth. My bite was 'off' {I'm sure there is a more technical term} and I kept biting on one side causing stress to several teeth and I was uncomfortable.

I was always happy if a picture of me turned out with a nice smile. But as I aged my teeth moved even more and rather rapidly over the past few years {apparently normal}. I began to try and compensate for an 'ugly smile' which made my smile really look odd.
When we were in Paris I was so excited about going to the Eiffel Tower with Richard and having our picture taken. I felt disappointed that the image with my crooked smile ruined the picture of us. 

close up of the before

I was still going to the dentist in my old neighbourhood and Richard recommended that I go to his dentist which is closer to our home.  I noticed the dentist had Invisalign at his practice and I asked him about it - I really didn't think the little plastic brace would help me. He told me that I was a great candidate and how easy the system is.

I was excited about the thought of having what I've always referred to as 'Chicklet teeth' ....... little rows of straight chicklets all even.

Last January we started the process of correcting my bite and smile. The first brace went on in February 2012 and I have another 8 months left. I think if you are younger and don't have as much shifting to be done as I want, the process is shorter. I have had a cap removed and the Invisalign process is closing the gap between two back teeth, that has required more time than the average system.

Let me just stop and say that I am THRILLED with the results so far. At only six weeks into the program I saw results that made me wish I had ventured down this road before.
So what is it like ?  Here are some of the questions I've been asked about wearing Invisalign:

Does it hurt?
          The first weekend wearing the braces is memorable. It felt like my teeth had been knocked, but a bit of Tylenol and I was OK. I've had a few other times like that since, but nothing unbearable and the results are so worth it.

Do you wear them all the time?
         Yes. The only time you don't wear the braces is to eat. I take them out, eat, brush my teeth, brush the braces clean with toothpaste and pop them back in. Richard teased me in the beginning of the process and would ask 'how many times have you brushed your teeth today' {LOTS}. You do wear them when you sleep and that is so much easier than I thought it would be. 

via shantee.com

 How do you clean the braces?
           You clean the braces with toothpaste. The material is clear so it makes it easy to see if you need scrub with the toothbrush a bit more.

Is it easy to get them out?
          The first week I would literally sweat trying to get the braces out. I would give myself five minutes to remove them before a meal. I remember being afraid I'd cut my gum or hurt myself. A good tip is to use a very fine crochet hook to pull the top of the brace away and release it from your gum line. So much easier, more gentle on my nails and no effort.


Is Invisalign expensive?
           I was surprised at the price of Invisalign. The entire cost {molds, braces every two weeks, adjustments if needed - and I've needed several, visits to the dentist to check the aligners every six weeks, bonding and whitening at the completion} for mine is $5,500. It will vary with the amount of work and let's just say with my age I need a bit more work. My daughters traditional braces 12 years ago was 2K more than my Invisalign. Can I say again - I'm thrilled. 

Do you experience shredding on the inside of your mouth like traditional braces?
           I have had a few times that the plastic on the Invisalign rubbed the inside of my mouth or tongue and caused ripping. But a soft nail buffer can soften the edge of the plastic if it's too sharp.

What about dis-colouration of your teeth?
          Use Sensodyne toothpaste for sensitivity. Whitening toothpaste daily to keep your smile bright and the braces clean. I gently use a soft electronic toothbrush once a day. 

Six weeks and already starting to move.

 

Well on the way - Invisalign is giving me a lot of reasons to smile.

 Can you design your new smile?
          Yes. I love that along the way you can ask your dentist to adjust the way your teeth are moving into place. If you like the straight across level edge to your teeth - you've got it. If you want a bit more natural and rounded look to the edge - you've got it. The dentist gave me a mini movie slide-show in the beginning to show how my teeth will move into position. 

Finally I can smile with confidence.

What are the benefits of Invisalign versus tradition braces?
          For me it is correcting my bite, helping keep my natural teeth healthy, straightening my teeth - YEAH, beautiful new smile, and bringing my philtrum {space between your upper lip and nose} back in line. I had lost volume in this area and the Invisalign is helping to correct it and enhance my upper lip area {oh, what a lovely bonus}.

A Happy Smile.

I love that Invisalign is helping me correct my bite, improve my smile and help keep my natural teeth healthy. I finally love to smile. 
My Daughter {who is gorgeous - I know I've told you dear readers that before} has the prettiest smile, and she keeps telling me how beautiful my smile is. I can't think of a bigger compliment than these words coming from her. 

Whew - OK, brave post complete ............ and way more pictures of myself than I ever thought I'd post. I'll show you the shining results when it is all finished.

You are never too old to smile with confidence or correct your dental problems.

My dentist is  Doctor James Vassallo. He has the most incredible chair-side manner and can be found at 295 Eglinton East - Mississauga, 905.568.1988. If you are in the west end of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton - he is worth the visit.