On Wednesday I was really swamped covering the Cannes Film Festival for work purposes, so George took Hayley and Breanna to their eye appointments. It was really weird for me because it was the first time I had ever not gone to an appointment with them. Sitting at home (even though I was working) and waiting for a phone update was strange.
In the end it turned out that Hayley most definitely needed glasses which we had expected. She had been having trouble seeing the chalk board at school and I wasn’t surprised to find out she needed some extra help. What shocked me was that Breanna actually has terrible eyesight. It never crossed our minds because she runs around, looks at books, sees everything as far as we could tell (including things we don’t want her to see, like when we’re trying to sneak something), and watches TV. She doesn’t walk into walls or get confused, she sees planes way up in the sky, everything. Finding out her eyesight is actually worse than Hayley’s was stunning to say the least.
They got prescriptions and an appointment in July to come back and see how things were going with them. Today we went to New Look for glasses because they seemed to have the best current promotion for children’s eyewear. We don’t want to go cheap, but we also don’t want to get $300 Calvin Klein frames for kids who run around outside a lot.
Hayley was so disappointed to find out that she wasn’t going to get them today. It takes about a week to a week and a half to have them made because of their specific prescriptions. Still, they picked out their frames and were happy. *I* was happy because neither of them wanted anything obnoxious. I was worried for a second when Hayley told Breanna she had found Caillou frames. They were cute in that they had a tiny Caillou and a heart on the side, but they were a really loud primary blue and just didn’t look good on her at all. Luckily she wasn’t interested and seemed to like the oval gold-framed glasses I found in her size. Meanwhile, Hayley already knew she wanted either gold or silver since one of her teachers wears gold-framed glasses. We found some she really loved in a rectangular shape.
Even though they won’t be ready and they’re only the sample lenses, I got them to pose for pictures. Hayley is totally thrilled with hers. Because of her face shape the sales guy said we really shouldn’t go any wider than these but since she loves them they’re perfect – she has to wear them every day so being happy with them is important.
Meanwhile, Breanna is pleased with hers but she wasn’t too keen on posing so I got the standard “Breanna Silly Smile” face, but it’s close enough.
(Also I really did brush her hair before leaving home, but the windows down in the car kind of killed that effort.)
After our adventure in eyewear we stopped and had lunch at La Belle Province for some burgers and poutine, then hit the dollar store for supplies for Hayley’s rainforest project. It ended up being a pretty good day. Luckily they went to sleep easily since my parents are coming for lunch tomorrow so hopefully the kids will be rested and cheerful.
I can’t wait to get the new glasses to see what kind of difference it makes for both of them!
Be sure they are ready to deal with the few days that the back of their ears might hurt while getting used to the frames. I’ve worn glasses since I was 8 (hmm – that’s almost 60 years) and every pair has hurt for a couple days. I guess they all touch a slightly different part of the back of the ears and you just have to get used to it.
Those gals are so cute. Now they can put up with the school brutes. Oh joy.
Will enjoy hearing the girls’ reaction to their clearer vision- especially Breanna’s preschooler honesty!
I’m blind as a bat too, had glasses at grade 4 – I’m hoping the girls get their mom’s eyes and don’t need glasses just yet. hmmm better go for an appointment soon.
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They look great! I’m glad Hayley is feeling more positive about getting glasses now.
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Sherry, I love reading this because it gives me a heads up what to expect. Elisabeth is due for her annual eye check up and Owen his first check up. We’ve already been told Elisabeth has eye abnormalities and will eventually need glasses the question is just when. Owen no idea yet but it wouldn’t surprise me with Gareth’s and I’s bad eye sight as well as many eye issue in both families.
They look ADORABLE. Seriously. So. Cute.
If possible, wearing eyeglasses should be the last recoursed. But since an immediate need is the reason for wearing such, you should take precautionary measures not to further the damage. I mean, the grade of the glasses should be checked always. You have cute kids here.
hampers – Well, you know what? I think I’ll take a trained eye doctor’s opinion over a random person on the internet, thanks anyway. When your child suddenly can’t read anymore eyeglasses are not something to avoid. And having gone through TWO eye surgeries with her, I’d much rather have the glasses than any further cutting of eye muscles.