Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Anna noticed she had a loose tooth about a week before we went to Florida.  As the first loose tooth in our house, it elicited a lot of attention from her siblings and us.  We all took turns wiggling it and watching the progression from slightly loose to barely hanging on.  It was hardly moving when we left for Florida.  Anna was afraid that it would fall out while we were on our trip and that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't be able to find her.  We assured Anna that it would be a while before her tooth fell out.  "It's just barely loose" we told her.  "It will be many weeks before it falls out."  Well, lo and behold, a few days into our trip it was all but ready to come out.  Fortunately, we made it through the trip and it ended up coming out our second day back home.

We took Anna to the library and read some fun books starring the Tooth Fairy.  It was like Christmas Eve in our house (at least for Anna).  She was so excited! About an hour after the kids went to bed, we noticed that Anna was still awake.  She told us that she was going to lay awake all night so that she could see the Tooth Fairy.  Thomas reminded her that, just like Santa, the Tooth Fairy won't visit children unless they are asleep.  Anna countered that she was going to pretend to be asleep and then pop up when the Tooth Fairy appears.  We kissed her goodnight and wished her luck staying awake while laying in her bed all night with her eyes closed (spoiler alert--she feel asleep within 5 minutes.)  Anna had it in her head that she would be left 3 coins.  Since she doesn't understand the concept of money, I was sure the Tooth Fairy was going to leave her 3 pennies, but she ended up with one gold coin (a Sacagawea dollar) and two silver coins (national park quarters).  Anna was thrilled.  It was like Christmas morning.  All the kids were up super early to see what the tooth fairy left her.  And of course, they all came running into our room to show Thomas and me.  It was so fun to experience their youthful excitement over this event.  Anna has another loose tooth, so we will be getting our second Tooth Fairy visit in the coming weeks.  Unfortunately, there isn't nearly the excitement about this tooth as there was for the first.  I imagine it will get better when Jack and Kara get their first visits.

I think I have already written this somewhere, but I was always frightened of the Tooth Fairy.  What could a grown woman possibly want with my baby teeth?  I pictured her adult size, not like a tiny fairy and she just made no sense to me.  So, I was glad that Anna thought of her as Tinker Bell sized.

Our little babies are growing up!

Anna showing off her new smile while Kara runs behind her and Jack (not pictured) makes silly faces.