First Tooth

Yesterday morning Gavin lost his first tooth. It was his right bottom center tooth (does that make any sense?). He was quite excited about his entry into this new stage of life. I was thankful the process was pain free, blood free, and mommy intervention free.

After he lost it he began prepping me on my tooth fairy duties. His older cousin M------ had previously given him the low down on the tooth fairy (aka Mom or Dad - he explained that too) and he wanted to make sure I understood all the finer points of the task.

Jason wanted to be the first tooth fairy. That ended quickly when he tripped on a bin of Legos as he sneaked into the room, causing a huge crash. He will definitely not be the next .007. I took over, effortlessly navigating around a few rogue toys who had managed to stay in the middle of the floor past bedtime. My success was probably due to the fact that I go in every night to take Peyton to the bathroom one more time and to say a final goodnight to my sleeping children. At first I couldn't find the container and I hoped beyond hope it hadn't fallen off his bed to land who knew where. I finally found it, made the exchange, and wished the boys my customary whispered good night.

His prize was a half dollar and a stick of gum. Jason laughed at me for giving him gum, but Gavin was thrilled. That's probably because he's only chewed it once in his entire life. Sometimes it pays off to keep things a privilege. I safely deposited his tooth in my jewelry box. I have a feeling it will be one of those items I cradle in the years to come, wondering what happened to my little boy who is now a man.

He excitedly showed us his treasures in the morning, as if we hadn't seen them before. The tooth fairy proved to be an exhilerating experience for him for two reasons: 1.) He was excited to get money and gum. 2.) He didn't know if the tooth fairy was mom or dad.

If only everything could be that simple, yet extraordinary.