Lost teeth

Milo has started losing his teeth. Not in a Chuck Norris fight style way or anything, just normal losing of the baby teeth, growing in of the big teeth kind of thing. He announced his first loose tooth last month and I honestly believed it was his imagination because the boy is only 5 years old. Aren't they supposed to start around 6 or 7?

I suppose it makes sense because he got his first tooth very young about 5 months old and within days his 2nd tooth erupted. 2 weeks later in came teeth #3 & #4. He always got them in pairs, so there was a lot of screaming and fussiness but it was short lived until the next "pair" reared their ugly heads.

He lost his first tooth on July 12th, and his new "big tooth" came through a few days later, and the 2nd "big tooth" came in days right behind it. True to his tooth growing pattern.

Milo proudly displays his lost tooth

So we have 2 new teeth and that is fantastic, but the problem was, he still hadn't lost that 2nd baby tooth. The big tooth just grew in right behind the baby tooth, so he had kind of a shark tooth scenario going on for the last few weeks. Do you know about shark teeth? Shark week was just here so I am assuming you know all about it, but in case you are unaware here is a photo illustrating what I am saying....

Shark Teeth grow in layers

Today was the big day, the longed for day, the day that all the tooth wiggling had been for; he lost the second tooth. He lost the first tooth while eating a peach. He was shocked and seemed worried like he had broken something when it happened. Today he was all geared up for it. I sent him to his room after lunch for a rest/quiet period as we like to sometimes call it. He doesn't take "naps" anymore since he is a big kindergartner, but trust me sometimes he still needs a nap. I usually get around that "nap" word by suggesting he take a rest during which he typically does fall asleep. Today not so much because as Mark and I are just sitting down to enjoy our lunch together as adults, without having to referee 2 small boys; out comes Milo cruising down the hallway with the look of joy on his face.

Milo: Look what I have!! (holding out his arm)
Mark: What do you have?
Me: I don't see anything.
Milo: (opening his palm up) right there, look!!!
Mark: a tooth!!
Me: You lost your tooth??!!! This is great news.
Mark: Does it hurt? (such concern for his son)
Me: Let me see your mouth. (just want to verify the facts)
Mark: Is there blood? (ever so practical)
Milo: It doesn't hurt for reals Dad! Now the tooth fairy will come! And I get my Star Wars guys!

He must have known that it was close to falling out because earlier in the morning he had asked Mark to help him count his piggy bank. The toy he wants is $100 dollars, and he has diligently saved up nearly $45 dollars from doing extra chores, money received as presents here and there and coins he has collected from the bottom of my purse. It has taken him only 5 years to amass that amount, but I think he is hoping to hit payload with this loose tooth thing. I mean he doesn't really have "to do" anything and some fairy drops off some cash for him. What a nice way to make some money.

The tooth fairy bit is something I have been looking forward to doing for quite some time. I envisioned doing all kinds of grand things, but in the end I have decided to keep it fairly simple. We put a small box under his pillow for his tooth to go into. I replace the tooth with a rolled up dollar bill and I sprinkle some blue fairy dust a.k.a blue glitter around the box and on his pillow. He is an avid reader of Peter Pan so he knows that fairies leave pixie dust about wherever they go. He bought it hook, line and sinker.

Me: Okay Milo we better get you into bed
Milo: I want to sleep in your bed tonight Mom (long story we had a fight, some drama and tears in which I was accused of "always NEVER wanting him to be happy." We made up, but usually afterward he wants to snuggle me forever till we are "all better together" as he says)
Me: Well the tooth fairy is coming tonight, isn't she? I don't know if she will come if you aren't in your bed.
Milo: Well she knows my tooth is there Mom. She can smell teeth you know.
Me: Well but how will she know it is YOUR tooth and not someone else's tooth?
Milo: Because it is in MY room Mom. (giving me that 'duh Mom' look with an eye roll)
Me: But Finn is in your room too. What if she thinks it is Finn's tooth and leaves the money under his pillow?
Milo: (eyes wide as he digests this possibility) Yeah Mom, she might think so, I need to get to bed right now. She always comes at midnight! Do I have time to get to bed?
Me: (it was only 8:27pm so yeah he has plenty of time to walk the 20 feet to his bedroom in the next 3 1/2 hours) I don't know, you better hurry you don't want to miss her, because she won't be here till you are asleep.
Milo: Come on Mom lets go!! (And he runs and leaps into bed and is under those covers faster than you can blink.
Me: Okay lovebug goodnight, I love you so much and I will see you in the morning when you are another day older.
Milo: Uh Mom. Ask Dad to bring me some water and a kiss.
Me: You got it. Good night.
Milo: Actually Mom can you ask Dad to bring me 2 waters in case the tooth fairy comes and is thirsty, then she will have her own water to drink. Sometimes fairies get really thirsty when they fly especially the tooth fairy because she has to carry around ALL that money. (Milo is not adverse to a little bit of sucking up if it helps to further his cause)

He fell asleep in approximately 10 minutes and about 15 minutes after that I slipped in through the door and played the part of the tooth fairy with such style, grace and verve that it could be award winning if they gave out awards for that type of thing. And tomorrow he will be $1 dollar closer to that super expensive star wars toy he is saving up for.

2 teeth gone and so happy about it.
OR
One dollar closer with his great big money making scheme