The Gazaleh Gazette

Most of you already know that Mary lost her tooth, but the back-story is Oscar worthy and must be shared.

Mary, in her infinite quest to be on par with her sister has talked about loose teeth for almost three years.  Generally, our response is “Really?  Well I bet it will fall out any day now.”  She would smile and you could just see the hope on her face.  After years of crying wolf, Mary told us she had a loose tooth about a week ago.  My response was the same, but Amy checked and confirmed that it was true.  This time Mary skipped the smile and went straight to grin.  You could see the bubble float over her head.  She was thinking, “I knew if I hoped long enough, it would come true.  Maybe I am a real renaissance princess!” (Details to follow in three weeks)

She was so consumed with the loose tooth that she decided that thumb sucking wasn’t necessary.  She switched to the pointer and rather than suck, she wiggled.  On Saturday evening, just before bed, Mary asked me to pull her tooth out.  I suggested we wait until morning.

She came in our room and woke me at 6 am on Sunday morning to ask if I could do it now.  After examining the tooth, I suggested we wait a little while to reduce the pain and blood.  She was not happy but didn’t get upset either.

She wiggled the rest of the day Sunday.  She wiggled all day Monday and talked to her teacher about it.  She wiggled all day Tuesday and talked to her teacher about it again.  She wiggled most of the day Wednesday and talked to her gymnastics teacher about it.  By this time she had had enough and asked Miss Chyna to pull it out for her.  Out it came.

Not only do they teach our kids how to do a round off onto the springboard, a half-turn onto the vaulting table, one-and-a-half twists and one-and-a-half flips in the layout body position, and stick the landing for a perfect 10, they also do minor dental surgery.  I call that full service.

That night, we celebrated Mary’s lost brethren by having ice cream sundaes.  She went to sleep that night without issue and had the tooth laying on her nightstand.  Fortunately, the tooth fairy remembered to come and left her some money.  Well, Mary had a bad dream that night and came in for some reassurance.  I walked her back, tucked her in, and gave her a kiss.  As I began to stand upright, she noticed the money and got real excited.  She had a smile from ear to ear and started to discuss the thank you note she wanted to send.  I didn’t think she would fall back asleep but thank goodness for small favors.