Friday, October 3, 2008

A Letter from "TF"

Madison lost her first tooth in kindergarten. She was so excited! Until she put her tooth under her pillow and discovered the next morning that this thing called a Tooth Fairy - a total stranger - had actually come into her room in the middle of the night...when she was all alone, violated her personal space and then took her tooth. This near brush with death was hardly worth the money left behind by this thing called a Tooth Fairy.

And, I have to admit, if you look at it from her from her point of view, it is kinda creepy.

So, soon thereafter when she lost her second tooth...she did not even tell Joe or I. She had been hopeful if she kept it to herself, that crazy fairy would not come. Of course, if your daughter is missing her front teeth, it is next to impossible not to notice! To appease her fear, we convinced Madison that Tooth Fairy's do not just visit at night, they will come anytime of day. So that afternoon, we put her tooth under her pillow and then went out to play. When we checked back a few hours later, low and behold her tooth was gone and in it's place was money.

She was finally able to relax about the whole Tooth Fairy situation and enjoy loosing her teeth. And boy did she loose some teeth! During kindergarten, Madison lost EIGHT teeth. Most of that year, she looked like a Jack-O-Lantern with the odd tooth here or there.


Seeing as how she was loosing teeth left and right in kindergarten, Madison went almost three years without loosing another tooth. She has matured a lot in that time.


While now she is still not quite comfortable with the Tooth Fairy visiting her room at night...She did set up a bed with her American Girl doll outside her bedroom door. And she put her tooth, along with the following note, under her dolls' pillow:



She is obviously feeling more comfortable in her relationship with the Tooth Fairy - she even had the nerve to ask for more money! By the way, I felt the Tooth Fairy was being more than generous in leaving $10.00 in the past. But, being the astute business person that she is, Madison requested more.

To which the Tooth Fairy replied:

Dear Madison,

Thank you for your note. My name is “The Tooth Fairy” but my friends call me “TF” for short. Over the years children have given me other names such as Flossy, Winkle, Sparkles and so many more. I don’t mind at all if you want to give me a special name. But I’ll always be the Tooth Fairy. If you want you can just call me TF. If you have a special name for me, please leave me another note to let me know.

I do not have a picture with me, but, what do I look like? I am not tall and I am not short. I have nice skin and nice hair. My eyes are very pretty and I have an enchanting smile. Sometimes I wear my wings, and sometimes I do not. If you close your eyes and imagine what I look like, you just may be able to see me looking back at you. When I was just the youngest fairy, I learned that children’s laughter made my wings move faster.

I will leave you $15 this time. But please keep in mind the amount of money I have to give for teeth changes all the time. I can sometimes leave more money, other times I have to leave less. There are several secret and loving adults that have a lot of money. They give money to me so I can trade it for your lost teeth. One time I had such a generous donation to Tooth Fairy Land that I was able to give out $100 for a very special clean and white sparkling tooth, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do that again. Please remember that loosing a baby tooth really isn’t just about getting money. It is about the magic you share with your friends and family. It is about the magic moment you realize you are getting just a little bit older. Be sure to always remember this time and to cherish the people you love and that love you the most.

Love Always,
TF

Madison immediately noticed that TF's handwriting looked very similar to Mom's. I quickly pointed out the the Tooth Fairy writes in all capital letters, something I never do. Luckily, that explanation appeased her.

I'm amazed at the wonder, joy and unconditional belief that a tooth fairy actually exists. But I'm sad to realize that this utter innocence will not last much longer.

Isn’t there some way that we can slow down this growing up business?

31 comments:

Stephanie said...

If you find a way to slow them down, PLEASE share!
THat has got to be the cutest letter EVER! I think that TF wrote a nice letter back too ;)
My baby is in kindergarten now, so I know this is coming soon!

Tiffany said...

Aww that was so sweet. My son should start losing his teeth soon. Knowing him, he'll try to secretly spy on TF. LOL

Susan said...

That is adorable!!! She is an excellent writer!! (I should know, I taught for 8 years)

Matt Pfingsten said...

I have a lot to say on this one. First off, 15.00? MAN I am old. I mean, I think I got a QUARTER for every tooth. I guess TF must have been feeling bullish regarding the bailout being approved...its already working.

Second, the note is awesome. The whole story would have really taken an interesting twist if TF had answered that she was a boy (think about it).

Third, if you get into a serious bind, I'm pretty good in Photoshop. I can whip you up a tooth fairy image for about $30.00, or about two teeth. Lemmie know.

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said...

so cute...i love the notes! both of them. good job mommy! i just hope my kids don't find out they tooth fairy is handing out $10 bills...they'd feel pretty slighted with the measly $2 they get. ;0) Our tooth fairy can be pretty forgetful, it seems she is on vacation a lot or that there are an abundance of children loosing their teeth the exact time our children loose their's. :0) my oldest told me that one time she saw the tooth fairy and that she was the mooooost beeeeautiful thing she had ever seen. That was awful nice for the tooth fairy to hear! thanks for sharing your story it made me reimense.

OHmommy said...

You are so stinking cute. I love the letter and hers too.

I can't wait for moments like this w/ my kids. You did a great job! And what a smart girl... it is freaky realizing that someone comes into your room at night.

Anonymous said...

I love both the letters! I love how she asked for more money- smart little business woman already!!! It would be nice to slow the growing up down I'm sure but Madison is sure to grow up to be a lovely & wonderful young lady. Have an excellent weekend!!

Fire Hunt said...

both the letters are so cute, You did a good job.

Rick said...

Very enjoyable post - even for an old Harley rider like me. Madison must be precious. I love the way she hit the fairy up for a little extra cash and then reminded her that she was a regular teeth brusher - trying to sway the fair's generousity a bit. AND apparently it worked.

Now, about the slowing them growing up thing... I have three beautiful daughters. The oldest is getting married in one week. Yesterday she was putting her tooth under her pillow. Not that I mind her getting married, but if there was a way to slow the process, I wish someone had told me long ago.

I think though, you're out of luck too. Love that child and give her $20 next time.

(If I have time I'll draw a doodle of TF for her, but the fairy in my mind is nothing like the one you described.)

Laural Out Loud said...

More than $10 per tooth? For ALL the teeth lost? My goodness, lol. I think maybe we'll pass up the whole toothfairy thing (we don't do santa clause or the eater bunny, either) and some some moolah.

Miss Lisa said...

My kids are getting ripped off--they get like a $1 a tooth. I'll keep this post from their little eyes :)

What a cute note!

Sue Wilkey said...

OMG that is ADORABLE. I love how she hit the TF up for more cash.

I made the mistake of printing out a note on pink scroll-y paper from the computer once. Of course, now it's expected every time.

careysue said...

That was so darn cute! You're such a great mom.

If I get in a bind can you send your tooth fairy over to my house?!!

Rick said...

I, ummm, created a little illustration as a tribute to your daughter's search for complete understanding of who the Tooth Fairy is. I hope you'll check it out.

Elise said...

Hi Jennifer

Good on Madison for being brave enough to request a little extra money for her tooth. It was well worth it.

Beautiful letters. Your toothfairy is so kind to answer all of Madison's questions and leave such a detailed and informative letter. Way to go toothfairy.

What a thrill and magical moment to see Kyle working. Wow, he can move, he was so quick getting up those stairs and he is so very clever mastering walking. It was wonderful to hear all of you on the clip, so special.

Lots of love
Elise

Stephanie said...

Madison is a pretty bright kid! I don't think I ever thought twice about the tooth fairy. But I see her points. I'm laughing at her request for more money! Haha! I think I got $5 for a tooth when I was little. Too funny!

Liza said...

My daughter is exactly the same way your was. Totally freaked out by the thought of a fairy coming in her room at night! We compromised and put the tooth and her note to the TF on the coffee table in the living room. Not a bad deal, makes like much easier for the "Tooth Fairy" to do her thing without waking a sleeping kid :)

Anonymous said...

eventually, after she finds out there is no "TF" she will start believing that there is no God...and that He was probably just some made up character like the "TF"

Rick said...

To "Anonymous": Bull!! We played the Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, and Easter Bunny game when our daughters were young. All three of them figured out that they were fictional, but all three are wonderful young Christian ladies today. They understood that WE, their parents, believed and we've had a number of conversations regarding our faith over the years.

Go ahead Jennifer. Let Madison enjoy this "magical" time in her life. She will have many cherished memories, and so will you.

(Apologies Jennifer - I had to jump in there and say something.)

Anonymous said...

As far as "Santa" and the "Easter Bunny" goes...that in itself is "bull" because it takes away from the whole POINT of Christmas/Easter...They will expect gifts from Santa...instead of praising God for the gift of Jesus Christ...and Easter has NOTHING to do with a bunny...it's about Christ's death/burial/resurrection...Not a random bunny who hops around and gives children candy in a basket...or hides eggs...Easter and Christmas deserve a LOT better credit than that

krissy said...

Oh boy. She has the potential of becoming a very good business woman.

My daughter freaked about Santa once. We were putting on a new roof and she was sleeping when the men came to work on it. She woke up screaming that Santa was on the roof watching her. She was not happy because she had not been so nice recently. She realized it was not Santa and was a family friend and her two year old butt scolded him for scaring her. It was hilarious.

If you find that magic potion to stop these kids from growing up too fast, do share. My one and only is showing signs of puberty and I don't like it one single bit.

Linda S said...

This is adorable! I'll never forget the couple of nights we would forget or think the other one was taking care of it..that was some fancy dancing!
Found you on Tena's blog!

Momo Fali said...

Fifteen dollars!! My daughter wants you to adopt her.

Speaking of my daughter...she will be 10 in December and just yesterday we told her that Santa isn't real. It sucked. I hate that it's over for her. She, however, took it like a champ and can't wait to sneak around being an elf for her little brother.

Kendra said...

How sweet is that?! I couldn't wait for my oldest to lose his 1st tooth, but when it happened I was so sad! They grow up way too fast. Cute letters. Just loved it! :)

Jackie said...

Whoa, is $10 the going rate now? I need to brush up on this stuff over the next couple of years. :) That letter was awesome...nice job!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

That is absolutely adorable!

Note to self: write up any TF letters on the 'puter and print them out

GoteeMan said...

aw....
$15? wow... Beverly Hills tooth fairy, hunh? ours gives $5, and thought that was alot...
just don't tell my kids...

J/ (goteeman.blogspot.com)

Melissa Dovel said...

Delurking, hope you dont mind! I have a Maddy who sounds your daughters twin (too smart for there own good). Mine is in Kg. now and shes throwing out a lot of questions on how Santa could possibly visit everyones house! She claims hes going to have to spend several hours here just unloading all the things she wants;) Enjoy every moment I have a teenager as well and it sure does go by quickly!

Blessings
Melissa Dovel
Texas

Ryann said...

Oh, this is very magical. I do not look forward to this time in Addy's life... I guess it's inevitable.

Unknown said...

This was so adorable I can not stand it : ). LOVELY to the max! Thank you for praying for Quince and his family. It means SO much to me! And even more to them of course! God bless!