I don't remember when I stopped believing in things. I have memories, nothing very specific, of losing teeth, putting them under my pillow, and waking up with money where the tooth once was. Back when I was losing teeth, I think the going rate was initially a dime, and then a quarter.
That was big money then. I'd be able to walk up to the White Hen Pantry and get a couple of candy bars with that. I'd get a Hershey's Bar, a Chunky bar, a Charleston Chew, or my very favorite, a Marathon Bar. If I was going up to the convenience store, I'd most often have to get either one of my parent's a pack of cigarettes too. That was when a kid could walk up to the counter, present the clerk with a hand written note, and walk out with the requested brand of cigarettes.
If you are 88 years old, and try and buy alcohol in Elk Grove Village today, you have to present the clerk with a photo ID. No exceptions.
Lily has been visited by the Tooth Fairy a couple of times within the last few months. She lost her first front tooth sometime in November, and the second came out yesterday. She's got a big, gaping hole where the teeth once were. These were her third and fourth lost teeth, respectively. Frederic has lost eight.
The current lost tooth offering is $1 per tooth. Meaning, when Fredo lost his first, he got $1. When he lost his second, $2. Lily got $4 in quarters this morning. She was convinced that the Tooth Fairy left her too much, but we counted it out and she conceded.
I think Frederic knows the truth about the legendary figures. He mentioned it to me just before this past Christmas. He said, "I think you and mommy are Santa Claus, but I'm not sure." He didn't go any further, and I didn't either.
I guess it was one of those "perfect opportunities" to unload. It was the moment of truth and I chose to move on to another subject. When Frederic was a baby, Cyndi was really against starting the legendary figures myth. She didn't want to start adding lies in our relationship with our baby. It's hard not to initiate the theory of belief, what with Santa Claus all over the place from Thanksgiving on.
We caved, and I think we are still good parents. I don't think our relationship with the kids will suffer.
I sometimes wish I still believed.
Bravo for you two...I survived the whole Santa thing and I still love Christmas! :) Jake let it go longer...I think he knew KNEW when he was 9, but gave it another year. And then he came to me and explained his hypothesis. This last year he actively participated in making Kenzie's Christmas memorable. He played the elf and stuffed the stockings...and never said a word...He just beamed all Christmas day knowing he had a small part in bringing his little sister joy...even if he acts like he doesn't like her most days! :)
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