Teeth

Now Eva's big transformation began last May 10, 2008 when she lost one of her teeth. It was the typical long approach to the big day. She claimed her tooth was loose the previous November. The final stages of the tooth took weeks. It would twist, turn, bleed but those roots of hers were tough and not willing give this little tooth away without a fight. When she went to school on a Friday, we knew it would not be long. Only one other first year classmate lost a tooth at this point, Cyrus lost one the day before turning 5. The second years were loosing theirs on a daily basis, looking more like a boxing club than a kindergarten.

Art picked up Eli at the pink curtains a.k.a. nursery first and then walked up the hill to the grade school campus. When her got there, a crowd was gathered around a single child - it was Eva, the mood was full of excitement and joy. He arrived seconds after her first tooth lost the battle and came out. When he got close enough to see there was a proud little girl with a big bloody smile.

Our friends Helen, Joel, Isa and Felix came for dinner that night there was so much excitement over the tooth. I suggested several time placing it in a safe place. This would last a few minutes and then the tooth would be scooped up and admired by the children all over. Eventually it got lost. Eva was barely upset. She takes things in stride. With the help of Isa who can write, all the children made notes for the tooth fairy explaining what happened to the evidence of the tooth.

I made a little pink bag in my sewing class a few weeks before and gave it to Eva to put her tooth in. We decided she'd get a shiny quarter and a tooth I'd needle felt out of wool. It was exciting to go in to her room and place the little tooth and quarter in the bag. I took all the notes but accidentally left one behind much to the childrens' chagrin. Eva loved her prize. I wish I'd thought it out better because you never know when a child will loose a tooth and some nights she'd loose one just before bedtime as Art and I were heading out for the night. I've been up making wool teeth until midnight! Maybe we'll switch to a dollar soon and no Tooth!

Two days later, Eva lost the pink bag walking home from Gialina Pizza, somewhere on Chenery Street. Art drove back looking for it, to no avail. Once again Eva takes it all in stride. She's so great.

It's taken me a while to get used to her big teeth. She talks differently, she looks different and it has ushered in a big girl.