Julia's Very First Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Before:

After: 

Notice anything different? Anything missing?

That's right! Julia, you lost your very first teeth. After years of pining after when you would lose your teeth, and even trying to trick the tooth fairy when Aidan lost his first teeth years ago, your day has finally arrived.  

You've been growing a double row of 'shark teeth' on the bottom for quite some time now, but your baby teeth weren't budging there!

And then your top front two teeth started to get loose! They were hanging on by a thread, but despite constant wiggling and two failed attempts by Mommy and me to gently help you remedy the situation the 'old fashioned' way, we went to the dentist.

Now, theoretically, we were going to have her look at pulling 2 of the 4 shark teeth on the bottom, but they said those weren't ready. 

But...the loose ones on top. THOSE had been bothering your for weeks, and they wouldn't budge... so those WERE candidates for the pulling.

I was a little concerned because your ballet recital was the next day. But you told me "Dad, we're NOT SINGING! No one will see my teeth!" So you were okay with the teeth coming out.

So you sat in the dentist chair and after a little trepidation and a little gas you were surprised to discover that you were now toothless!

And you take it all in stride- plus it's a great look on you!

And so...you finally got to prepare for the Tooth Fairy, and you did it in the most "Julia" way possible. You didn't just write a note and leave it under the pillow. You prepared multiple notes and props and explanations and visual aids, just in case she didn't quite get the big news:

And guess what?

She got the message!

You had your very first visit from the Tooth Fairy! She left you 2 shiny gold coins, and a tiny little note scribbled on the back of your canvas in what must be pixie dust. 

How cool is that?

We told you your first tooth gap would be worth the gap in time!

Something Exciting Happened

Aidan,

For the past several weeks you've been working on a very wobbly tooth.

And finally, while we were out at Monster Yogurt with the Long sisters, you emerged from the play area with a bit of blood on your mouth and said "Something Exciting Happened!"

You opened a tightly closed fist and revealed... a tooth!

Your friends looked on with excitement; a bit of jealousy from Julia.

But, overall, everyone was super psyched for you! 

You asked us to hold your tooth, and went back to playing. (On a side note: Kate almost lost her tooth too- it was very wobbly and began to bleed; but at the end of the day, only one tooth was lost that evening in Monster Yogurt).

We got home, and Mommy went to get gas. 

You started to get ready for bed and remembered your tooth. You almost ran out the front door naked looking for Mommy, the holder of your tooth!

When she returned the two of you placed it carefully in the tooth pillow under your pillow.

Julia returned from the office with a piece of paper she sneakily stuck under her pillow, and asked us not to look at it. 

This morning, Aidan, you awoke and- much to your surprise- you found that you had received a NOTE from the Tooth Fairy AND a dollar bill!

The note said: 

The Tooth Fairy had also visited us, and shared Julia's note with us. 

She then also visited Julia:

How sweet! Your day will come, Julia. 

The Tooth Fairy really hit the nail on the head about you, Aidan.

You ARE a sweet boy, and a good boy. 

Your Mommy and I awoke to the sounds of you two excitedly talking about your notes. And to the amazing sound of you willingly, generously, calmly, and lovingly just offering your dollar to your sister. Without prompting, Aidan, you told your beloved Julia that she could have the dollar, since she was saving up for something. 

The smile on her face at the sweetness of her big brother was only matched by the warmth in Mommy's and my hearts, Aidan. You are so sweet, and so kind, and such a good boy and big brother.

The smile on YOUR face, with a mish-mash of missing teeth, baby teeth, and still-growing grown-up teeth really says it all. You were so pleased with your note from the fairy, and the satisfaction of another tooth lost...and I think you were happy that you shared your bounty. Nothing is sweeter than that.

The Tooth Fairy may have visited us in the night, but I think it's you, Aidan, who have given us the most magical feelings of all. 

Passover 2018

Every year- or most years- all of us - or at least some of us- gather in Dallas to celebrate Passover. We have a Seder, we tell the story of Exodus, we maintain traditions that have been performed in our family for a long, long time (since well before Mimi was a little girl), we sing songs, eat yummy food, get together, and forge stronger bonds and make new memories together.

This year was exceptional. I don't know if was that you two are now old enough to really 'get' what it's all about, or maybe that I'm now old enough to let the little stuff slip away and hold on to what really matters, or maybe the wine was just really good!

But Passover 2018 was a phenomenal time with our family! And so many people were able to come! All Weinsteins except Griffin were able to come, and our London family was deeply missed, but we had the bestest time with our family. And, parsely, matza balls, matza pizza, chocolate matza, and more just flew by...and the day dedicated purely to hanging out that followed was almost even better!

Seder day began with reconnecting and playing at Mimi and Pops' house!

Then our Seder began, and was complete with group singing, great leading by Rebekka and Pops, delicious food and tasty stories by Mimi, and some amazing Exodus reading by all the kids, including- for the first time ever- Julia AND Aidan!

Big brothers are always there to shorten your other brother's guitar strap.

Tried salt water parsley....yuck...

The Afikomen was found!

Post-seder Hang-out day featured wonderful spring time weather, and a lot of fun hanging out at our house!

And, Aidan, you lost ANOTHER tooth while eating a snack playing Guess Who with your cousins!

The games and fun continued!

Haley did a LOT of facepainting!

 BEADING!

And general fun-times were had by all!

Kids' Table :)