A Visit from the Soother Fairy

I'm rather embarrassed to say that, yes, until this week we still had soothers in our house.  This is with a four year birthday approaching rapidly.  I'd been waiting till I was physically not so tired and life was rather calm to help me cope with what I thought would be a traumatic time for two kids who LOVE their soothers for sleeping.  Part of my hesitancy to end their love affair stems from my experience of A and her soother.  Since the style she preferred was discontinued at 2 1/2 and no substitute would do, I had to get rid of it cold-turkey when her last one got a hole in it.  Pregnant and very fatigued at the time, I was horrified that out went nap-times with the soother.  I think I'm not exaggerating to say that A has had about as many naps (under extreme circumstances) as the fingers I have on my hands since.  It's a history I haven't wanted to repeat these past months when I've really needed Ai and Iz to have naps!

However, with dental appointments for both of them on Wednesday, I couldn't bear the thought of having to answer "Does you child have a soother?" with a "yes."  I knew lectures would be in store for me (yes, I am at times motivated by fear and disapproval).  :)  So Tuesday was the day I woke up and decided I'll never be 'not tired', so I might as well face the turmoil!  And turmoil, there hasn't been.  Long naps there haven't been, either, but no tears.  Iz drew a picture for the "Soo-doo Fair-wee" and we wrote a letter together:  "Dear Soother Fairy, I am 3 and too big for a soother.  Please give my soothers and my brother's to a baby who needs them.  We won't cry for our soothers so you can put a treat for us in the mailbox."

Putting their letter into the mailbox that is right below the dentist's office.  Cutting it close!

We happened to be in a thrift store that afternoon where they each discovered a $1.99 toy they loved - my gift to them for parting with their loved object.  And perhaps if they sleep well tonight, with no tears, the Soother Fairy may have gotten their letter and put a little toy in the mailbox for them by morning.   Phew.  One milestone FINALLY passed!  Now I just have to figure out who the Poop Fairy is - the one who helps children enjoy putting poop in the right place as I'm rather tired of washing out smudgy underwear . . . 

ps:  No cavities!  Hooray! And no soother lecture, either!  :)