That'th Five

It is a moment all parents look forward to. Baths were taken, teeth were brushed, waxy little ears were fresh and clean. We sat back to catch our collective breath and quietly watch the USA take the gold and silver in the Olympic Half-pipe in Torino, Italy. All was still, the house was warm, and the atmosphere ripe with impending slumber for all.

Then came a faint thud on the ceiling. It was the unmistakeable sound of small feet hitting carpet. Within seconds Olivia came running down the stairs with more than a hint of excitement in her voice. She knew she was not to be out of bed but this was too important and exciting not to be a valid excuse for breaking bedtime protocol. With what sounded like a laugh covered sentence or a phrase covered giggle she said, "Dad, it'th hanging by jutht one thread." When she hit the bottom of the stairs she took a step or two, planted her feet as if preparing for a titanic struggle, and reached for her mouth. There was no turning back. She stood there for just a few seconds with a look of concentration and joy plastered across her face and then exclaimed with the joy of a child on Christmas Morning, "I got it! That makth five!"

She laughed and danced and yammered on as only Olivia can before heading back up stairs to prepare for the inevitable arrival of the Tooth Fairy. Moments later, she was asleep and the house was again quiet...for a while!