As we go about our holiday business -- decorating, making lists, baking cookies and doing our very best to be merry -- there's always a slight air of anxiety as we consider the BIG question of the season: Does Rose Still Believe In Santa?
Evan, of course, is sooooo over it, but he was quite the hold-out himself, never exactly sure what the gift consequences of non-belief might be, so continued "believing" until the 3rd grade when someone convinced him that he should just risk all and come clean to his parents. Since then, he's been a fairly good conspirator, even going so far as to sit on Santa's lap this year for a photo with Rose. When he does lapse and begin down a rabbit-hole of Santa's world and abilities, Rose sharply reprimands him and tells him resoundingly that Santa is "always listening" and that Evan will surely "be in lots of trouble if he doesn't stop." Indeed.
All of this talk and the fact that she's now a Very Serious Six-Year-Old means that Rose has begun to contemplate the whole "magical creature" thing more deeply. Something else from the weekend added complexity to the whole mix: she lost her first tooth.
If, like me, you had been lulled into believing that Rose might softening slightly on a few things, the 36-hour period from when she realized the tooth was slightly loose to when she yanked it from her own mouth should tell you that she's more determined than ever. The pain, blood and ceaseless wiggling added to the drama and intrigue, and provided those scintillating details that make the whole thing delicious to re-tell over and over.
The lost tooth also meant that the Tooth Fairy made a visit. So, back to the "magical creatures" meditations. Here's how yesterday's discussion in the car played out:
Rose: "Mom, I hate the Tooth Fairy."
Me: "Why?"
Rose: "Because she steals your teeth. She should just leave money AND let you keep your teeth!"
Me: "Mmmmm." (not sure how to respond to this whole train of thought)
A few minutes later . . .
Rose: "I know who Santa's daughter is."
Me: "Really. I didn't know he had one. Who is she?"
Rose: "The Tooth Fairy."
Me: "Wow! How do you know that?"
Rose: "Because Mom (insert fatigued, slightly condescending tone), ALL magical creatures are related to Santa. The elves, reindeer and the Tooth Fairy."
Me: "I see. What about the Easter Bunny? Where does he fit into all this?"
Pause . . . .
Rose: "He has rainbow fur."
Me: "And how does this relate to Santa and the magical creatures?"
Rose: "Because only magical creatures have rainbow skin. So, he's definitely connected to Santa."
Ah, the logic of a true believer.
Magical.
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