The Gum Fairy

Bedtime around here is a time of ritual. Scriptures, prayers, bathroom, brushing teeth and reading in bed. Darrel and I trade off nights wrangling the kids and we always take the opportunity to snuggle by each child in turn to get a little one on one time with them. Each is a unique experience. Justin squirms and talks a lot in an attempt to avoid falling asleep (which he does quickly once he can finally hold still for a few seconds in row). Spencer is often more talkative and forthcoming at the end of the day and sometimes we get a glimpse into our otherwise tight-lipped boy's life this way. Grace insists on lots of conversation and is always hopeful for a story. She especially loves stories about something "real you did when you were little".  

Lots of times I can't think of any new stories to tell her, but one night I came up with a doozy. I told her how I became the Pony Fairy. Hasbro's My Little Pony toys came out for the first time when I was probably 10 or 11. My younger brother and sister loved them, so I would save up the money I earned delivering newspapers and use some of it to buy them new ponies. Every so often on a Friday night, I would be informed by the powers that be that the Pony Fairy would be visiting and Taylor and Liza could expect a new pony under their pillows in the morning. It was great fun for us all.

Several weeks ago, the Gum Fairy started visiting our house. Well, Justin, specifically (Justin loves gum). It took a couple of visits before I realized the origins of the Gum Fairy.  

Our Gum Fairy works something like this: Each Thursday, she chooses a package of gum as her reward for reaching her goal for piano practicing. She always opens hers in the car on the way home from her lesson, takes a piece or two for herself, then runs in the house to hide the rest of the package under Justin's pillow. She'll come out of his room excitedly to find him, "Justin, the Gum Fairy came!". Off he runs with her to his room where, sure enough, the Gum Fairy has left a wonderful surprise.  

Funny that it took me a few weeks to add this all up, but so sweet to see my daughter's generous heart.