Nightmares, Teeth and Santa Claus

I am sure I am not alone in wanting to continuously hug my baby these days.  In fact, on Friday, it was the hardest thing in the world to wait for Aidan to arrive at his after school care so I could see him on the camera.  If I could have reached through the computer screen. . .

Tragedies are all bad but senseless tragedies are the worst.  How do you talk to your child about it?  My response was to not have the TV on all weekend and we haven't watched the news at all while he has been up.  I wanted to shelter Aidan from the knowledge that someone could really do this horrible thing. 

On Monday morning, during breakfast, I quietly told Aidan that he might hear about some scary things that happened far away but that he is safe.  I then told him to ask us any questions he has when he got home that evening.

I didn't want to say anything at all to Aidan.  I knew I'd get choked up, which I did while saying the little bit that I said.  But, I knew there is always that one child who seems to know all the details of bad things and feels the need to share it.  So, I had to say something.  Amazingly, there has been no mention of it from him at all.  Thanks be to God.

If he thinks I've been over huggy and kissy, he hasn't seemed to mind it.  So, I'll just keep it up. 

Just to turn away from that nightmare for a bit:

Aidan has been complaining about his back teeth hurting for a couple of weeks.  First one side, which then subsided and now the other side.  Yesterday, he was really complaining so I felt around back there and felt some bumpy areas.  I was clueless.  Thinking I'd have to schedule a dentist appointment, I decided to google six year old teeth.  And guess what???  Children get another set of molars sometime between the ages of 5 and 7!!!  Really!!!  I had no idea. . .AND, when this happens, their front teeth begin to fall out. 

SO!  With that knowledge, I felt around in Aidan's mouth again last night and guess what???  There is a tooth coming through on one side!  At first Aidan didn't like the idea of getting MORE teeth, especially since he hasn't lost any yet!  But, when I explained that this likely means his front teeth will now start falling out, he was super excited!!! 

Goofy Mama!!  I just don't remember my teeth at six. . .

And finally, our visit to Santa Claus last week was really fun and delightful.  Aidan found out he is on the nice list and also that Pat and I are too!  : )  He had a great conversation with Santa and then took an awesome picture.  Have a great rest of the week!