We had a very successful trip to the dentist this week. First, I made the appointment for the morning during school hours. After our eye doctor appointment, where we had to hustle Rose there after school and then she didn’t get home until 5:15, I’m making all appointments in the morning.

Second, Rose loves the dentist. I don’t. Most people don’t—maybe it’s something about the pain, bad news, humiliation, and constant lectures. Rose seems to have been spared all that. It’s just bubblegum flavored gloves, rainbow sunglasses, stickers, and the excitement of getting her teeth counted. I think it makes a real difference to go a place that specializes in kids.

Third, no bad news.

Fourth, really really exciting good news. She got her first set of x-rays, and you can actually see the grown-up teeth underneath the baby teeth. The dentist says she will lose a tooth in the next 6 months. Yippee! Rose has been wanting to lose a tooth for forever. I think she was three or four when we read “One Morning in Maine” nearly every night. By page three, Sal’s got a loose tooth. I thought Rose would have to wait until seven, a lifetime. Since she’s the youngest child in her class, everyone would have made it through that rite of passage before her. But now, but now, she’s already trying to wiggle it free.