Conversations This Morning

This morning we had to get ready and drive out to our family dentist. It was a big day, because Tess had her first teeth cleaning and check-up. I was tickled, though, by Tess this morning and thought I'd share the scene.

As I was drying off after my shower, Eric came into the bathroom to get something and Tess followed right behind him holding a small book of Sayings and Wit by Mark Twain. (She liked the size, so she's claimed it from our bookshelf.)
"I've packed a bag with snacks, and I got her dressed, so I think we're ready to go," Eric told me.
"Daddy, you have to look at my book," Tess said, holding her book open to a picture of Mark Twain, "it will tell us where to go. We have to go this way, or," she flipped to a new page, "this way Daddy."
Eric didn't really hear her as he was still talking to me about the day, "I packed some books, but she didn't want to bring any toys."
"Oh! Daddy, I showed you the magnets," Tess said.
"You want to bring the magnets?" Eric replied in surprise. "There are too many, Tess. You have to pick just a few special magnets."
Eric was leaving the room now, and Tess followed him out looking intently at her book. In a very matter of fact voice, she told him, "Daddy, it says right here that you have to take a few and a lot. I have to take a lot, Daddy, look at my book!"

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Tess did great at her first cleaning. She's been watching Eric and me get fillings for a long time, and she was thrilled to finally get her turn. She insisted on going first, climbed right into the chair, followed instructions, and was great the whole time.

The hygienist counted her teeth, and she asked her, "Tess, when do you brush your teeth?"
Tess replied, "um, Monday and Friday."

Then she had to choose a flavor for the polish. "Bubble gum, cotton candy, or grape?"
"I want pink," Tess told her.
Then again when it was time for a fluoride treatment, she could have orange or cherry, and she chose pink.

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No cavities this time, though there's a little concern about some developing in the molars. More brushing and more fluoride.