Our Shira just turned 7 on Sunday and lost her first tooth on Monday. We have a family tradition (based on an "n" of 1 up to that point) that the first lost tooth merits a real silver dollar (i.e., actually made out of silver) from the tooth fairy. Unfortunately, we are currently out of town visiting our old stomping grounds in Oregon, so we are temporarily removed from my modest supply of real silver dollars. Also unfortunately, the tooth came out just before dinner time at which point any and all coin stores are closed.

On the ride home (we're house-sitting for my cousins) from a potluck cookout with some friends, our oldest (9, the one for whom we started the tradition) started leading the hew (sp?) and cry for a real genuine silver dollar from the tooth fairy THAT NIGHT. His mom and I tried subtly to redirect him from his mission but it was to no avail. Asher has a very strong sense of justice and he knew very well that his little sister was entitled to a silver dollar and that she was entitled to it that very night!

In the driveway, I finally yelled at him that he needed to stay back in the (rental) car while his sister and brother went inside with their mother so we could have a talk.

The talk went something like this:

Me: Asher, is the tooth fairy real?
Asher: No. (as in "duh!")
Me: Then who will be providing your sister with the silver dollar?
Asher: You will.
Me: And where do you think I am going to come up with a silver dollar at 9:00 in the evening?
Asher: Oh!!!

After that he went inside and explained to his sister what we had tried to explain in the car: namely that because we are away from home, and because of the difference in time zones, the tooth fairy was going to need an additional day in order to fit her into her very busy schedule.

After that everything was fine. Because we lived here for ten years I knew exactly where the coin store was that I needed to visit. I was not sure what to expect with regard to prices and was initially shocked to see several in the display case in the $150-$250 range. As it turns out, I needn't have worried -- those were the rare ones. I was able to obtain for only $17 (and no sales tax in Oregon) a very nice 1921 Morgan dollar in "very fine" condition.

Shira was thrilled!