What a strange day. As you can see, Alexandria lost her first tooth yesterday and it was probably the only thing that keep me from knocking one of her teeth out (I exaggerate, please don't call the DHS on me). You see, I left work a little early and went home to mow me lawn. While I was mowing Alex had something happen to her foot. She was crying on the front steps and I told her to go see her Momma who was across the street at the time. I was watching her and she did not stop to look both ways before crossing the street. For a moment I was mildly annoyed. That is until I looked up and saw a truck approaching at which point I began shrieking, yes actually shrieking her name. I had no idea my voice was capable of such pitch or volume. Alexandria did not hear me. My wife, across the street, inside the house, did! Fortunately the driver of the truck saw her. And somehow I did not collapse or have a heart attack.

Let me take a moment to explain something to the drivers on Vincent Lane. Please please please be very careful. There are little kids that play on our street and for that matter every little suburban street in America and they don't pay attention. And that's bad, I know. But the thing is, if the driver of that truck has not been paying attention or had been driving really fast like a lot of people do on that street then something awful could have happened. And if it did, no matter who was at fault I would hunt the driver down and beat him/her into something unrecognizable with a baseball bat. I know, I know that's awful. But it's reality. If you hurt my baby girl you will suffer.... badly. I'm sure many other Dad's out there can sympathize. Anyway, you've been warned.

Now, then back to Alex. As I finished mowing the lawn, I considered the appropriate punishment. Really a good ole fashioned whoopn' was all that came to mind. A good talking to didn't seem that it would convey the gravity of her mistake. It was at this time that her tooth decided to spontaneously loosen in what I'm convinced was some sort of psychic self defense mechanism. It worked. We were all so excited about the silly tooth that she only received a stern talking to after all. Before the night was over, her tooth came out. Of course she wouldn't leave the thing alone, but it seems to me that it always took me longer to yank a loose tooth.

The tooth fairy left her two shiny "gold quarters" according to Alex. She was later informed that the "gold quarters" are in fact worth a dollar. Alex is beaming both from the "gold quarters" and the gap in her teeth. Just don't call her snaggletooth :) OBTW, there are more pics in the gallery