The Star Fairy

A while back, we got Noah some glow-in-the-dark stick-on stars for his room.  He enjoyed them for a little while, but the novelty wore off after a while.  Katy, however, was very interested in getting some stars for her room.  I had a few extra stars left over (smaller ones), so I put them up in Katy's room.  She enjoyed that, but really wanted to have planets too, not just the little stars :).

One night I decided to give her a surprise and thought I would spell out her name in little stars on the ceiling.  Well.. it look longer than expected and I had to stop after "k".  That night, however, when we turned out the lights at book time, she was filled with wonder and joy when she saw the "K".   She wondered how it got there, and I half jokingly said that the Star Fairy had brought it.  

The next day, she was quite excited about the Star Fairy and couldn't wait until the evening to see if another letter showed up.  Low and behold, when it was book time, the Star Fairy had left an "A" on the ceiling.  Again, much excitement on Katy's part, followed by a swell of "kid questions" about stars and planets.

So, after seeing how interesting this was to Katy, and Noah was talking about it now, the Star Fairy became a nightly visitor to the kids.  I bought some additional, big, nice glow-in-the-dark planets so that Katy could finally get the planets she desired.  The Star Fairy also began leaving Noah stars in this room.  

It has been a wonderful experience seeing the kids, especially Katy, so excited each night by the star and the Star Fairy coming.  Many cute things were said and endearing moments experienced.  It has become standard routine now to turn off Katy's lights and look at the stars.

Alas, the Star Fairy can't afford an endless supply of stars, so it was decided that the Star Fairy must move on to visit other kids.  The fairy left the following note for the kids

Dear Katy and Noah,

     Hi!  I have enjoyed coming to visit you over the last few weeks.  I hope you have enjoyed the stars I left for you. I hope they will always make you feel safe and happy every night, and remind you that God is watching over you while you sleep.  

     It is time for me to move on to another house and share my extra stars with other kids in the world.  Please take care of yourself, your Mom and Dad, and the stars I left in your care.

Love,

The Star Fairy

Katy said that she was sad the Star Fairy wouldn't be visiting each night and that she wished she/he would come back.  I explained that other kids would enjoy having the stars that the fairy would bring.  She seemed comforted by that.. and I felt good that it provide a safe "disappointing" experience for Katy deal with and manage those emotions.