According to EJ

When faced with a little boy who has decided that "big boys" don't brush their teeth, I knew I needed to give a lovely lesson on teeth.

I told him that big boys DO brush their teeth, and big GIRLS do as well. I went on to tell him that if he DIDN'T brush his teeth all his teeth would fall out. He then couldn't eat chips, or mac and cheese. No more bananas, and not even JUICE!

This intrigued him. A little shock, a little curiosity.

Miss T added (LOUDLY) from the bathroom that he WOULD be able to drink juice even without teeth. Seeing how she was working on foiling my plan, I quickly shushed her.

He stood there with his best EJ "hmmmm" face, glancing between the bathroom with his sister whom he admires, and back at mom who is generally on point. The wheels were turning. He stayed in thought for long enough I'd actually started forgetting we were HAVING a conversation, and thought maybe I'd just been staring at him awkwardly awaiting something.

Out of nowhere he proclaimed, "I'm gonna brush my teeth"

I asked him, "so you WANT to brush your teeth?"

He replied, "yes"

According to EJ this is why,

(in his most adorable sometimes inaudible 3 year old voice)

"because the cars drive fast, but not when the sun is not up, when the sun is up, way up, the cars drive fast.. [small sigh] .. they just.. [slight shrug] .. drive fast."

me : "so THAT'S why you have to brush your teeth? Because the cars drive fast?"

EJ : "umm... yes."

I was worried this little lesson hadn't hit home, but at the time same time the boy can brings cars into ANYTHING we talk about. So maybe just maybe he'd understood, and cars just really made for a fun story.

He hurried into the bathroom where Miss T was already brushing, and stood back patiently waiting. His patience quickly faded, and he blurted out,

"HURRY UP SISSY! My teeth are gonna fall out!"

Ahh the message hit home, awesome mommy moment today?

Complete.

Whether or not the cars drive fast when the sun is up, he is now fully aware that his teeth will fall out if he does't brush.

Life is good.