Smarty Dips a Toe Into the Pool of Commerce

We're so proud of Smarty for working hard enough and saving enough money to buy this dang toy. (He already has like 8 shake 'n go cars. Did he really need to get another?) But I just have to smile at how independent he thinks he is.

He earned his money by doing chores, so basically we started paying him to do the things he was supposed to be doing anyway. (i.e. brush teeth, put away toys, ect.) And lets face it, 3 year olds are not known for their ability to stay on task, I'm pretty sure that we earned that money as much as he did. Then at .5 cents per chore we thought it best not to ask him to save all $14 for the above toy. We wanted him to be able to play with it while it was still age appropriate so we only asked him to save $5. Obviously we payed the shipping, we will continue to provide the batteries to run it, and we will help him learn how to take care of it so it will last.

Don't get me wrong, this experiment did just what we hoped it would. Smarty doesn't beg for stuff at the store anymore, he feels empowered and in control of his ability to acquire what he wants, so clearly he has learned something about the 'value of a dollar.' He values his possessions more as well, and I think this toy will be especially treasured because of the sense of accomplishment associated with it.

The thing that surprises me is what this whole thing has meant to me. Smarty really didn't do much to buy the darn thing, but he certainly feels like he did. I've heard our relationship with our Heavenly Father compared to the relationship between a parent and a small child several times before, but this really drove it home for me. We do what is required of us and feel so capable and independent about it all, but really, God has provided everything we have including the opportunity to work so that we feel like we provided it. Plus I think he must chuckle at us playing 'grown-up.'

All right, I'm done waxing philosophical for the night. I just want to share one more thing with anyone that hasn't quit reading by now. All babies make specific sounds to communicate stuff, but my Sweety makes the funniest sound when he's coaxing for attention. He makes this short, sucking sound in the back of his throat over and over. I swear to you he sounds like a little donkey. Sometimes when he thinks his situation is dire and he's coaxing most seriously and urgently, I can't help but laugh, much to his chagrin. He has one solid word at this point, dada, or dat. Yeah, not mama, what the heck, right? Anyway, at the moment he's really into whispering dada. It's so cute and so tiny. I wish you all could hear it.

Right so that was like 4 things, but don't worry I'm done for now. Have a fantastic night/day y'all!