Excuse me while I share a proud mom moment.  The boys have been begging me to take them to the Dollar store to spend tooth fairy and allowance money that’s been burning a hole in their wallets.  So today we ventured out to the Dollar Tree.  On the drive we discussed (again) the value of dollar store toys.  “Do dollar store toys last very long?” “No!” they answered.  “What are you going to do if your toy breaks before you even get it in the house?” (something that has happened to us before) “Not cry!” they chimed together.  We keep talking about the better toys they can get if they save their money and occasionally they listen.  We’re hoping they learn the “you get what you pay for” lesson now on cheap toys rather than later  when they are teens and adults.  But arrive we did and they marched their happy little selves into their version of heaven on earth (Toys R Us they can afford)
As they wandered the store perusing the aisles of cheap, brightly colored plastic, I reminded Mr. President, who was spending his allowance, that if he spent it all today he wouldn’t get any more for a whole month.  He of course wanted to spend it all anyway and put his 4 dollars worth of toys in his cart. Again, more money lessons we hope they learn with their little allowance before their big paychecks.  Go Go put in his 2 dollars worth as well, but then as he passed a little golf club and ball he exclaimed, “Blue Jeans would LOVE this!”  Without even thinking twice he put one of his toys back and put the golf club in for Blue Jeans.  When I gave him a teary hug and told him how proud I was of him for choosing to be like Jesus and share his money, big brother was listening.  One of Mr. President’s toys went back on the shelf and I was then presented with a bouquet of white fake flowers.  I thanked him too for his thoughtful gift and we made our way to the cash register.  I tried hard not to blubber on the cashier when she told them how wonderful she thought it was that they had thought of others when spending their money.  I walked away from the store bursting with gratitude that sometimes, our lessons do get through to them.  And the plastic flowers will be a crowning addition to my decor Forever.