The Value of Money

Tori learned a valuable lesson this week. She learned the value of money. Two weeks ago, we got our Sunday paper with coupons like always and in there were coupons issued by Hasbro. They had coupons for $4 off Transformers (used it), $5 off My Little Pony, and $5 off a Baby Alive doll. I've never considered one of these dolls for Tori, but Tori seemed very interested in having one. Since her Easter gift was already purchased and I wasn't intending on buying another doll for her, Tori suggested she buy this doll herself.

I told her that was fine on two conditions 1) she have the money to buy doll (taxes and all with coupon), 2) she keep her room clean until I can take her to the store.

Since Tori was two dollars short of her goal, she spent two weeks keeping her room clean. I, to be fair, kept reminding her to put away clothes on the floor and put away toys that belonged in drawers or toy boxes. She was pretty good at doing this. And in now way, would she earn money from ME that she needed for this Baby Alive. Tori had to find it on her own.

Finally, yesterday, it was decided that I could take Tori to get the doll. However, she still needed the two dollars. As luck would have it, Tori checked her piggy bank in her room and lo and behold, two dollars (plus some) were in there. I told Tori to bring the extra, just in case (I'm not used to sales tax in Arizona).

We went to Wal-mart where they had the doll cheapest ($15, plus $5 coupon, meant only $10 for doll, which is completely reasonable).

Now to interrupt, I just want to say, I remember when I was Tori's age and a few years older, raising my money to buy toys I wanted. It always felt so good when I finally had the cash and I could go to the store to get the Barbie or My Little Pony that I wanted (those were my big toys when I was a kid). There is something about buying something yourself that makes you so attached to a toy.

But anyway, we went to Wal-mart, Tori picked out the doll herself (Baby Alive - Baby Beautiful now), went up to the cashier, presented coupon and money, and walked off with the doll all by herself. I could tell she was so proud.

However, we do have an agreement. Before Tori can raise money for her next toy, she must put some money away into her 'fund'. It's always good to save for that rainy day and never too early to start saving for your future.

Oh and the baby doll...happily slept by herself in the Dora bed next to Tori's bed. And today, Tori gave her swimming lessons in the pool, after she took her for our walk at Saguaro National Park. *sigh*

Spring has sprung in Arizona!

Wow! It's been too long since I last updated. Sorry about that. Been busy with the children and trying to write other things. Maybe one day I can actually earn a living writing...but I doubt it.

Anyway, Spring break has come and gone. School started two weeks ago. To our surprise, so did spring in Arizona.

I first noticed the baby prickly pear pads (yum) starting to come up, along with potential fruits (double yum). Then Tori noticed these beautiful flowers on the organ pipe (?) cactus. Just today, we went walking through another part of Sagauro forest and noticed flowers of all colors (orange, yellow, and purple). The saguaro flowers are not out yet, but they will be soon. I can't wait to see those.

So, despite living in the desert, we are experiencing a beautiful spring here. Things are greener and more 'flowery' than we expected. I'm loving it. Of course with spring comes pollen. We have this strange tree in our yard that has pom pom like balls for flowers. They are kind of the equivalent of those stringy pollen strands that fall all over back east. These balls are everywhere now. And they are invading our sinuses like crazy.

With spring comes spring cleaning. We decided to straighten up our backyard today. Our old picnic table chairs started breaking, so we went off to target to replace them with new chairs. Instead of getting boring beige ones to match the table, we got them in rainbow colors. The kids like them and it adds color to the back yard. Kevin powerwashed the back deck before he put the chairs up and now, it looks great.

I also cleaned up our sandbox and added sand. Stefan loved helping me do that. Then we enjoyed the new lounge chairs Daddy got (our old ones from Bealeton also broke). So all in all, it's been some nice sun time. But of course there is no going outside without sunscreen...or SPF swimsuits.

Gotta love it!