Consequently, his chores had a new purpose! 10 cents for feeding the cat, a quarter here or there for special help to Mom, a Dollar Chart completed once in a great while when I felt like making one out for him. He got a little birthday money too, and that went in his bank. His goal wasn't on his mind all the time, so a few reminders were necessary.
Last night during a thrilling family outing to Walmart, the toy clearance aisle caught my eye, and when the children were sufficiently distracted by the fish and supervised by Jason, I doubled back to search for birthday presents, to be bought at a discount and squirreled away for the future. I couldn't believe it when I saw the long-hoped-for toy, ten dollars off the original price! It was even the color Owen wanted. I scurried back to Jason, whispered it in his ear. He carefully relayed the message to Owen, whose whole demeanor instantly changed from one of general Walmart-induced excitement to one of keenly aware, cautiously solemn, hushedly awed euphoria. He knew his life was about to change! He even told a lady in the freezer section.
We paid for the toy, on the terms that Owen would reimburse us once we got home. He could not play with the toy until the money was in our hands.
Jason performed The Counting of the Money.
Helen caught the energy too.
Owen waited patiently, expectantly 
until the great exchange, 
and then the green Leapster was his!
