Jack and the Monster Combine

Life is flying along, and all the kids are growing.  It's great to see them gradually, although reluctantly on their parts, becoming more responsible.  They are reaching new privileges.  But it's bittersweet to see them sprouting up and outgrowing their clothes.  I just sold a bunch of Helen's old outfits on a yard sale, and the memories!  I'm a sentimental sap for sure.

I even had to part with some of Henry's tiny baby things!  The little guy is out of the newborn stage, and at his 2-month well-baby check up today weighed 11 pounds, 11 ounces.  He's still not totally excited about the Bumbo seat.  It's a good thing he's oblivious to the fact that it's purple, or he would really hate it.  It's also a good thing his daddy is color blind. 

Jack hit a first lately--his first purchase!  He was with Jason at Hendrix Tractor Supply, and his eyes caught a...MONSTER COMBINE!!!!!  (Written in my most awe-inspired tone.)  Since Jack couldn't forget about the toy, Jason called the dealership and got a price on it.  They mistakenly gave a price that was out of the range of Jack's piggy bank, but Jack was determined to do some work to earn the difference.  He was even asking me for chores!

Jason double-checked the toy the next time he was in the store for farm business, and saw the mistake which was grossly in Jack's favor.  At the next opportunity, he took Jack and his money into Hendrix, and returned with one little pleased customer.

Jack is still convinced that everyone on the face of the earth is extremely interested in his monster combine.  He will boldly inform anyone who will listen of his fine purchase.  He also has a realistic fear that it might get broken by rough play, and so, without much tact, will warn some people that he doesn't want them to have it because he doesn't want the auger to break.

His baby brother is still a safe admirer, and so he took some time to demonstrate its capabilities to him.

A Big Moment

Quite a long time ago, Owen set his eyes and hands upon a friend's toy, and as a result, has been wanting one for himself ever since. I researched the price, and since we didn't have a spare $50 laying around, we told him we wouldn't buy it for him, but he could pay for it himself.

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!

Bye-Bye, Night-Night Bear?

Here's a write-up of the State Farm Neigh-Bear recall. Helen was given one of these by a State Farm agent a few years ago, and we named him Night-Night Bear. She is extremely attached to it.