Money Management For Kids

It was the first week of school and instead of cracking open the math books, we learned about money through games and recognition practice, counting and ultimately, purchasing at our "store".

 During our school time, Oliver is quite into his learning but often wanders over to more important matters :)

 money cans 

 Everyone had a turn being cashier.

 They could not purchase an item unless they counted the correct amount (and the older ones had to know what change they'd get back).

Gratitude:

1025. ways of doing math that I wish I had been taught!

1026. visiting with extended family at my cousin's bridal shower (Hi Karen!)

1027. Missions Sunday and how he was brave enough to stay on stage this time

1028. how she dances and lights up the stage

1029. two silly and excited girls giggling with their friends before the performance

1030. for all of our missionaries, particularly CityKidz and all they're doing right here

1031. medical staff who fly to other countries to give of themselves for those in need (You know who you are! God bless you!)

1032. sampling flavours from around the world after our service in celebration of the many countries represented at our church

1033. a brand new week ahead
1034. our fabulous neighbours/friends who are currently preparing to move to another province this morning... we love you and will miss you tremendously XO

Counting The Years

She shakes a flowered sock full of coins in my face and tells how she's saved her money for a poop-scoop for her bunny. We've been using the one from the cat's litter but she wants her own, and because we're already out for a doctor's appointment, I agree to getting one today.

I pull up to the door of the dollar store and she and her big sister jump out and listen wide-eyed to my instructions, how I'll be parked right here at the window watching them. It's several minutes before I catch them emerging from the aisle to the cash counter and I sit a little higher to view their purchasing. Customers quickly gather and form a line behind them as my big girl counts out the handful of small coins that should make $1.13. It's not that this part is difficult, just independent. She counts it out and I count the years that have flown.

Memories flood and I'm back in "So-Low-Sales" with my sisters, buying penny candy and counting out our own precious money, sneaked into our dress pockets by Grampie. We'd dash around the corner from his house holding hands and drool over all of the colourful options. I always picked Bazooka gum with the tiny comic tucked inside that I never quite found funny. My sisters picked Black Babies, and I felt scared and grown-up all at once as we stepped toward the "lady". I always silently prayed I had added correctly. Ashamed, many times I hadn't.

My eyes focus on my girls again as the eldest places each bit of change down while the smaller one peers on, just a head above the counter. Suddenly, coins spill all over and my heart pumps harder and the mother in me wants to run in and rescue, but I laugh in spite of myself. Still, tears rise as my own little girl embarrassment is close enough to feel again. They gather the fallen money and complete the transaction without wincing and I know in my heart that my girls are braver than I ever was. Seconds later they're in the van and showing off the new purchase. My little boy begs for the receipt, because that's what they love to have--he beats his sister to it this time. I tell my girls I'm proud of them and that I witnessed every minute of their bravery.

(We don't live close enough to corner stores to have had this experience any earlier but I'm thankful the growing up is taking it's time.)

(photo: just the age I feel that they are when I watch them attempt new endeavours :)

Rosy Cheeks and A Sore Hand--A Teacher's Dream

Today is officially the first day of school for some, but we began last week because my children begged to begin. That thrilled my heart! I must be doing something right, I thought. Well, it's a good thing humility is a godly quality because today was a little bit of a nightmare. There were tears... oh, the tears! I almost cried a few myself but because we're working on the fruits of the Spirit, I tried to exercise self-control :) We'll get it together, we always do... with God's help... but it will take some getting back into the routine, I do believe. Nevertheless, we enjoyed some precious moments last week.

drawing self-portraits

matching colour words

ordering numbers
(which, Oliver says, must be punched every time you place one down :)


But my favourite moment had to be watching Molly write her story. When she was ready to read her epic novel to me, her cheeks were warm and rosy from feverishly scrawling all those imaginative thoughts onto paper. She complained, with a big smile, that her hand hurt from writing--a teacher's dream... sigh.

reading her rough draft to me

making changes

typing up a good copy

May God bless your school year and grant you many wonderful and successful ideas, favour with your children and patience.