Counting Pennies

    
     In December, Ryan and I decided to open up a savings account just for Jaylinne. She has been collecting change in the piggy bank Grandma got her since before she even knew what "monies" were! Every time either one of us has any change, we put it in her piggy bank for her. Anytime she sees any change laying around, she marches it right into her room, and immediately wants to "feed her pig."

     Realizing we didn't have anything to do yesterday, to save ourselves from boredom, I decided it would be fun to go cash in her "monies" at the bank. She was only a few squeals shy of utterly ecstatic ;) When we started this whole process, we told her that in order to be able to buy things, she would have to save up. We, as the responsible adults we are, were thinking along the lines of a college education. She, however, had other things in mind. As soon as she heard we were going to cash her money in, she decided what she wanted to buy. I bet 95% of you who are reading this right now already know what she wanted to purchase without me saying a word! (Ding, ding, DIIING!!) Yup, you guessed it: a dress up dress! (Lucky for her pig, she had a rubber stopper at the bottom. No shattering necessary!)

      So off to the bank we went! The whole idea of this was to have her save her money, not spend it. So on our way to the bank I told her that we were going to put the bulk of the money in her account, but she could pick a treat out at the store afterwards. She agreed. Once we were at the bank, she was feeling pretty fancy. She carried her piggy bank all by herself and announced to everyone, "I came to put this in my account!?!" upon entering the lobby. Look out, John D. Rockerfeller, it seems as though you have some competition! I was so proud of her :)

     After leaving the bank, I decided to wait until Ryan got home from work so he could go to the store with us too. We decided to go to the Dollar Store. Let's face it, you can't go wrong there! Her eyes lit up when we told her she could pick any 2 things in the entire store she wanted. TWO THINGS?!? It was only $2, but she felt like a millionaire :) She picked a new jump rope, and a Disney princess paint set. Score! I can only hope this teaches her to count her pennies.

     (This is the final painted product. Looks like Picasso better watch his back, also!)