A Penny Earned is a Lesson Learned

This actually happened several months ago....Lincoln began constantly asking us to buy him toys, candy, etc.  So, being the brilliant mother that I am I decided that Lincoln needed to learn the value of money.  He really wanted this toy motorcycle that he saw at Walmart for $3.50.  I told him he could earn his money, just like mommy and daddy, and save up to buy it.  We came up with a plan that if he would make his bed every day then at the end of the week he would earn a quarter. If he took the garbage out twice a week he could earn a quarter also.

It took about 2 months of working and saving but finally, the day came when he earned his last quarter, topping off at just under $4.

That night, we had a family home evening lesson on tithing and he set aside 10% to give to the bishop on Sunday.

It was finally the big day.  We went to Walmart, Lincoln picked the motorcycle he wanted, and then he paid for it himself.

This was one happy kid!

Since then Lincoln has slowed down on the money saving and doesn't make his bed EVERY day but he doesn't just ask for money anymore.  He asks to do a chore to earn money.  So we feel pretty good about that.  Lesson learned!


A few days later, Lincoln came home from school and said, "Mommy, I'm going to spend all my money on candy and tattoos!"  We're so proud.

Ham

If there's a need for someone to ham it up for a crowd you can count on our boy.  Here are a few recent additions to his repertoire:

• I asked Linc one day in the car if he had his "listening ears" on.  He told me they were starting to fall off so I "passed" him some super glue, which he promptly used to secure them back on.  A few minutes later he said they were falling off again and I said, "No way! We superglued them on! No way they're coming off!"  He told me he was using tape to put them back on.  I asked him if he was using duct tape or goose tape.  He said, "Nope, I'm using MAN tape!"

• I was telling Monica about a stand up comedy sketch that I thought was really funny.  When I shared the punchline, Lincoln asked "Daddy are you SERIOUS?!"

• Lincoln got home from school one day and announced "I'm going to spend all my money on tattoos!"

• "Mommy, are clouds made of snow? and how do birds get in the sky?"

• Linc was in the bath playing with his toy whales.  I asked him what kind of whales they were and he completely made up a "scientific" name for one of his whales.  I can't remember what it was but he was dead serious about it.

• Lincoln was telling us about his day at school and he said that he and Jonah and Lily were laughing so hard at lunch today.  Monica asked him why.  He said, "We were saying funny words."  Monica asked what kind of funny words and he said, "I'd rather not tell you."  Then he started laughing really hard.

Funny things he says all the time:

• What the heck?
• Oh man!
• My bad!
• What the?
• Are you serious?
• Oh garfunkle!

Toy Story 6

"Daddy, in Toy Story 6 Woody has a big robot Woody and lasers come out of its eyes like this (shows me) just like in Chicken Little."

Lincoln's Tender Heart

Lincoln has a "tender heart". He can be sensitive and get his feelings hurt, but he is also generous and always wants to take treats to share at school and primary.  Today one of Lincoln's teachers, Ms. Amanda told me of a conversation between Lincoln and his best friend Jonah.  Jonah's grandpa passed away last Friday and he was felling sad about it today during quiet time.

Jonah: "My grandpa died."
Amanda: "I'm so sorry Jonah."
Jonah "I miss him."
Lincoln:" Its okay Jonah he is in heaven."
Jonah: " He is?"
Lincoln: "Yes, he is in heaven and it's nice there."
Jonah: "Oh, okay.  But I still miss him."
Lincoln: "Its okay, because he will always be in your heart and be close to you, so you don't have to miss him."
Amanda: "Thanks Lincoln for helping Jonah to feel better."

Amanda told me that she was so touched by Lincoln's tenderness for his friend that she was choked up listening to their conversation.

That's my tenderhearted little guy.

Lincoln and Elder Bednar

Today after stake conference, Lincoln had a special one on one meeting with Elder David A. Bednar of the quorum of the twelve apostles.  You can read about it here.

Shower Blog

Lincoln can take showers all by himself!  He started this about 3 weeks ago.  He wants to be big; lately he really wants to be 5 and go school and into the "school agers" room at his pre-school. He asks me every day if he is 5 yet.  - Don't grow up too fast bud!

Finding Lincoln