"Why is Labor Day even a holiday??" He complained (non-stop). "What does it celebrate anyway?"
"Well, it celebrates laborers. You know, workers. It's a day when people like teachers and principals don't have to go to work. Which means no school."
"You mean workers like Daddy don't have to go to work?"
"Um. No. Everyone except Daddy."
(Sorry Honey. We missed you today. A LOT.)
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Well, besides church stuff (going out with a bang from one calling and into the fire of another) which has consumed my time. . . and brain. . .and computer. . .and telephone during the last while. . .
And besides a disastrous first week of school for Isaac, involving daily parent/teacher conferences, a trip to the principal's office, long lectures, agonizing apology letters (and phone calls), a weeks worth of red-face behavior marks, and a lot of tears, hugs, extra attention and visits to the classroom, prayers, and an incentive system that seems to be working so far. . .
And besides two momentous trips to the dentist. . .
And besides an embarrassing (and sad) day when Clayton accidentally wore his pants backwards to first grade. Shirt tucked in and everything. (oh, lame-lame mom for not noticing. . .)
And besides an entire Saturday dominated by football. Go BYU! I've never seen my boys cheer so loud. . .
And besides a trip to the emergency room for stitches after Brigham split Clayton's eye open during a heated (tantrum) football game in the living room.
The next biggest event around here was our trip to the Dollar Store this afternoon.
Last month, like I mentioned before, Isaac lost his first tooth. And okay - let's just get one thing straight. A dollar is A TON of money for one little tooth. I used to get a quarter and I. Was. Grateful.
But after several hours-days of whining about that measly paper dollar, (he honestly thought the Tooth Fairy would bring him a "real-live Chitty Bang Bang car"????) It became evident he had NO CONCEPT of money. Or it's value. (Unlike Clayton who has been saving for years, frequently checks toy prices, and hoards pennies.) So. . . after a superb Family Night lesson on money, tithing, and counting, (good job, Honey!) I introduced my children (for the first time ever) to the best store on earth to spend a dollar. They. Were. In. Heaven.
Clayton purchased an awesome airplane launcher. Works like a dream - every time. The design is so flawless and the little foam airplanes so harmless, even I am amazed it was only a dollar. Definitely worth every penny.
Brigham purchased a foam sword (I tried to steer them away from the weapons. really, I did). Besides the soft foam (sigh. . .) the truly magical thing about this sword is the plastic clip ("sheath") that allows you to wear it ALL DAY on your pants.
After much debate (and to my chagrin), Isaac purchased a foam dart gun. It was an utter disappointment. The darts barely popped out, dropping pathetically at Isaac's feet - every time.
He was heartbroken watching the other two with their clearly superior purchases.
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So today after celebrating "labor" day by doing jobs all morning, the boys and I headed back to the Dollar Store to spend their hard-earned Labor Day money:
Clayton purchased a shark that grows 600 times it's original size in water! It's still growing. . .
Brigham was wise - heading straight for the airplane launcher he knew would be a sure success. And it definitely was. Again.
Isaac was disappointed to find the foam swords completely sold out. So he settled for the pirate gear. Which happened to include a flimsy plastic dagger. . . that broke within 5 minutes - causing another bout of dollar store frustration and utter disappointment.
He got over it quickly though when Brigham (completely preoccupied with his airplane launcher) agreed to let Isaac use his foam sword. Isaac spent the rest of the day in complete theatrical pirate splendor. And everyone went to bed happy.
Arrrggghh. . .
Happy Labor Day!
.
Happy Labor Day!
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7 comments:
Poor Isaac...a rough week at school and 2 disappointing choices at the dollar store!
Your weeks sound much more exhausting than mine!
What is your new calling? I'm assuming your old calling was the visiting teaching coordinator with your cool VT conference handouts.
I love the dollar store. It really makes you think that a dollar is worth something. In fact I was just looking at a blog yesterday devoted to things you can make with stuff from the dollar store! I love your boys. They sound so much like mine. Luke has been picking chokecherries this past week so he can juice it and sell juice, syrup, and jelly next Labor Day at Francis Frontier Days. He wants to save up for a Wii. Noah would rather spend his money on soda and cheetoes.
Haha, the dollar store really is amazing, and let Nate know that Brian, too, got choked up (literally) by watching the BYU game. However, don't let Isaac know that I once got 100 dollars from the tooth fairy, which is actually more disappointing than one dollar because it is inevitably taken away and exchanged for something less.
Okay, this is freaky. I know that Isaac and Samuel secretly conspire their next moves. I just have to share that Samuel lost his first tooth on Friday. Tooth fairy came this morning (we are a little slow) and somehow he got Karl to promise a trip to the dollar store.
They came back with way more than a dollar can buy.
Oh, Emily.
I think I might need more details about that incentive program that is working for now.
You've been busy Em. I hope the next pick at the dollar store for Isaac is a good one and I hope you make it through the next few months. We're thinking about you.
Stephanie - I was just called to be in the new Primary Presidency (as we try to salvage/throw together the Primary Program which is supposed to happen next week.)
Oh, and Christina. . .
before I reveal my top secret incentive system - AND EAT MY WORDS! - I'm testing it first for a few weeks. . . because well, let's just say I'm fighting fire with fire.
wait for it. . .
wait for it. . .
It's coming.
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