Zach, the Fortress intern who lived with us this spring, came to visit Saturday night. He's been trying to raise money to go on a mission trip to Darfur. He has a long way to go with his fund-raising. A LONG way, 'cause he just recently started trying in earnest to come up with it. I jokingly said, "I think Aidan has more money saved than you do." Aidan leapt from his chair, ran upstairs to retrieve his pink bunny coin purse (hey. Stop laughing. It was a gift from Ms. D... or maybe Kaki.), and dumped its contents in front of Zach. He's saved over $13 so far, all in loose change that he finds around the house, in the car, on the street, etc. (And I've paid him a dollar or two for chores along the way.) He's been saving for THIS.
I thought for sure that Zach would say, "Aw, man, I can't take your money." But he didn't. Instead, he said "Cool. Thanks." LOL! I wanted to say, "Hey now! He's worked hard for that money, and has been saving for a long time! Give it back! He's only SIX!" But I didn't. I knew that Aidan was happy to give it, and I didn't want to take that away from him. (But I wanted to take the money away from Zach. lol!) I was so very proud of Aidan, mind you. I was just a little appalled that Zach accepted it.
So yesterday after church, one of our summer interns, Russell, asked me, "Would you mind if I took the boys to the toy store this afternoon? Yesterday, I thought it was so nice that Aidan gave Zach all his money, and I wanted to do something nice for him in return."
I could've kissed Russell then and there for being so sweet to my boys and for acting on an impulse to do something so kind. I warned him, though, that my boys are savvy and would choose the most expensive toy unless given a budget. I was thinking that Russell would tell them they could spend $5 or $10 apiece, and when he said, "You can buy something that costs $20", I added, "or, you can each buy something that costs ten." Russell looked at me and laughed, and said, "No, I mean they can EACH spend twenty." "Are you CRAZY?" I laughed. "I'm their Mom and I've never given them that much to spend!" Man, I love Russell.
We talked briefly about ordering the Lego chess thingy, and for a minute I thought that was gonna be the plan... and then they'd have $15 between them to spend at the toy store. But in the end, instant gratification won out, and neither boy was willing to wait for a package to arrive when they could get something at the toy store RIGHT THIS MINUTE. So off they went shopping.
Aidan chose the new Monopoly game, and Ian picked two more figures for his medieval battle collection. (He chose an archer and a dragon.)
Last night, the four of us (Russell, the boys and I) played a speed game of Monopoly. Good times, good times. This morning, the boys have already gotten the game out again and are in the middle of a game as I type. I wish I'd have thought to take a photo last night when we were playing. I know I'll want one of Russell and Aidan and Ian for my scrapbook, so I'll make sure and get one tonight. I already have the page title in mind:
I thought for sure that Zach would say, "Aw, man, I can't take your money." But he didn't. Instead, he said "Cool. Thanks." LOL! I wanted to say, "Hey now! He's worked hard for that money, and has been saving for a long time! Give it back! He's only SIX!" But I didn't. I knew that Aidan was happy to give it, and I didn't want to take that away from him. (But I wanted to take the money away from Zach. lol!) I was so very proud of Aidan, mind you. I was just a little appalled that Zach accepted it.
So yesterday after church, one of our summer interns, Russell, asked me, "Would you mind if I took the boys to the toy store this afternoon? Yesterday, I thought it was so nice that Aidan gave Zach all his money, and I wanted to do something nice for him in return."
I could've kissed Russell then and there for being so sweet to my boys and for acting on an impulse to do something so kind. I warned him, though, that my boys are savvy and would choose the most expensive toy unless given a budget. I was thinking that Russell would tell them they could spend $5 or $10 apiece, and when he said, "You can buy something that costs $20", I added, "or, you can each buy something that costs ten." Russell looked at me and laughed, and said, "No, I mean they can EACH spend twenty." "Are you CRAZY?" I laughed. "I'm their Mom and I've never given them that much to spend!" Man, I love Russell.
We talked briefly about ordering the Lego chess thingy, and for a minute I thought that was gonna be the plan... and then they'd have $15 between them to spend at the toy store. But in the end, instant gratification won out, and neither boy was willing to wait for a package to arrive when they could get something at the toy store RIGHT THIS MINUTE. So off they went shopping.
Aidan chose the new Monopoly game, and Ian picked two more figures for his medieval battle collection. (He chose an archer and a dragon.)
Last night, the four of us (Russell, the boys and I) played a speed game of Monopoly. Good times, good times. This morning, the boys have already gotten the game out again and are in the middle of a game as I type. I wish I'd have thought to take a photo last night when we were playing. I know I'll want one of Russell and Aidan and Ian for my scrapbook, so I'll make sure and get one tonight. I already have the page title in mind:
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,
not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a
cheerful giver."
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
4 comments:
How Awesome! Another testament that you are raising great kids and that you are surrounded by wonderful people...I love hearing those stories! Thanks for sharing!
Jonesee
What a sweet kid! My Aiden wants that same set. He set up a wishlist on Lego.com a few days ago, and I think it will take me 10 Christmases and birthdays to get him everything on his list!
That will make an awesome scrapbook page. Great story :)
you know those college kids, if a blind man offered his walking cane and they could get money for it.. they would take it! jk
that is soo Kool of Aidan
Karen
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