Happy Birthday

Sorry, we tricked you. It's just an early celebration at So that way your friends don't miss out since your birthday is during the break from So. Hmmm, maybe we should get cupcakes for your friends at Champions. Mommy might be frugal, but I can pay for it. Depends on the kids ages at the program I guess and how you get along. We'll see...

I keep trying and failing at winning the lottery. Sorry that I'm not that good at winning. But know that I'm trying had to win so that I don't have to work and can spend more time with you. Hopefully, it'll only be 10 more years at most, but by that time, I'm not sure you'll still want to hang out...

Ahead of Time

Look who was super cute and had so much fun today at Aunty Joanne and Uncle TJ's house. It was cousin Caleb's graduation. Actually, mommy didn't like the picture so we will use another one...I'm sorry you had to hear and witness mommy and me arguing. But maybe it's good. Relationships aren't about perfection. They're about being able to coexist and work together to solve problems.

Mommy and Daddy are still working to figure out how to solve problems. I think mommy might need different motivation. I know quarters worked for you. We'll need to find the right motivation for mommy...

Quarters Galore

It's only been a few days, but quarters are causing you to do what you're supposed to do. I wish you could do things on your own, but this is a start. And it shows, that you are able to do what you're supposed to do.  I don't want to always have to use quarters as behavioral tools, but at least it works for now. It may not always work...

We are going to Aunty Joanne and Uncle TJ's later today. You're going to need to be super good. There are people there you don't see often so it's important that you show them your best. Lots of quarters for you. Right now you even wanted to sleep by yourself to get a quarter. I was gonna sleep with you too. LOL. Anyhow, keep listening to your parents and coaches and you'll get lots of quarters. When you're an adult, you can make bad decisions if you want. We hope you don't...

Spend, Share, Save

Alliteration is so cool. I'm hoping this is a good thing. I was thinking, at the rate of payment, you'll get more than 1 toy a week. Hopefully, making you save and share will slow it down. Although, I was asking mommy, what you're saving for...

Anyhow, you seem to understand. I'm gonna try to teach you about cents, nickels, and dimes too. That way you can earn more. Maybe, we'll charge you a fine when you're bad? Not sure, but at least it something you seem to easily pickup and motivates you. Motivation is important. Hopefully, you'll learn to channel it in a good way for good things...

I Have An Idea...

Probably not an original one, but original to you. How about we start paying you to be good? Sounds bad when I say it out loud, but it's to motivate your simple mind to do what you're supposed to be doing anyways until you learn to do what you're supposed to do on your own. At that time we can transition it to an allowance for chores?

It will also teach you the value of money at an early age so you understand that it doesn't fall from the sky and that you need to work for it. And that you need to save, share, and spend it. Anyhow, I think mommy is on board and I'm glad you only know about Dollar Tree, although I'm not sure what kind of quality you get. Maybe you can try Temu? But then you'd have to wait...

Daddy, Can you ______ me ______?

You just asked me if I can buy you more toys. I think it's because I bought you toys yesterday out of the blue. I thought we did a good job of making your gift binder, but I might have ruined that with my actions yesterday. I'm sorry. It's not that we can't afford to buy you anything you want. You won't understand it until you're older probably. It's because we shouldn't buy you anything you want.

Scarcity gives things meaning. As does the opposite. If you always get what you want, what will happen when you finally don't? They say that "friction" is an important part of your development. Making your life easy can have negative impacts in the long run because you won't be able to figure your way out of complex or difficult situations. It seems like you understand that it's okay to lose, but that applies to things you may not want to lose as well. Anyhow, I'll try to reset your desire for buying things. However, if you want me to print something for you, that I can always do...

Happy Days

I hope that all your days are happy, but that's probably unrealistic. I'll settle for you having more happy days than unhappy ones. I'll try my best to sacrifice my own happiness and do whatever I can to make sure you get as many happy days as possible. The only exception is if your happy days is a bad thing. I'm sorry, but if doing the right thing or giving you a happy day are the choices, I will probably have to do the right thing. Sorry.

I hope you never have to make tough choices in life, but that's probably unrealistic. I hope that when the choices is made, you do the right thing, even if it doesn't benefit you. Principles and morals are hard things to hold true to in this world. I imagine it will only get more complicated for you. Until then, enjoy the happy days.