Our kids, when feeling too much cloth and too little cash in their pockets, know what to do. They think I don't know what's going on when they say, "oh, we're just playing store, that's all. Just for fun. It's math, you know."
After a little play with fake money, I hear, "So...mama, do you want to shop in our store?" Uh huh. I thought so. They need a customer with real change. I have that. But my change jar is not very full, since the-Person-who-fills-it-up has been away on business the past two weeks. Oops, we depleted it while he was away. Oh. Apparently we did add fingerprints aplenty. Who ever thinks to clean a change jar?!
The prices start at just 3 cents per picture from our Little Guy (he's 8). That's my price since he offers a "Mom Discount." His drawings would cost you 5 cents each.
Of course, our Little Guy accepts tips, too. So do the girls.
The girls' drawings are priced by our 11-year-old ballerina who understands that a quarter is what you really want, since you can't buy anything for less these days. She prices her drawings at 50 cents and our Little Gal's at 25 cents. At this point, their logic is cracking me up, but I'm a good customer and pay up (and I also mosey on over to our Little Guy's tip jar to add a few more quarters to it. He'll figure out pricing soon enough, but for now, he keeps repeating, "I have a Mom Discount. The girls don't.").
Our ballerina also offers a "free gift with purchase." The free gift? Chocolate Cake. Oh, my. She's a smart one, she is. She sells out and has to create more drawings. I slip a few more quarters into Little Guy's tip jar. It's not like he can bake a cake yet.
Meanwhile, our 13yo big fella, who thought he was too old to play "store," suddenly realizes that money is being handed out. He works ten minutes on a drawing - several mini drawings on one sheet of paper, actually - and offers to sell it to me for $5.00. As if. "I can buy a picture from him for 3 cents, you know, " I say. He has a Mom Discount." Little Guy beams.
"Okay, two bucks, final offer," our big fella says.
I can't resist such an excellent offer for such fine drawings, so I pay up.
And then I add a bit more to our Little Guy's tip jar. He'll learn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
p.s. Um, hey, Babe, if you're reading this, please do come home with really full pockets. Our change jar is so empty it's gone through the dishwasher and sparkles. Really.
It is great when the older kids, who think they are too old/cool to play, suddenly find themselves joining in :)
Posted by: JanMary, N Ireland | September 25, 2008 at 02:12 AM
Gosh, I loved this post. Everything about it. The story, imagining your kids hawking their art to mom (their biggest fan of course), and the lovely photos. Very nice read that I think shares the best of what homeschooling is about. Time with our precious children.
Posted by: renee @ FIMBY | September 25, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Love the cash register. That is darlin.
Posted by: Dionna | September 25, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I got a good laugh out of this! I'm glad my kids give their artwork for free, otherwise I'd be in terrible debt to them! :0) (also glad they haven't figured out that I would pay if they asked, LOL!) Love it, love it, love it!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Jerri | September 25, 2008 at 02:00 PM
LOL....I had to LOL dear daughter as I remember when I was down there that those kids figured out they could use the copier and then they could sell me copies of the pictures!!! They are SO smart!!! Guess I better get my change jar ready!! Love you
Posted by: Mom | September 25, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Lori, I've tagged you as one of my favorite blogs. Since you don't know me from Eve I'm not expecting you to really care much but I just thought I'd let you know that "I Love Your Blog"
http://fimby.tougas.net/love_and_kindness_links
Posted by: renee @ FIMBY | September 26, 2008 at 08:15 AM
That's pretty funny that your oldest decided he needed to get in on "playing store", too.
Posted by: Wendy | September 26, 2008 at 08:56 AM
This is a great post. My kids love to play store and wish! I would pay them with real $$, but it is not to be. Wanted to stop by your blog and say hello to a fellow TOS Crew mate! Congrats on making the team. Looking forward to getting to know you during this project. Blessings, Sheri (aka: 1 of 100)
Posted by: Sheri H | September 26, 2008 at 08:38 PM
cute, cute post. I will try this one when they're all "extra chored" out and they need a little extra cash.
Posted by: Natalee | September 28, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Dionna -- Got it at Target. A few years ago, but I saw one there only last week. It's made by Parents (as in, the magazine). It has lasted a few years through four kids very well!
Thanks, ya'll, for visiting. I'm blushing. And hoping the kids provide more inspiration (can any kids not?).
Posted by: Just Pure Lovely | October 02, 2008 at 11:31 PM