show me the money --- part 2

We finally got of the house yesterday despite the ice and snow, actually, although our driveway looks like the tundra, the city streets were pretty clear. Destination: Barnes and Noble. Purpose: to save my sanity. Well, that and to get a "Clippord" book or, Clifford book with the $10 Valentine treat from Gmom and Pop Pop. We played with the train table. Why is it that no matter what time of day, or day of week, we go to B&N's children's area, there are always creepy older kids hanging around the train table that hog up all the trains? I feel guilty because the B&N train table calls into question my supposed "love of children." Anyhow, I digress. We went over to the Clifford selection and chose our book. Then we went up the escalator to make our purchase.

As I handed over our books to the guy behind the counter, a large voice from a small child demanded: "NO! I don't want the Clifford book. I want my money!!"

A day of firsts...for Jacob going on 9

PSP or Xbox 360? I don't know. Any ideas for Jacob, because as you can see, he's already played his first video game, "Bugdom" and ready to move on.

Ok, Bugdom is about a million years old, but the sound and graphics are better than anything I ever played (Pong, anyone? Frogger? Ms Pacman? Space invaders? I could go on... not really... that's pretty much it.) So one thing I have said Jacob would never do is play video games and Voila!

And worse, it was me who showed him how to play it.

Another event today that is causing me to realize my 29-month old child (today!) is growing up way too fast is...he got a Valentine's card from Grandmom Cookie and Pop Pop Skip (Thank you -- we got it!) today. Nothing extraordinary about that but wait. I handed him the card in the car on the way home from Pati's. He was waving the red envelope addressed to him as we pulled in the driveway where I parked briefly and ran in to get my wallet. In the time I got back into the car, he had opened the envelope, was waving the cute fire truck card around and said "Grandmom and Pop Pop sent me money! Jacob has money! I have my money. It's my money." I saw a folded up square in his other hand.

It looked like maybe a newspaper clipping with a post it note. But upon closer inspection, it was a $10 bill, with a post it note saying hey, get your mom to buy you a nice book or whatever you want for Valentine's day. Sweet. Except no way was he parting with "his money." And where did he get this concept of money, anyway? Especially since all he really sees me use is plastic.

Anyhow, try explaining the concept of "Let me hold it for you. I'll keep it safe for you, I promise not to spend it, we'll go shopping tomorrow" to a toddler in the throes of the "it's mine!" stage.

When Daddy got home, he explained the "bank of Daddy" as best he could--along with fiduciary responsibility and insured deposits--and somehow managed to convince Jacob that $10 deposited with Daddy was a better investment that letting that $10 wind up ripped or lost. Whew. One father / son money talk down. Another gazillion to go.

And I'm sure that $10 will be burning a hole in his brain, if not his pocket. He already has his sights set on a Clifford book. You'll find us at B&N tomorrow.

the "big kid" at 29 months

Yes, the crib is gone--replaced with a toddler bed, which will last for five months if we're lucky. As you can see, the toddler bed lets the user better control what goes in and out of said bed--especially large construction vehicles.

jayjoe's mommy: Oh, look at your digger!

jayjoe: Actually, that's a backhoe with a front end loader, mommy.

jayjoe's mommy: Oh, of course it is. Silly mommy. Jeesh.

The other "big kid" thing that's going on is toilet training. Here, Jacob is in total control--as most toddlers are. But he does manage to go #1 on the potty at least once a day. The other good thing is I have managed to convince him that he doesn't have to completely strip down to use the potty, that shirts are ok to keep on while conducting this serious business. With this frigid weather we're having, we'd have one cold Jacob on our hands since some potty sessions can drag on for hours.

All in all, it's all good!