Dollar Day.

I hope everyone is having a good week.  Tomorrow is Friday, so we all have that going for us.  This week has been filled with fun.  Today we took a freezing cold trip to Lake Michigan.  It was at least ten degrees colder there than it is here.  Just enough for goosebumps and chattering teeth, instead of relaxing in the sand and water.  Myles ran through the waves, Jillian chased the seagulls, and then we got the heck out of there.  Better luck next time.  We watched the temperature rising with every mile we drove on the way home.

Anyway, on to my story.  Yesterday, the kids and I met Ben for lunch.  We were eating and talking about all sorts of exciting kid things and I notice this woman nearby listening intently to our conversation.  It certainly wasn't private, so I really didn't care much.  After about five minutes, she walks over to our table.  She turned to me and said, "Do you mind if I talk to your children for a minute?"  It was a bit awkward.  I replied with a meek, "Sure."  Thinking...what is she going to talk to them about?  Did she need to ask because what she is going to say is not appropriate?  Of course I was right there, so really what is the worst thing that could happen anyway?  Needless to say, it was a bit odd.  The woman proceeds to get out two dollar bills, one for each kiddo.  She told them that when she is out and about and she sees children behaving exceptionally well, she likes to reward them with a dollar.  Myles and Jillian were so excited.  They each thanked her and proudly waved around their dollar bills.  It made their day.

After nap, we went on a shopping spree, so they could each spend their "hard earned" dollar bills.  On the way to the store, we had a discussion about why sometimes people call dollars "bucks".  It was quite comical.  I digress...  Anyway, after perusing the dollar section at Target, they decided that they wanted to go to the Dollar Store next door to make their purchase.  (Whose kids are these anyway?  Give me a dollar and I can always find something at Target to spend it on.  In fact, I bought some sand toys in the dollar section before they left...maybe I was the sucker on that decision...hmmm...did they play me?)  After some heavy debating at the Dollar Store, they each settled on some goggles to enhance their swimming abilities.  

Thanks to the woman offering rewards in the restaurant yesterday.  It made our day...literally.  We didn't "put it in our piggy banks" like the kids promised when they received it.  (I'm thinking they might be programmed to say this or something?) Instead, it made for an exciting afternoon for two tiny tots.  Maybe someday when I am done wrestling with my own kids during a meal, I will take her lead and seek out some well-behaved kids on a Wednesday afternoon.  They all have their moments of perfect behavior, don't they?  I'm so glad she caught us on one of those moments.

Cheers to Friday, friends!  Enjoy!