Saving

Since RTC is now 8 we started giving him an allowance for the "services" he provides around the house. Granted, he must be reminded to perform these "services" but he's 8 and in my book that's OK. He's getting it and he's not complaining.

When he gets paid on Saturdays we sit down and take 10% out for tithing. 40% out for savings, and then he gets to keep 50% as his spending money. I keep his spending money with me so that if we're in Target and he wants to get a toy or something he has the means to purchase it. We started this back in January.

In February I'm not sure if he's the one who brought it up or if it was us, but it comes up that he'd like his own iPod. Hmm...I think and so I propose that he saves his spending money for one. I told him that if he wanted just a shuffle those were relatively inexpensive and shouldn't take him very long to save for it. Man, he was stoked! Fortunately for him his Mimi & Granpa Bud sent him money for Valentine's Day - so he was much closer than he thought. He started doing extra things for me at home and when he came to work with me he did a few chores there as well.  When we were at the store he would mention getting a toy and I would just say "sure, here's your wallet" and then he'd think about it and not spend the money. It was great to see him think about it and decide he'd rather save and buy the shuffle.

This past weekend we took him to the Apple Store (yes, I'm aware that Walmart sells the shuffle for $3.00 cheaper, but there's just something different about going to their store) and had one of their "geniuses" help him get the color the wanted.

He's so thrilled!
He also seems to be taking care of it better than the camera Santa brought him a couple of years ago! Guess there's some truth to them taking care of something better if they work for it.

We cautioned him on volume control of his ear buds. 

We loaded up some songs that we thought would be OK for an 8 year old. You know the staples, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Rush, Yes, The Cars, Sammy Hagar, Twisted Sister  - you know 80's music at it's finest. 

He's already thinking about what he wants to save up for next.

1st Day of Spring

 Aww....The first day of spring!

Even though it's not as warm as it could be I thought I'd share some of our favorite "firsts" of the season!

These are my tulips!

They are finally blooming!

I would plant 10,000 of these

if I could. Tulips just make me

happy & remind me of my

childhood!

These are pictures of our first snocones of the season. Eskimo Sno is one of our favorites so we were tickled when we found their location on the west side to be open a couple of weeks ago.

What a wonderful season & can't wait to have a few more "firsts" before summer begins!

Junior Jammer Basketball

We finished our first season of basketball a couple of weeks ago. 

He had a really good time, learned a lot and in the end the team finally won a game. I wish that all of the teams could have that feeling because it certainly put a little spring in the boys' steps afterward!

The boys after their win!

This action shot was taken by

our LNC {she's 4}

 

Scoreboard after their win.

Our team!

Looking forward to next year!

Ballerina Girl part 2

Here's the second dance she did on Saturday. For whatever reason it wouldn't up load earlier. I actually like this one a little more. 

I think she's a little doll, but then again I am EXTREMELY biased!

Our little ballerina

Let me give a little bit of background. I was never a ballerina. I think the only dancing I did while growing up was either in my own house or at our high school dances. I now have a daughter and while there is nothing wrong with being a tomboy - I was happy when she expressed interest in taking dance lessons, more specifically ballet. (I thought it would help with her balance) I was also extremely happy that in our area we have a Tippi Toes franchise. These wonderful ladies come to my daughters daycare and bring those kids the opportunity to dance. I don't know if this wasn't an option if she could take dance right now.

So, yesterday some of the dancers from our area were brought together to entertain residents of a senior housing facility. My dancer was SUPER excited! 

Now without any further ado for your viewing pleasure...our little ballerina...

Our Renaissance Man

In case anyone missed it we LOVE living in Norman. It's not just for the SOONERS either. Norman is a community filled with quirky little annual events (I can't think of too many towns which have a Chocolate Festival or a weather event). This weekend our son participated in one of those! It was the 23rd Annual NAMTA Music Mall Marathon. The event is sponsored by Norman Area Music Teachers Association, Gilliam's Music and Sooner Mall. This year there were 20 different music studios that performed along with a showcase for advanced high school students, and vignette performances featuring several of the teachers. There was piano, violin, and flute music from 5:30 pm on Fri. until close of Sooner Mall at 6:00 pm on Sun. Yes, anyone in the mall can stop and enjoy! It's seems a little odd at first, but this is his second year to participate and he really enjoyed it. 

We're a little biased, but we think he's doing pretty good and he's having fun. He loves his teacher and that makes asking him to practice soooo much easier! We found it interesting that the president of the University of Oklahoma was in the audience during this! 

It's a short video so please enjoy!