Well, you were all so cute with your guesses as to what the little one's saving up for. And you were all so right on with an instrument! Remember the ukulele she was using as a violin before she got a real violin? Well, she still uses the ukulele (although now as an actual ukulele) about four hours a day. She makes up songs, puts on concerts, and just basically constantly has that ukulele in her hand. She's begging me to put a nail in the bottom so we can put a strap on, which means even handier carrying all over town.
But it is a toy ukulele, which means the strings really aren't in tune and it sounds, well...fake. And after seeing Storey with her apple ukulele, the little one had such determination in acquiring one of her very own, that I had to find out where it came from! I'm not sure how we stumbled across the Etsy shop that sells these wonderfully creative instruments, but the little one fell in love with the Avolele. She loves it. Adores it. Wants it in her hands right now.
But it's, um...$400. FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS! That means nothing to a four year old, but it sure does to a mama. So I told her, "Well, I think that's a very nice thing to save your money for, and if you'd like to do some extra work around the house to earn money to save up for your ukulele, than I'd be happy to help!" So she agreed. But the first thing on her list was to round up all the change Sasa leaves all over the house. I swear...guys and change. It amazes me how much they carry around in their pockets. How much indeed...we got $71.50 from all the change she's been collecting from Sasa's pockets. Ha! (He was shocked to find that out!). We counted change all morning, learning about the different coins and how many it took to make a dollar. It took us three hours to count and roll everything and she was right there with me the whole time.
And now we have a chore chart. In addition to the things she already helps out with (shoveling, cooking, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom with me, laundry, etc.) she has some special "extras" that will earn her a dollar a day. She's so very excited about it. She asks me all day long to read her chore chart to her, even though I illustrated the activities so she wouldn't forget. She's so cute!
So she earns a dollar a day, and between Sasa's pocket change and birthdays and holidays, I think she just might have enough in a little over a year. She sure is excited. SO very excited. She tells everyone that she's saving her money. Her jar of money sits on top of her dresser and she adds to it daily. There is such satisfaction when she empties her earnings into it. She just beams.
I love that she is learning the importance of saving money, and working hard for something she wants so very much. I love that it's not instant gratification and it's teaching her patience. I love that she is just totally rolling with it and it's all good in her world. She wants it, but she is at peace with the process of getting there. And the process is so very wonderful.
