Bargains & Money & Candy, Oh My!

Ava & I went to the Economy Shop today. While there, Ava browsed in her usual fashion, picking treasures that she wished to own.  Of course, I always have to double-check the shopping cart before we check out, as these treasures make their way into it (and sometimes even into my purse!) mysteriously. Today, as I was going through the cart and getting ready to check out, Ava spied the candy dispenser. What followed:

“I want some candy.”

“Mommy is out of money.” (TRUE — I spent all my change at a yard sale earlier)

Then I notice a piece of masking tape over the money slot that said Out of Order. Aha!

“Look, Ava — it says, ‘Out of Order.’ That means ‘Doesn’t work.’”

“I said, yes it does. . .” and on and on more of the same.

I looked up a few moments later to find her putting something into the pattern bin nearby. I thought it was a piece of trash until she walked back to the candy and said, “NOW it will work.” Further investigation revealed the “out of order” tag crumpled up and thrown away. I put it back on, wondering if I could explain that the sign wasn’t the actual culprit in the scenario, and we paid and left the store. As we were leaving, the plea for candy began to escalate.

We arrived home (thank GOD only a mile or two) after intense screaming for candy from the “‘Conomy Shop.” I calmly left her in the car screaming (with the doors & windows open, of course) while I unloaded Luke and everything else from my car. By the time I had quickly thrown together a sandwich for her, the screaming was beginning to subside. Finally, it stopped, and I took her out of the car seat. She wondered why Luke got to get out before her, to which I replied, “Luke wasn’t screaming.” Point taken.

Lunch was fine — eyes a bit red from all the screaming, and voice definitely getting hoarse. After her customary, “‘Scuse, please. Tank you, momma,” she got down. I had purchased a Strawberry Shortcake wallet for her at the store, thinking that I was give her a quarter or two when we went next time and she could decide how she wanted to spend it. She found it. She brought it to me with the following:

“I have an idea.”

“Oh, really? What’s that?” (The ‘idea’ thing is completely new — never heard it before today.)

“I need some money in here.” (Don’t we all?)

Then, ” ‘Case I need it for candy next time.”

I DID get her some money, but she wasn’t content with pennies, wanting “a big one, Mommy, a big one.” As soon as the money hit her wallet, she began dancing around, singing “Mama mia . . .” and sporting an enormous grin.

She is now peacefully sleeping, while clutching the wallet with the big money, likely dreaming about bargains. . . and money . . . and candy . . . oh, my!