Spending Spree

The girls both got Walmart gift cards for Christmas - a whole $10 each!  It was more than they could hardly comprehend, having only dealt with pennies and quarters so far.  I wanted to make sure they felt freedom to get what they wanted, but it I also couldn't let such a teaching opportunity completely slip by.  Before we went to the store I asked them to draw out a list of things they wanted to look at to buy.  We talked about the difference between things that we enjoy right away for a short time (like candy, fresh flowers, etc) and things we can enjoy for a longer time (fake flowers, toys, etc.).  We also made rows of ten boxes by their lists so they could see much the items would cost compared to their ten dollars, and so we could track how much they had left.  Then, off to the store we went, and, other than answering their questions and showing them the range of options they had, I did my best to let them make their own decisions.  They had SO much fun and I think they did a great job!  I loved listening to how they were making their decisions.  Here's everything Elsa brought home:

They both chose a combination of candy and toys, and they talked to each other about how they could play with the fake flowers longer than real ones, even though the real ones were prettier (but also more expensive).  I was quite proud of them, and of myself for not trying to control and influence their decisions! (And, in case you can't tell, the fingernail polishes they picked out are completely sparkles and glitter.  I obviously had no influence on that!)