She'll never know :0

Claire was in charge of loading the dishwasher tonight. (yeah, we're once more attempting to "responsibilize" the kiddos over at the Hughes household). The stakes were high. She would get to bring a friend along to the Waterpark tomorrow if all her chores got done. Advised & assisted by her well-intentioned older brother, Claire took care of this task as efficiently as she could...

Child Gambling

Claire came grocery shopping with me. She brought the money she had been saving so she could get something she had picked out a while back. When we walked by the "move-&-drop-the-claw machine" (what are they called anyways?), her eyes got big and she decided she needed to try it. I try to explain what usually happens but her mind was made up. She was sure she was going to catch something. Claire's dropped jaw was the saddest thing ever as she watched the empty claw make its way back. "I have to try again!" was the first thing she said. Fortunately, I was able to talk her out of it... that time. On the way out, she tried her luck again. By that time, it was pretty late and she was tired so the unfruitful fishing trip resulted in much stomping and pouting. I think she'll try again next time she gets the chance though...