A Lesson Learned

Most everyone knows how cheap I am, I just think of myself as a bargain shopper. My mom taught me to never pay full price for anything and so I am always on the look out for coupons and deals. Well in the last month Conner has out grown all of his shoes and I got a note today saying he needs to wear tennis shoes tomorrow for P.E. I had coupons for Kohls so off we headed. I would have just went by myself and it would have been easier but I have no idea what size he wears. First we measured his foot which is a size 12 but could only find one pair of shoes in a size 12 or 13 so I thought. They were the Kohl's brand, a knock off of Sketchers and he liked them and they fit good. Conner has always had Sketchers because my mom finds them so cheap. Well anyway he also needed church shoes. So I asked the sales lady if they carry any in size 13 and she pointed me to the boys' section. I had been looking in the toddler section. There in the boys' section was a vast array of Sketchers, Nike, etc. Conner read one box and it said hot lights and Z strap. He did not know what the shoe looked like but he saw the cool box and lights and wanted them so we got them out and tried them on. They were pretty cool, a black shoe with a huge flame on the toe that lit up. They were on sale for $50. He tried on another pair of Sketchers for $40 but he really wanted the hot lights. So I lined up the 3 pairs of shoes $17, $40, $50 and told Conner he could choose any pair and I would buy them. In my mind I was thinking I want my son to fit in and be cool, but in the 1st grade does it really matter yet. I called Neil to see if I should give into this materialism but he didn't answer so the choice was up to Conner. I told him that he could have the $50 pair but then there wouldn't be money to get church shoes too, not the truth but it would seriously kill me to pay $50 for a pair of shoes for a 5 year old. He does have some boots he can wear but they are a little big. Anyway he ended up choosing the cheaper pair and he said mommy I want us to have money for the church shoes too. I like these shoes and they fit good. I told him that was a good choice. He also needed some shorts and pants so we were trying stuff on. As we were trying stuff on he told me how he wants us to use coupons because it saves our family money. To make a long story short, for what it would have cost to get the one pair of hot light shoes, he got a pair of tennis shoes, church shoes, Levi shorts, and a Osh Gosh pants. It was all $28 with my coupons. I was so happy and so was Conner. I just kept telling what a good choice that was and look at all the stuff you got that you needed. When he got home he was telling Neil and he started to tear up and I thought on no he's sad he didn't get the shoes but when I asked him why he was crying he said, no I'm not sad, I'm so happy. I am not sure if he's happy because he got some new stuff that he got to pick out (the first time) or because he made a good choice or what but I am so happy right now that Conner at least has some concept of the value of money. So in the language of Conner: he made a great deal. I told Conner when we are able to save money on items like this it enables us to do fun things like go to Chuck E. Cheese and the Fun Center. I am so proud of my son. I guess I am so proud because I work with the youth and I see too often their have to have everything NOW mentality. I know he's only 5 and the attitude displayed tonight most likely will change in the next 10 years but maybe that's why I want to remember it. He is just the best little guy. People may think he's a little different and maybe even that there's something wrong with him but I wouldn't trade him for anything. I love him so much. I love when he answers questions such as, "did you have a good day at school?" with a matter of fact, "of course mom", like I'm the dumbest person alive. He is loving first grade. The only things I've heard about is that they get 3 recesses and lunch but that's okay. I know I have so much to catch up on and blog about like Girl's Camp, GA, school but there just never seems to be time. I'm sleep deprived as it is but I wanted to remember this night and how happy I am with Conner. I am so glad he's the oldest. Here's hoping Mikey will pick up a few of Conner's good traits. I know I am always harping on Mikey but I have to remember he's 2 and that attitude comes with the territory. I must say he was an absolute doll in GA and everyone ate him up but as soon as we got home he was up to his old tactics. If that kid wasn't so stinkin' cute he's get in a lot more trouble.