Money, Money, Money...

Today as I am driving my teen home from guitar lessons. He asks me,"Why do you let Jacob spend money at the school book fair?" Jacob is my 8 year old son who is so clued out to reality. Anyway, I was gobsmacked to say the least as my son started telling me about the poster Jacob bought him...and the present he bought his "girlfriend"...and the things Jacob bought for himself. So I was a little hot under the coller by the time I got home. Sorry to the school but the book fairs are a little expensive and my kids never want to buy books. They just want to buy the jacked up expensive pens, pencils and erasers. GRRRR!!!
So I get in the house and start yelling. (What happened to the lesson I gave on Sunday about being a Peacemaker at home) I swear it was a test and yes I failed. Well turns out my lovely sharing son decided buy himself two pens that cost $4 and $5, one he left at school so who knows what it is. The other is a weird "message pen" that is suppose to connect to other pens and send messages. It seems like a watch with time (for New York)and other stuff. BUT...not sure how it works because he just through the directions in the garbage. So really it is useless except as a cheapo pen that cost $5. I told him I'd sell him a fifty cent pen for a fiver!
Jacob bought his brother a poster which I actually thought was really nice. It was the other four kids he bought for that I wasn't too happy about. My loving son spent(I think) a whoppin' $30. So with his birthday and Christmas money, he got two cheapo pens.
Shaking my head is really all I can do. What can you say? He shouldn't be taking money to school for one. I should never have let him have his money because he is a money idiot!! But it is a good lesson I guess.(still trying to convince myself.)
I am questioning the school though. I know they are fundraising but I think I would be a little concerned when an 8 year old pulls out a $20. And when a gang of kids are following him around begging for money. I would wonder if the parents would be ok with it. But NO that didn't happen. The school encourages the kids to bring in their money. Are they so short of help that in a very small area they don't notice one kid is paying for a group of kids!!
ARRGGG!! I am just irritated to say the least. I'm going to bed because I think I need this day OVER!!

Bulpitt Bucks

I hate housework. I hate fighting kids to get housework done. So last night I made Bulpitt bucks. I spent hours making currency $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Each person got their beautiful picture on a money amount. I'm a $50!! The kids loved it and are excited to get jobs!! It makes me happy. I actually stole the whole idea from my brother and I stole all his rules, chores and everything. Now fighting, name calling, not brushing your teeth all cost you. But good grades, helping out, brushing your teeth etc. you get money!! The kids are excited but it's a ton of organization and I am hoping I am up for it. I think I need to be charged if I don't follow through.
So right now I am trying to figure out how much to sell items for them to buy with Bulpitt bucks. My brother rips his kids off but they still work hard. My kids were already complaining about his rip off prices. I figured out he charges $25 for an fudge ice cream bar. Robbery? I don't know I guess it depends on how much they can make a day. My brother has been doing it a while and his kids make a lot of money. But mine could lose it all. For example- All the money was made and my kids wanted to have some. So they cleaned the kitchen table, stoves, counters, swept, tidied the kitchen. It was great then a little tiff broke out. My daughter hit the other daughter with the broom. I said,"that hit just cost a dollar." She got mad and hit her again. This continued for a bit and I realized that they may owe me money everyday. I may never have to pay out. And I have been stocking up on cheap stuff for them to buy in the Bulpitt store. Anybody want to buy some tiny cheapo speakers to plug into your equiptment with a headphone jack, or how about some lights that are on elastic for your fingers, or some yummy cookies. They are really cheap...just come on over and work at my house for a bit. As long as I don't have to do it...

Next Blog...

I just spent a bit of time exploring the next blog button. It was very interesting today. Every blog was about young families with toddlers, babies or one in the oven. It made me feel OLD!!! And I also realized that they talk a lot about potty training..gag! Boy that made me feel happy, I am so done with that.
Anyway everyone's blog was about their kids. Which made me think about the direction of my blog. Do I want to put my kids pictures up on my blog? use their names? I am a paranoid freak? I worry some sick creapo person will steal them or something. And then will my blog just be taken over by my perfect kids..heehee!! I don't want to be bragging about them all the time. Or maybe more so telling all their craziness!! Like Heidi's bedroom that seems to explode at least once a day. Or Jacob's fondness for hitting teens to make them his friend.(gotta love the logic of a 8 year old)
So I am hoping to stay true to my wishes and make my blog into more of my loves which amazingly enough are not just my four kids. But they do take up a ton of my life so they will have to be some part of it...like it or not!