Shopping Day

I've never liked to shop.  If I have to shop I learned long ago to just go by myself, get in, get out, and that's that.  I don't find it fun to go shopping with others.  Ever.

Today I spent a good portion of the day shopping with a hot, tired, hungry (never-ending hunger today for some reason) 8 year old. 

Tonight during our roses and thorns share time my thorn was, "Shopping made me tired and grumpy."

Miss M's response was, "You stole mine."

That kind of sums up the day.

I now know why my sister buys most of my niece's clothes online or brings them home from the store and then returns what doesn't work. 

Next time. 
For sure.

As a result of the shopping experience and a bit of a power struggle when it was time to get out of the pool today (nothing major - but new and I didn't like it), I implemented a new behavior/allowance chart this evening.  Saturday night Miss M earned her first $3 allowance (I had no idea what to give, but since she's in the third grade, this made sense to me) and tonight I developed in more details how she can earn her allowance in full, or lose some.  She actually starts the week with $2 in her weekly allowance bank and then she can earn or lose allowance in 10 cent increments depending on choices she makes.  She responded positively to the challenge and was mathematically working out the system out loud with possible scenarios. We'll see how to goes this week.

Praise Reports -
The shopping is done and we didn't totally break the bank. A friend, and teacher at Miss M's school, gifted Miss M and I with a JcPenny's gift card!  How sweet and thoughtful.  We spent it wisely and one of the purchases was her special outfit (purple and sequins), which she is wearing tomorrow, is laid out ready for her wake-up call tomorrow morning.

Prayer Request -
For Miss M - Her first day of school is tomorrow and I know she is quite concerned about making new friends.  I haven't seen her have a problem in this area yet, but I'm just praying she makes some connections tomorrow.  (And that she st

For Me - Tomorrow is my first day on the new job.  I'm a new assistant principal at a middle school.  Enough side.  (I'm totally excited about the middle school change - but it's just a BIG change and a NEW change.)  Also please pray that I can be consistent with Miss M's behavior plan.