Robbed

     Blondie and Dude earned their new belts at Tai Kwon Do.  Near the studio is a pizza joint that has lots of crane machines and toy dispenser machines to stick money in to win (or more often not win) cheap crap from them.  Because we rarely go there, we decided this could be a special treat to celebrate their belt promotions.

     I gave each of the kids quarters to spend in any machine they wanted.  Dude and Ball went straight to the "Candy Crane."  (Yes, they were allowed to eat candy from this machine the day after their dinner consisted of popsicles, cupcakes, and soda.  Chalk it up to poor planning, ok?)

Unlimited candy - until the quarters are gone

    
     See that sign at the bottom right?  It says "Play til you win."  That means the crane doesn't stop working until candy has been dumped down the chute.  My youngest two knew exactly what they were doing; they were like kids at a Candy Crane.  Both kids had small piles of candy in front of them at the table and were enjoying their spoils.  (No, they had not eaten dinner yet.  Stop judging me!)

     Blondie instead went to the crappy stuffed toy machine.

Will happily take all your excess money.

     In less than five minutes all her quarters were gone.  Blondie came up and asked for more quarters.  She told me they were all gone and it was no fair because she had nothing and Dude and Blondie had lots of candy.

     She might not have scored, but I had.  I rubbed her back and said "It really does seem unfair that all your money is gone.  Unfortunately, you won't always win something from those toy machines."  I was about to teach Blondie a lesson about being more responsible with her money AND that stupid crane machines (unless they state "play til you win") are a money pit.

     Blondie was upset and kept asking why she couldn't have any extra money.  I was not caving.  She was going to sit at the table watching Dude and Ball gobble up their loot.  Just then an older lady walked up to Blondie, handed her two quarters, told Blondie "these were in the machine", and then looked at me and winked! 

     With those two quarters Blondie ran to the "Candy Crane", scored herself two handfuls of candy, and happily sat down at our table.

     So to the older lady at the pizza parlour: I might have seemed rude last night when I never thanked you for your quarters.  You were being very kind to my daughter, but I was not happy when I couldn't figure out a polite way to decline your offer.  Consequently, even though you gave money to us, I felt robbed.  I was robbed of a teaching moment with my child.  For future reference, I prefer you keep your two quarters to yourself next time.  Thank you!