Can I Get Something?

"Can I get something?"

Every time I announced we were heading to Target or any other retail shop for that matter, the first words our of Harper's mouth were exactly that - "can I get something?" It's likely a common phrase uttered by many 4-year olds, but we wanted to do something to minimize the amount of times we were hearing it. 

Mitch and I quickly realized we were the enablers. We're basically 12 year olds trapped in our adult bodies. We secretly love toys and buying them for our kids for no particular reason brings us joy. Which brought us to the realization, we needed to stop our habits before Harper would stop thinking she could get something every time we left the house. 

These teeny tiny figurines known as Shopkins consume Harper's entire world. They're completely silly, but I myself started noticing I was also checking the Shopkins aisle even when I was alone. Somehow I find them incredibly charming, it's weird. How can I, as an adult find a small figurine of a macaroon with a face to be so adorable? I've started to compare her obsession and collection of Shopkins to my obsession and collection of Beanie Babies in the 90's.

After Mitch and I gave ourselves a mini-intervention, we explained to Harper that she could start helping us around the house to earn dollars towards something that she wanted. We headed to Target for a "look only" trip to find out what she wanted to save for. She spotted a Shopkins collector card pack for $9.99. The goal was set and she was on a mission. 

Some days she was eager to help, other days she just wanted to play. We would provide opportunities to earn dollars such as helping clean off the kitchen table after a meal, help clean off the dishes, help unload and load the dishwasher, clean up the toys in the living room or pick up her own bedroom. We notified both sets of Grandparents and she even did some odds and ends for Granny and Grandma.  

It took Harper 3 weeks, but just yesterday she earned her tenth dollar. She was filled with excitement and pure joy as she grabbed the card collector pack from the shelf and put it in her cart. With her purse slung over her shoulder and ten $1 bills folded up inside, she waited in line behind me. The nice cashier accepted her money and provided her with a receipt and plastic bag with her purchase.  She couldn't wait to rip it open. 

As we walked out of Target she said to us, "All my dollars are gone now. I guess I just have to start over to get more dollars!" I was so proud of her and the way her mind told her to keep it going. I'm sure Mitch and I will continue to sprinkle in "just because" purchases, I mean kids are just too fun to spoil. But this was a good lesson for Harper and a great lesson for us as her parents. 

Harper busy cleaning off dishes for $1

A week or so ago my parents took a much deserved vacation to Mexico, which left us without Grandma daycare for a couple days. It was the perfect excuse to take a couple days off work and spend some quality time with kiddos during the week. 

The first day off, Harper didn't have school which gave us some flexibility in our schedule. We headed to Choo Choo Bob's for a train adventure. Harper immediately went into her magical world of imagination, and Emmett mostly liked making the trains collide and crash. 

On Thursday I was excited to bring Harper to school and pick her up. There are times as a working Mom I get sad about missing out on things like this. As simple and tedious as bringing your kid to school may sound, those are little moments I'm happy to sneak in. While Harper was a school I got some special one-on-one time with my sweet boy. 

I'm officially declaring that Spring has indeed sprung. Over the last couple weeks we've spent a lot of time outside. 

Mitch and I ran the Goldy Run 5K, and I'm happy to report we survived. We've take a little hiatus from running, so I was skeptical. We jogged through the University of Minnesota campus crossing the finish line inside TCF Bank stadium. It was a gorgeous run. 

Later that day, Harper and I drove North to Alexandria to meet Amanda and Jennie for what we decided was "girls day." Harper proudly told Mitch and Emmett the couldn't come because, "NO BOYS ALLOWED!" Amanda had a dress fitting and was finalizing a few wedding details with the venue. We visited Carlos Creek Winery, where in less than 3 months she will become Mrs. Amanda Wavrin!

The kids have been biking a lot. Harper is getting used to her big girl bike, and E enjoys his comfortable cruises on the red trike. When we aren't riding to the ice cream shop or around the block, we're in the back yard. Collectively we've found baseball bats, soccer balls, golf clubs and sidewalk chalk - plenty of things to add to the fun outdoors. Not to mention the swingset out back.

Emmett can't get enough of the clubhouse and slide. His little feet run as fast as they can to the ladder, where I have to assist his climb. (He's convinced he doesn't need me there helping, but he does.) We go up and down, then up and down again - what feels like 100 times. Each time down the slide, he flashes that adorable grin which makes the same routine worth it. 

Harper wants to swing as high as she can, but doesn't like the idea of pumping on her own. She'd much rather be pushed. :) The dandelions sprouted this week, so she's in springtime heaven. I received a beautiful bouquet yesterday. She must have spent a good 30 minutes picking. When she was done she asked if we could put them in some water, so we did. 

All this outdoor play is getting us excited for Spring and Summer! 

 

This week Harper also got her first haircut. Yes, you read that correctly - 1st haircut. It took me 4 1/2 years but I finally gave in. For the longest time she had NO hair. Once it finally started growing, I refused to get it cut. Lately we've heard a lot of "Oh my goodness, he hair is so long." Emmett was getting a little shaggy, so we had Harper tag along to Kids Hair. She agreed to get a trim, but said, "I still would like to be like Rapunzel." With a few inches off the bottom, she's still very much like Rapunzel - plus she got a sucker. :) 

Hope everyone is enjoying this Spring weather - I know we are!

Until next time...

The Helleens

PS. GO WILD!!!