Oren’s behavior is influenced a great deal by what Siena says and does. A recurring example happens at nap time. Siena jumps on her bed and says proudly, “My bed.” In mimicry, Oren climbs up to join her. “Mybed,” he says.
“No, it’s my bed,” she insists.
He replies, “No. Mybed.”
“No, Oren, it’s my bed.”
“Nomybed.”
“No, my bed!”
“Mybed.”
For Valentine’s Day, Siena received a Hello Kitty pocketbook and a small zipper change purse. I explained how she could use these to store her money. So, when she opened a card with a five dollar bill in it, she immediately unzipped the Kitty and put the bill in there for safekeeping. For several minutes she repetitively checked the contents of her purse, until that became boring. So she approached me. “Daddy?” she said. ”I need more money.”
Oren, too, was excited to have money. Valentine’s Day was over a month ago, and still he talks about money. Even tonight, for his bedtime story he wants to hear about money. He used to ask for “Daddy and Mommy” stories. Now it’s “Money” and “Lots Money.”
And he loves that gold-colored dollar coin, too, perhaps because it’s so big. He puts it in his pocket, then cries when he can’t get it out. He plays with it, too, throwing that dollar coin onto the couch so it bounces back to him. Now, Siena copies him. They can play this game of “coin fetch” for what seems like a very long time.
My kids and money. She demands it, he fantasizes about it, and both of them just love throwing it around.