T's Hard Work Pays Off

Eric and I feel that it is very important for our children to understand the value of hard work. We have been trying to teach this to Tayeson for quite some time. For several weeks T had been asking us for a yellow school bus, so we decided that this may make a great incentive for him to learn about some important aspects of life. We went to Target and told him that he could pick out a toy he wanted. He quickly decided on a Thomas the Train boat. We brought it home and put it on top of the fridge where he could see it. We showed him his chart and explained that if he earned all of his stickers he would be able to have his Thomas boat in a week. He worked really hard all week. Every time he put on a new sticker he would look longingly at his Thomas boat. Today, he finally earned his last sticker and got to open his boat. Little did he realize that in earning these stickers he learned the value of work, patience, following directions, and setting and achieving goals. You can tell that this boat means more to him than any toy that has been given to him because he earned it.

We love this little boy so much. Everyday he does something that makes us laugh. I love that when I do his laundry the lint trap is always full of sand, dirt, and rocks (and recently spare change?). I love how he knows when I'm having a bad day and says, "Mom, you're a princess." I'm so excited to see who he becomes as he gets older and I'm so grateful to be a part of his life. Tayeson we love you so much and we are so proud of you.
T with his new Thomas boat and his completed chart. Can you tell he's excited?