Reagan and the Grand Hotel at 8 Years Old

A Gift for the Teacher

Reagan has been less than fully enthusiastic about school this year, for the first time.  She says this is because she has a very strict teacher, and she's used to warm and fuzzy.  But last night, I caught her making this gift for said teacher.  If Mrs. J. wasn't smiling before, I'm sure she'll be smiling now. 

The Negotiator

It's apple-picking season, and Little Miss and I were out doing it.  She was up in a tree, I was firmly on the ground.

Reagan: "Mom, how much will you pay me to pick these apples?"
Mom: "Well, yesterday I told you I would pay you $5 for a garbage bag full."
Reagan: "No.  I want to be paid by the apple."
Mom: "Fine.  I will pay you $.03 an apple."
Reagan: "No.  $.10 an apple."
Mom: "No, $.03.  You have to negotiate a better price."
Reagan: "What's negotiate mean?"
Mom: "It means to compromise in a way that we're both satisfied with.  I want to pay you 3 cents, you want 10 cents.  So you should find a price in between that I'm willing to pay."
Reagan: "We're both fine with 10 cents.  There.  Deal.  I win."

She's a tough negotiator.  I have to admit.  I was ready to say ZERO cents really quickly, but she was too cute and I caved.  Plus, I realized that she went for the biggest apples possible to fill her bag, which meant that $.10 an apple was actually cheaper than the $5 a bag I'd originally offered her.  See... a deal with both can live with!