Cora lifts the economy

We've started a paid-chore system with Cora, where she can earn money for a few of her jobs, like helping me fold Violet's diapers, and putting away the clean silverware from the dishwasher caddy.

She gets five dimes (50 cents) for each job, so it's easy to divide into saving (20 cents), spending (20 cents) and giving (10 cents). We took a trip to Target Wednesday, and she used her own money to buy new tape - one of her favorite art supplies - and her own Icee. I had coupons for the tape, so it cost her 40 cent.

On Thursday, we had lunch with Jaimie, Mackenzie and Luke. The kids had a great time together, even though Violet had missed her morning nap and Luke was overdue for his nap. The girls got along really well, and we all enjoyed Thrifty ice cream after our lunch.

The next two photos are from Lowes - Cora and Violet shared the special two-seater kids' compartment in the cart, and Cora grabbed the camera for a goofy photo showing Violet's new tooth.

Also this week, we visited Melanie and her new baby, Heather Olivia. We had a nice lunch visit, and it was fun to hold a newborn again. Not that I miss holding a baby yet - Violet is definitely still my baby!

And, finally, we've been happily eating grapes from our vine this week! We planted the vine over two years ago, and this is our first crop. They are really sweet, and on the clusters that Stace thinned earlier in the year, a good size, too.