Positive Thoughts

CJ ran some errands with Mama after school today.  She was excited to go to the grocery store because she had something she wanted to buy.  She told Mama she had her own quarter for the purchase.  Then she explained that she wanted to buy a stuffed animal from the machine in the lobby.  Rather than just saying no, Mama thought it might be a good lesson.  She explained that she had NEVER seen anyone win and that most likely CJ would just be losing her quarter in the machine.  CJ understood and still wanted to try.  It turned out that the game cost two quarters so Mama ended up chipping in the second quarter to help teach CJ the lesson.  She again explained how unlikely it was that CJ would be able to catch and win a stuffed animal with this game.  CJ still wanted to play, telling Mama that she should be thinking positive thoughts.  

There were no instructions on the machine so CJ put in her quarters and the clock began counting down its 20 seconds.  CJ eyed a purple bunny near the front of the machine and lined up the metal hook on top of the bunny.  As the clock clicked away its last few seconds, CJ pressed the button and the metal hook dropped down on top of the bunny.  Mama watched as it lifted the bunny up.  Then she forgot about positive thoughts and watched, waiting for the bunny to slip from its grip, but it never did. The metal hook lifted the bunny up and up, then over, finally dropping the bunny in the winning slot.

What a lucky lady!  We went through the store, telling people about how she won by thinking her positive thoughts.  That wasn't really the message Mama had thought this game would teach...