Leap Pad Upgrade

Zac asked me yesterday when he was going to get his Leap Pad upgraded to a Leapster. The logic was classic Zac:

"Mom, the age range on the Leap Pad is ages 4 to 8."

I thought I would offer him a bargain. "Zac, if you want a Leapster for your birthday, I will give you $20 towards the Leapster, since that is what I would spend on your present anyway. Then you can use your money to pay for the rest." This is a child who's piggy bank account is close to the century mark. "Or, " sez I, "you can have a simple birthday party with your best friend over for cake, and I will use the money we would have spent on the party to get the Leapster."

He thought for a moment. "No," he replied, "I want a new Webkinz for my birthday instead."

Ah, choices. They start early. I mean, I could have had new granite countertops last week, but, uh, I wanted a drivable car instead...