Hard to argue with him

Alex is a saver; all the kids get an allowance and all are expected to save a certain percentage for their savings accounts (that they cannot touch), an annual charitable donation, and then savings that they can touch, but he's taken saving to a new level.

Between cash birthday and Christmas gifts, his allowance, extra chores, and working for his grandfather, he's saved enough that I regret ever having agreed to pay half of whatever car he intends to buy when he gets his license.

Last night he cornered me in my office; he covets my iPad, and thinks one will be useful for school. He does not expect me to buy it for him, but wanted to take money out of savings for it.

I'm fine with that.

But then, I'd also like to get Rachel one as an early birthday present.

That surprised me but I am not against it; I did tell him to think about it hard, because that was a huge chunk of money and she hasn't expressed an interest in one.

Well, not to you she hasn't.

He had more.

I also want to replace my cell phone. And if I get one, can Kevin have my old one?

Now, he knows we relented on giving him and Rachel cell phones before we wanted to. But he presented fairly well thought out reasoning: Kevin isn't in a private school anymore; he's in a different environment that might be less safe overall. He feels safer, but, you know, Columbine. Phones were helpful there. And he's kind of the odd man out; all of his friends have cell phones now, and he's really missing out. Not to mention, Elizabeth would like to be able to text him and he's tired of Kevin borrowing his phone to text her.

I'll pay the extra that it costs to get his phone number.

Kevin has never asked us for a phone because he knew what the answer would be; I know where Alex is coming from, though, because Kevin borrows everyone's phone to send Elizabeth random messages.

I wouldn't tell him yes or no on that because I had to talk to Char, but she agreed later, as long as Kevin doesn't use it at school, cell phones are a losing battle and it would be nice to be able to call him while he's outside rather than go looking for him.

This morning, Alex was still determined to get his sister her own iPad, so once she and Kevin had left for school we went out and got them; he got everything set up and charged by the time she was home.

She shrieked so loudly when he gave it to her that I'm a little surprised his ears didn't start bleeding.

He also handed over his old cell phone to Kevin and was rewarded with a high five and You're freaking awesome!

No, we didn't make him pay for adding Kevin to the cell phone plan. He was being extremely generous as it was, so we got him a new phone and had his old one set up for Kevin. The one thing I worried about, that Kevin would feel like he was getting yet another hand-me-down, was unfounded. He was thrilled.

It will make for a very quite drive to the condo this weekend. They can all keep themselves occupied and if he's good, I'll let Kevin play with my iPad on the drive.