What do you get when you take

a piggy bank to the local mall?

2 exciting rides on the see-through elevator

1 wild (-ly expensive) Carousel ride each

 1 hot dog on a stick with a lemonade each.

1 stop at the mall fountain

30 tosses and splashes into the donation pool.

 the most exciting day we've had all summer

And instilling in my children the values of

determination,

hard work, 

and perseverance.

After all, it was hard for them to dump out all that money from daddy's change basket, spread it throughout the house, get yelled at for making a mess and causing a choking hazard, and eventually, with a few fits and much resistance, put all that money in the piggy bank.

But hopefully, it was worth it.