Sweet Secrets

Every year Aubrey's school sends home a money collection box. The children are to come up with jobs that they can help out with around the house and then earn money for their helpfulness. Through this activity the parents are to reinforce the idea of sharing that money with others by purchasing gifts for them. After the few weeks of helping out and filling their money box they get to choose who they would like to purchase gifts for and then attend the "Holiday Shop" at their school. This past Friday was the BIG shopping event! Aubrey was very excited to take the money she had worked so hard for and buy gifts for Mommy, Daddy and Abby!
When we arrived she waited patiently for the next volunteer to take her "shopping". As they reviewed her list, shopped for special gifts, and wrapped her purchases I enjoyed a cookie and cider while visiting with other waiting parents. When she entered the sitting room where I was she had a HUGE smile on her face. The last words out of her teachers mouth were "Remember, don't tell them what you bought!".
This is where it gets super cute...As we were walking out to the van she told me that she had bought Abby a toy that shakes and rattles and Daddy some gloves. I quickly reminded her to not tell me what she got me. When we returned home she was talking on the phone to her cousin Emily. She was explaining to Emily that she had gone to school and done some shopping. I believe Emily asked Aubrey what she had bought. As I was trying to get Aubrey's attention to not name the gifts in front of us, she rattled off what she had purchased for Abby, Daddy and then continued on with "and I got Mommy a pretty ring!" She then looked at me and said "Don't tell, I mean...Don't tell yourself!" Too cute!
She and I finished up our Christmas shopping today. I needed her to pick out gifts for her sister, cousins & a school friend from her. She puts such thought behind the presents and the joy it brings her to give to others is so heart-warming. I pray that her giving spirit continues as she grows and that it continues to bring her happiness. Now we just need to work on keeping secrets!