Avie's first big lesson in honesty

This picture has nothing to do with the post, but just that it was taken today.

As mentioned previously, our ward Christmas party was this past weekend. It was in the Pinnacle building, a local business, here in town. Anyway, when we got home from the party, Avie showed me the ping pong ball she acquired while at the party. I asked her where she got it, and she said she was playing with it with Benny (a little buddy of hers). I told her it wasn't ours, and we needed to find out who it belonged to and return it. I explained how she needed to ask Benny's mom if it was his, and if it wasn't, then we would need to go back to the building and return it to the lady at the front desk. Sunday came around, and during crazy pick-up time in Nursery, I just asked Benny's mom about the ball, and she did tell me that it wasn't Benny's, and they had found the balls there.

I probably should have taken Avie Monday, but I kept forgetting until today. But maybe this way made her think about it a little more. Either way, I think she learned a lesson.

I took her to the Pinnacle building tonight (before we went to see Santa of course). We talked about what she needed to say to the lady and how she needed to make eye contact. When we got there, and I took her out of the van, I gave her the ball and asked if she wanted to hold my hand. She was being very confidant told me "no" while walking with her head high.

As we got closer to the door, she started to walk a little slower and her head started to get a little lower. We walked in, and I told the ladies there (one I knew, Summer), that Avie needed to talk to them. So Avie went around the corner so she could see them better, and she didn't say anything. They didn't know what was going on, but I asked Avie to say what she needed to say. She gave the gal the ball to Summer and said, "Here." Summer thought she was being a sweet girl, but after another reminder, Avie, with all the bravery her little body could muster then, said, "I'm sorry for taking the ball." They kinda laughed at her (in a cute way, not a making fun of way), and I explained how she took it at the party (which Summer was at too). Avie just stood there looking so sad/nervous. They told her thank you very much for returning it and for being so honest. Immediately, she beamed the biggest smile. I whispered "thank you," and Avie and I walked out the door. I asked her how she felt, and she said, "HAPPY!"

I explained the reason she felt happy was because she did the right thing, and she said, "Just like my bracelet!" (She has a little CTR bracelet.)

I am so glad that she got to have this little experience. Yes, it was only a ping pong ball, but I knew it would be a great teaching moment, and it was.