Home of Douglas Loots

One of the games we’ve always played with the kids is “Bank.” Some time ago, Grandma Bernadine gave Brayton a little train bank, I think it was Easter of 2006. At some point we found out that Brayton loved to put the coins in the little slot. This became a game, we’d dump out all the change and B would put the coins back in. It was also a learning opportunity, by the time he was 1 year old B could identify the differences in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. We’d say, “put a dime in” and he’d choose a dime out of the pile. He couldn’t say the names, but he knew the difference.

Some time later, I bought a jug of pub mix at Costco. The container was clear plastic with a screw on lid. I cut a hole in the top of the lid and this became our new “bank”. I was concerned that with our kids increasing activity the train bank Grandma had given us it would eventually get broken. At least this new bank was plastic and if it was broken we wouldn’t care so much.

Lauren over the past few months has really taken to playing “bank”. She doesn’t know the difference between all the coins the same way B did, but she loves playing. We also think it’s good to help the kids tune their fine motor skills. With Lauren, she really loved putting the coins in her mouth so it took us a little while to get her to the point she wouldn’t put the coins in her mouth.

The result of all our playing bank was captured this morning before Mass when B was upstairs with me while I was getting ready for church. Colette and Lauren got to play “bank,” uninterrupted by big brother.