"Missionary Mama in the Making": When it "pays" to say "Thank You!"

Last Wednesday, we had a great day at the park, pushing the kids on the swings, balancing on the Teeter-Totter (no, not me!) and kicking the soccer ball around a bit. Then we made our way to a picnic table and had some yummy sandwiches, etc. for a light lunch. Later, daddy pulled out the big surprise and took us all to a newly opened ice cream shop! Yum! It was good ice cream and a lot less expensive {ok, cheaper} than most of the other places around town. {Saving money = sweet music to my ears!} That made the ice cream taste that much better! As we were wiping sticky faces and getting ready to head out the door, I mentioned to Clara that it would be nice if she told the owner "Thank you!" for the tasty treat. {Yes, she had already thanked daddy for buying it.} So, Matt took her up to the counter and without hesitation and with a sweet smile on her face she said in her cute little voice, "Gracias!" In my mind that was the end of that, she had been kind and brought a smile to his face. But, noooooooo! the story doesn't end there. I guess he must have been impressed by this because he asked her if she wanted more ice cream. What little kid in their right mind would say "No!"?!?!? Sure enough, she shook her little head up and down vigorously and the next thing we knew they were scooping her up another cone with the special flavor of the day. Oh, boy! And then, just for extra {extra} good measure they brought out a couple little sand shovels for the kids, too. Wow! It's amazing what a little "Thank you!" can do!!

*Park Pics*