Playing the Game

Here is Freestone with another To-Do list.  His motivation this week comes from Grandpa.  It is Freestone's turn to earn a DS game from Grandpa by being good all week.  Every night he has to call and check in with Grandpa, telling him whether he has been good, and whether that day counts towards the new game.  "Being good" is a bit too nebulous for Freestone's personality, and doesn't give Mom and Dad enough of a chance to capitalize on the motivation of Grandpa's challenge.  So each day, Free's checklist includes all the stuff he has to practice for violin as well as all of his reading and homework.  I think Monday's list even included a box to check for "cooperate happily."  Today's list has to be accompanied by a note from Madame Dean that verifies that Freestone did not talk at school when he was supposed to be listening.  Apparently, his social skills are getting better along with his math, French and reading! 

I'm afraid the list gets longer every day as I find out how very enthused Freestone is about Grandpa taking him to get a new game.  By Friday, the list will have morphed from reading and practicing to "clean out raingutters" and "clear weeds and lay sod in gully."  Scott is going to have to limit what I put on the list, because it seems like Freestone will stop at nothing to earn that game!  Thanks, Grandpa, for giving us a gift better than a DS game:  One week of free motivation!