My little salesman

Today, Gabriel had his skating lesson, the last one before his skating competition tomorrow.  He doesn't know it, but he's actually skating against himself and will get a 1st place medal for the first time.  I'm going to let him relish in that feeling of "winning".  He's always gotten a medal, but never a first.  Maybe this will help his self confidence.  He is quite the competitive child and likes to "win" and 2nd or 3rd place are losers in his eyes.  Nothing I say can change his thinking.  I just keep telling him he's a winner regardless.


Gabriel selling Wendys cards at Walmart

So after skating, we had to head over to Walmart to do some fundraising for our skate club.  The goal was to sell Wendy's frosty cards.  Unlimited frostys for a year....$1 per card.  I thought this would be a nightmare and boring for him, and I'd just end up chasing after Gabriel and his younger sister.  but Gabriel surprized me.  He turned out to be quite the little salesman. He went right up to people and had his little saying "Will you please buy a Jr Frosty card for a dodder (dollar)?   It's from Wendys and helps for my competitions and it's good for a year."  People just couldn't resist him.  Some people actually would just give him a dollar and not want the card, but just thought he was too cute!  he would get mad when they wouldn't take the card, saying "Mom, they gave me a dollar for free".  He sold stacks and stacks of those cards.  Some people would hear him talking from inside the store and come outside just to buy a card off of him, saying he was just too good of a salesman.  He stood out there for 3 hours and was mad when it was time to go!  I was sooooo proud of him! 
I found I am doing a LOT of postitive reinforcement lately.  it's working. He loves it.  His good boy chart is almost filled!  I tried a good boy chart in spring, and it just didn't work.  He didn't get it, and wasn't excited.  Now, he wheels and deals to get that sucker filled up!  The prize?  A $5-ish toy of his choice. 
So on to tomorrow.  Another test with this medicine.  He competes tomorrow.  Lets see if he remembers his routine!  it's his favorite one ever!  Polar Express music, wearing a conductor outfit!  Then to the circus after that!