Vacationing at the slot machines

We are currently in McCall, Idaho, a perennial summer vacation spot for my wife’s family. This year we are staying at Aspen Village, a large compound of time-share condos with their own laundromat.

I mention the laundromat because my 4-year-old adores it — not for the laundering, per se, but for the 24/7 vending machines.

Early in the week he decided that he absolutely needed a gumball. Never mind that it cost 50 cents, never mind that he didn’t really know what a gumball was. It was irresistible, whatever it was.

The next day he bought a bright-green drink called a Yummy Tummy (possibly spelled in an alternative, overly cute way), again using his own quarters.

Yesterday, for six more quarters, he purchased the last burrito in stock.

This morning he returned to the drink machine to salivate over a $2.50 bottle of chocolate milk.

“But Ben,” I argued, “we can make you chocolate milk at home for free! You don’t need to spend your money on this!”

My milquetoast protest fell on deaf ears. He simply had to have this bottle. There was nothing to discuss.

On the way home he cheerfully noted that he had now gotten the last chocolate milk in the laundromat, as well as the last burrito.

I think he was bragging, though I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell what’s going on inside that little head of his. The appeal of these purchases is almost totally beyond me.

My best guess — not a very good one — is just that, for a 4-year-old, it’s fun to pay a machine to give you a treat.

In any case, in a few more days this will all be over and we’ll be back in Seattle and he’ll be back to begging me to take him to Target.