Quite the Difference....

I know that I have talked about it in the past (more than once!), but I continue to be astonished at the differences between Quinn and Sullivan. I mean, seriously, they both are a product of Ryan and I.  Both have been raised with the same rules, the same expectations, etc. And given those things, they both are so completely different. I would say much like my sister and I.  I see a lot of Meredith in Quinn.  Maybe it is the birth order, first child thing, but both are driven and focused.  Sullivan reminds me of myself, sort of. Anyway...

I was reminded of the girls' differences while we were on our trip to Minneapolis.  Grandma Jane and GiGi had given Quinn and Sullivan some money for Valentine's Day.  They hoped that Quinn and Sullivan would be able to spend it on something special while on our trip.  And because of that, the American Girl store had our name-a-callin'.  

When we entered the store, Quinn was completely overwhelmed.  After we looked around a little bit, she started to look for something to buy.  She found a very adorable white dress for her doll that she really wanted to get.  Once she realized that the dress was $30 (cough!!) and that it would take all of her money, plus a little thrown in by mom and dad, she very quickly decided maybe she didn't want it.  We encouraged her to get it, reminding her that she had that money for a reason.  She refused.  So we moved on.  She looked at a few more things and checked out the price tag.  Everything was too expensive (in her eyes).  So with some encouragement from us, and with us saying that she would regret not getting anything for her doll, she settled on a watch for her doll.  Price tag for the watch?  $8.  She proceeded to the counter, carefully counted out the money she owed and examined the money she still had left.  

Meanwhile, while Quinn is scouring price tags and settling on something small for her doll, Sullivan knew exactly what she wanted from the store.  She really, really wanted a doll.  She really wanted a Bitty Baby, which is an infant baby doll.  The price tag was quite a bit more than she had in her wallet, so we said we would pay the difference.  We stated that she would have to use everything in her wallet.  Every last penny would have to be put toward the doll.  She was totally fine with that.  After selecting the doll she wanted, she proceeded to the counter, unzipped her wallet, dumped out the contents of the wallet and pushed it toward the cashier.  Not sad a bit to depart with all her money. Not a care in the world.

And with that situation, I was transported back to my childhood.  I could have cared less about money and spending it.  As soon as I got it, I had to spend it.  Meredith was Quinn.  Sad to depart with even a penny.  Carefully she counted her money and knew how much she had all the time.  Meredith used to convince me to buy the things she liked, telling me we could share them.  I eagerly obliged.  Quinn has figured that out yet, but I have a felling it won't be long!