The value of a dollar

So Nate had to learn a life lesson this last week. We have been having a lot of trouble with him and wanting/taking "cash" (he says cash, not money or dollars, cash). Anytime he sees any cash laying on the counter or in someone's pocket he says "I need that cash for the ding-ding man". Well, it was cute at first, but it quickly turned into a constant begging and whining for "cash" or ding-ding man. Well, the Popsicles from the ding-ding man cost $2.50, we told Nathan he could go to the store and buy a whole box of Popsicles for $2.50. He was skeptical. Joel spent 5 minutes talking this over with him and telling him we were NOT getting the ding-ding man that night, but Joel wanted to take him to HyVee to show him what he could get for $2.50. After the discussion, we found Nate standing in the driveway with $5 (from Grandpa) waiting for the ding-ding man. Joel about hit the roof. We took his $5 to HyVee and he was able to buy 24 Superhero bomb pops and 20 regular Popsicles. He was thrilled and really learned something about the ding-ding man. So, flash to the next day. He gets up and asks for a Popsicle, I say no. After I pick him up from school he informs me that there are 24 Popsicles and he can have one a day for 24 days. I laughed but kind of let it go. Not so funny now, he asks me daily for a Popsicle count. He got home from Grandma Jeanne's the other night and proceeded to tell me about the 2 bowls of ice cream he had. Then he says, "but I haven't had my Popsicle today". AARRGGGGG!