“Time for dinner!” I called out to the kids.

My 5 and 8 year olds both came running, and sat down at their usual places. After taking a big gulp of milk, the 8 year old immediately noticed that something was not quite usual about their dinner. Then came, “ Where are the little yellow tomatoes?”

I replied: “They weren’t on sale today. So I didn’t buy them — too expensive.”

8 year old: “How much?”

“$5.99 for a small box of them,” I answered.

8 year old, “Oh”

I quickly added, “So I bought the little red tomatoes instead. They were only $2.99 per box, and the box is almost twice the size as the yellow ones.”

8 year old, “Oh”

Not giving up on this teachable moment easily, I added again: “when you buy things, you have to look at the prices, and make smart decisions. I really wanted the yellow tomatoes, but only if they cost just a little more than red. When the price difference is very big, then the red ones will do. They taste pretty much the same, just look different.”

8 year old says nothing.

I have more to add: “Money does not grow on trees, you know.”

8 year old: “Actually, it does.”

I look dumbfounded at this child.

8 year old, “Money is made out of paper, and you said paper is made from trees.”