Chase's fan

The library in Independence, like most other libraries, has a summer reading program where kids can earn prizes for reading (or being read to). Our library lets the kids earn credits toward various prizes. This year, they're called "buggy bucks" since the theme is Catch the Reading Bug! Last year, Chase had "purchased' a small personal fan that he just loved for the day or so that it lasted. All year, he has talked about getting another fan from the library this year. Wednesday, he got his fan, and it was even cooler than last year's. I programmed the message "Chase is GR8" and he thought it was the neatest thing. So did his other siblings, none of whom had purchased such a fan, not realizing how cool it was. As I was putting Chase and Tate to bed, the girls were playing with the fan. Sammy had it, and Britta wanted it. Britta reached for it, Sammy jerked her hand up and back--and the fan banged into her dresser and the part that holds the fan blades on broke off. I was unable to fix it. (The directions specifically say not to take that part off as it covers electrical contacts). I informed the girls that I would use Britta's buggy bucks the next day after work to get Chase a new fan, after which Sammy would owe Britta some of the buggy bucks she would subsequently earn. Both agreed after seeing what it would cost them to ACTUALLY buy Chase a new fan. After a long day at work, I was able to go to the library and get Chase a new fan. I brought it home and gave it to Chase (who had not asked for his fan all day and didn't know his was broken); Britta programmed several messages (Chase is COOL--isn't she clever) and Chase was playing with the fan. He probably hadn't had it 30 minutes when he brought it to me--with the front broken off. He had pulled it off himself because he just wanted to see what would happen. Needless to say, I'll probably discourage any of the kids from getting another one of these. I still think it's a cool idea, though!