Kids love rocks, and some children choose rocks/crystals over treats and plastic toys. They come up with some creative ways to obtain more crystals and rocks for their collections. One that stands out most in my head was a boy in from Sheridan, IL.
He came in the store four times with a different adult each time! On the first visit, he got many different treasures. His second time in, his grandparents bought him a couple items and the grandfather told the boy to ask if he could get a discount for being so cute. I told him that if I did that I would have to give each child a discount because they are all cute! Couple hours later, he was back in with the first adult and had a spending limit of $11. He left, saying that he would see me a little later. He meant it.About couple hours later, he was back in with yet another person and left with yet another crystal. It was fun to see this budding crystal enthusiast expand his collection all in one day!
On Saturday, there was a boy who came in to get a crystal to add to his collection, “A stone that he does not already have!” His grandmother gave him a budget of $25. I pointed out Cobalto-Calcite. He already had that. I pointed out Marcasite. Has that. After suggesting a couple of other items, I let him explore. He found the perfect piece, an Orange Agate Obelisk.
On Sunday afternoon, the same little boy came in with his dad and a different set of grandparents. 
He was looking around when Gary pointed him out to me. I asked if he was the one who got the obelisk yesterday. He confirmed, which prompted his dad to ask if he was in with his other grandparents yesterday. With his plan foiled, the adults convinced him that they would come back after he went to the carnival. The youngster just wanted a bag of rocks to add to his collection, and the nosy clerk had to ask too many questions. “Sorry little guy!” I thought to myself. Later in the evening the young man was back, and got his bag of stones, as the adults had promised.
Saturday evening, two girls came in and decided that they would split a bag of tumbled stones. They accomplished this after a great deal of discussion as to the prettiest, and to whether large or small stones would work best. They left and returned a few minute later with one girl’s older brother – about 11 years old – and a younger brother in tow. The older boy informed us with sincere responsibility that he was in charge of the group, that he was going to be a Marine when he grew up, and that he was very good in planning strategy! He kindly informed his wide-eyed younger brother that the two of them could each pick ten stones to put in the bag. If these fit in, they could each pick two more. The two boys efficiently went about their business, and completed their job quickly, peacefully and to the great satisfaction of the “officer in charge!”