Selling Lemonade

My kids have been begging me to let them "Sell, SOMETHING, MOM!"

I thought it would be clever to sell something other than lemonade. You know, up their chances of making a few pennies.

Now I just know that other moms are smarter than me.

Taking an idea and running with it, left me outside four four hours, painting kid's faces-- some who paid and others who just got away with it because....

I thought I'd mow the lawn and work out side, and take breaks as needed, to paint faces.

As if.

I was swamped.

And I was doing pretty good, until one kid asked for

Lightening McQueen.

And after I scoffed at my lack of skills, he changed his mind for an ANGRY BIRD.

Oh boy.

But it was so fun, and I am so glad I spent the day outside with the kids.  It was the most perfect weather, and not a breeze to be felt.

And even if they only made $4 (after expenses) the kids had a great time, begging to do it again "tomorrow."

Yeah, Lemonade is sounding pretty good right now.

Takes less of MY time.

But knowing me, you guessed it.  

I'll not be giving them lemonade to sell.

Oh no.

Next comes a bigger, more profitable plan.

Which will take some time on my part, but hey, they're worth it.

I love letting my kids enjoy summer, they way a kid should.

That would be 50 Cents.  Forgot to add that part.  Oh well.  Most people figured it out!

Hungry Games Survivor

sur·vi·vor/sərˈvīvər/

Noun:

A person who survives, esp. a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died   Okay, not one person has died in the process of this Hungry Games, at least not yet. But it's been 10 days now, and I gotta say, it's going great!  The kids ration themselves really well. They tell others about the snack tray and they seem so much happier than before when it comes to snacks. AND THE BEST PART?  I haven't heard "I'M HUNGRY!!!" for nearly two weeks!

 Here are some examples over the last few days of some of the trays!

The Hungry Games

The Hungry Games. It's worse than after school snack issues. Much worse.

After I saw this, I went to bed thinking, I don't want my summer to be like this!

I know I am not the only one who has this problem, so I'm sharing my idea. I woke up the next morning, and pulled out a relish tray with dividers. I then gathered my ruthless Tributes and explained "The Snack Tray".

Such a creative name for it, I know.

I will put snacks on the tray everyday, but not until 10:30 am. There will be days the snack tray will not be available- like if we go to the lake all day. They do not have to ask me to eat off the tray, but when the tray is empty, it's empty. I have a tray that has several compartments, and I labeled them so that each Tribute has their District's commodities. So they're personalized compartments to avoid fighting and thieving. Though, Tributes will do, what Tributes do best: Fight and Steal.

Here is my list of snack ideas to fill the tray with, if you'd like ideas, and I'm sure there are more ideas based on what your Tribute will eat. (If you have other ideas to add- please do!)

Last but not least, I will add a sliced apple or halved bananas either early in the day and provide little else til those are gone or wait until their tray is nearly empty and then add the items that do best chilled or such- like cheese sticks.

I asked the Tributes what they thought of this Hungry Game, and I had all four tell me they LOVED it and Catelyn even said it's a great idea. So it must be.

And Jo Jo said she loved that ''she didn't have to ask me.'' Which I thought was pretty grown up for a 5 year old.

Cheese (sliced and sticked)
Goldfish
Pretzels
Nuts
Raisins, Craisins
Popsicle stick- Represents a frozen one, and then they turn the stick into me.
Apples, Grapes, etc.
Celery, Baby carrots, etc.
Olives
Fruit Snacks
Granola Bars
Graham Crackers
Wheat Thins
Ritz
A small sugar treat- like a Laffy Taffy or Starburst
Stick of Gum
Marshmallows

Anyway, I hope that this summer, I can keep the kids alive and well fed, while Kyle goes to work everyday. 

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!