Entrepreneurs

Some of our neighbors planned another neighborhood garage sale for this summer, and even though we didn't have a whole lot to put out, I decided to do it after the kids begged me to have one. They REALLY wanted to do their lemonade/cookie stand again. I scrounged up some toys, clothes, and items we weren't using anymore, and we were all set and ready to go Friday morning. With Grant another year older, I felt I could do it on my own with Greg at work.  I was right! We're on the cusp of a whole new world around here. :) A world without babies, a world with more independent children, a world in which we will have a child of babysitting age--oh, what a wonderful world that will be!

Friday's garage sale was a success. I sold almost all of the things I wanted to sell.  We weren't left with much for Saturday, but the kids wanted another day with their stand, so we did it for several hours. Greg was helping two different people move, so we didn't have anything else to do anyway. The kids made more than me that day, by far. In fact, they made almost as much as I did over all, thanks to grandparents, generous patrons like the Jeffries, and many others who said things like, "Keep the change" and "Here's some money, but I don't need the cookie. You can buy yourself one." They made $60! All the kids had a great time--hung out with their friends in the neighborhood, rode scooters up and down the sidewalk in between sales, did a little math, and had many opportunities to practice manners and being polite to strangers. The kids were generous with their neighborhood friends and any other friends who stopped by, too--started doing a promotion of free cookies for friends! I had to make more cookies Friday night because they ran out. They gave away (and ate) a lot, but they sold a lot, too. They priced their product to sell-- 25 cents for lemonade, 25 cents for a cookie or 2 mini-muffins--and they were pretty cute out there. For the whole first hour, all four sat at the table, sampling the goods and waiting for customers. Anyone who walked towards our driveway had four little pairs of eyes boring into them.

We divided the kids' money between them, with a smaller share for Grant, and they each made plans with their money. Kari used hers (and some other savings) to buy new roller blades. Joel bought a new video game for the Wii--Lego Star Wars III. Aubrey bought Kari's roller skates from her, at half price.  Good purchases all around. They also all had a lot more money than usual to put in the offering at church on Sunday!

Grant was being silly in all the photos.

Selling lemonade really takes it out of you. He came in from riding his scooter just before dinner at 5pm, sat down, and next thing we knew, he was out, helmet still on and everything.