Suburban Mamma

I just passed off my last requirement to join the elite, the lemonade stand. I really was dreading it but couldn't deny my kids who'd been asking for quite some time. We invited some friends over to help us so I wouldn't have to endure the pain alone. It seemed like everyone who drove past bought some and would even leave a tip. After I put a stop to Rozlyn's door to door solicitation the advertising became running up and down the street, chasing the cars, yelling and jumping like the house was on fire. We even had a few neighborhood geckos join in the fun that were being passed around. That fun ended when the owner told us to make sure and wash our hands because they carry salmonella on their skin. Gross, as if I'm not paranoid enough about sickness. I was so scared all night that there was going to be a neighborhood outbreak because of our lemonade stand. In the end the kids had a great time, and earned $10.75. Not to shabby, now the money is sitting while they decide what to spend it on.
The preparations for the big day
One of these signs said buy 10 cups get 1 free, ha ha.The source of all my stress - this salmonella dude

My favorite dads!

I'm feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have these two guys in my life.

This picture just makes me laugh so hard, my dad had never heard of the "self-take" picture. He was insistent on using the timer but on top of a mountain there aren't alot of places to set the camera.

These are from this past weekend when we went to visit them in California (post coming soon). My dad is an adventerous guy and Chris is always up for an adventure so it's a great combo. I don't think either one of them are afraid of anything.

I'll admit that I'm spoiled by these two. I can't imagine living life without them. Happy Father's Day to the two best Dads!!!

Veggin Out

I now know where the name came from.
The other night I told Chris that I just wanted to sit on the couch and veg out, sitting there doing nothing.
-and then these beauties came to mind

My first attempt at vegetable gardening. These Earth Boxes promised me great success. I was so eager and devoted to their cause from the begining, they grew so fast, making me feel so proud. It's been a few months now and no vegetables. I think they forgot to grow food. Their sitting there doing nothing, like me on my couch on a Saturday night. My gardening spirits have hit a low, this was my rookie year, this was a small attempt to boost my confidence so I could expand in summers to come. My friend already has vegetables, real life size ones that they can pick and eat. My "learn by experience" has not been a good experience. I've grown rather attached to these plants and they're letting me down. Hopefully I'll have good news, (good vegetables) to report on in the weeks to come.

Help Wanted!!

This is my personal classified ad. Seeking three eager and willing helpers to assist there mom around the house. Jobs are flexbile and change daily. Must not whine, drag their feet or complain about the fairness of the assignments. Even better would be if they recognized work that needed to be done without asking and just did it. Payment will come in the form of food, lodging, clothes, toys, entertainment, story time, pool time, etc.

If only, right?? My kids are getting to be stinkers about helping around the house. Lately the beef has been about fairness and the unequal distribution of workload. Until now, they've been given a daily list of jobs. Their attitude's is what really concerns me. After their token jobs have been done, they give me attitude if I ask anything else of them, like this:
me = "Hey, could you bring me one of Mallory's diapers?"
them = "I already finished with my work today."

me= "Hey sweetie, you left your dishes just sitting here on the table, you need to clear them off."
them = "Is that one of my jobs today?"

So I want this to be a fun summer, I don't want to be a nag, so I think we need to change things up. I'm just wondering the best way to do it. Should I not assign jobs and just have a work time frame where they have to work for a certain time, or assign jobs on a need done basis?
We finished some jobs the other day before heading to the pool. Charlotte asked if we're going to have to do work everyday before we can swim this summer, to which I answered probably. Her response was "I guess I won't be swimming everyday this summer."

I've got a few days left to get my summer game plan together, I'd love any suggestions and input.