TO DO LIST

So many thoughts going through my mind. Do you ever have that? Where you know you have alot to do, don't really know what, until you write it all down. So here I am, writing it down so first thing in the morning, I know what needs to be done.
-Cook food for Tuesdays luncheon for 30 people
-cook food for Andys hunting trip
-Clean the blue room
-mow the lawn
-stain the back deck before the rain returns
-get the house ready for the coupon class on Thursday
-pay bills
-set-up hair appt. and doctors appointment
-Buy mouse traps (I just saw a mouse in my kitchen.)...not good
-setup photoshoot time for 2 people

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT FINANCES

 A lemonade stand is a great way to teach kids about running a buisness. It involves advertising, customer service, good location, and a great product. This is where you teach them about earnings and profit (in other words, you have to pay for the supplies first, before you count your profit.) But formost, it teaches that in society, you can make money and earn it if you try.

My kids have a facination with running a lemonade stand. All summer long I have heard them ask "Mom, can we have a lemonade stand today?" My answer was always no because I just didn't have the time to sit down and explain everything that goes into it. However, with this awesome fall weather that feels like summer, they got another chance.

We set up the lemonade stand. It was at a really good location on the main road. The recipe had real lemons and and was presented in a really nice dispenser.
The price per cup was 1.00 for a 12 oz. red cup. They started the sale at 4:30 the first day. Before long, people were coming left and right. There were numerous people that bought 4 cups. After 2 hours, they sold 32.00 worth of lemonade!

...so we did it again the next day.
The next day, same scenario. Except this time, 2 neighborhood boys came to help. After 2 hours, they sold every last drop of lemonade. They made 30.00 this day.

All together in 2 days, 2 hours each day, they earned 62.00! Who would have thought lemonade would be such a money maker. I didn't. But I guess if you plan it out right, anything could sell.

Other favorites from Merenci.

Here are some of my favorite moments in Merenci before heading to Chandler, AZ.

THE BEGINNING OF JULY

Did you miss me? I figured it was time to write since my life has somewhat slowed down. July was...hmmm, whats the word I want to use...a tornado. A storm you see coming but cant stop it and then after the storm leaves, it still rains a little before it stops. Yes, a tornado.

MOVING
So, it all starts June 28th when we got the keys to our new house. I wont go into too many details but to say cleaning for 2 days straight and moving is no fun. Then the night of the 29th, we had our walk through with the landlord. It was pretty ridiculous when he pulled out his flashlight and started shinning it on the walls to see if there were any nail holes. And this was only 5 minutes into it. So, the walk through lasted 10 minutes before we walked out. We then watched Treys last baseball game which was so close that it went into overtime for 4 innings before the Royals lost the game. Great Game...That night we had to pack for the trip which consisted of rummaging through boxes to find things needed. Colton didn't sleep much that night either...

June 30th, 4am. Head to the airport.
8am: Get on the plane. Sit on the plane for 1 1/2 hours...just to get off and wait until 10am because the plane was broke. Flying with 4 kids is a journey in itself...and then throw in delays. (Personally, I think my kids did better than most adults. ) Eventually, we did get off, headed for Phoenix. The next morning, we got up and Drove to Merenci, Arizona.

MERENCI, ARIZONA
Merenci is this small mining town where Andys family on his moms side lives. I hadn't ever met this side of his family. Let me tell ya, I now know where Andy gets his redneck side from. The houses we went to had animal mounts all over the walls, not a spot empty.These 2 guys are Uncle Harry (Top), and Uncle George. They are the hunters. Along with Andy...
At the barbeque, I sat through 5 hours of hunting stories. I actually enjoyed it when Colton would cry so I could go inside and nurse him. They are great people, I just don't think I'm THAT country. I still have city girl in me...

The next day we took a drive to the creek. Im thinking "Oh, a creek. Sounds like fun. A short drive down the road." Well, we started driving...
and the drive didn't end.
Up the mountain, around the corner,
far out until you see nothing but hills. 2 hours later, we see this sign following a dirt road that said another 22 miles.
What! I was starting to wonder what was so spectacular about this nice, flowing creek.After a while Andy and I had them stop at a stream running through a road.

We never did make it to the creek, but it sure was a nice time to stop with 80 degree weather outside. Great spot for a picnic and a little swim...in the road.
I appreciated the great hospitality from Andys family. We went to breakfast at a cafe every morning and visited in the evenings. The grandparents held Colton and enjoyed every second of it.
It was all very relaxing and a good time to unwind and let the kids run. Then, back on the road with all the kids in hand... Headed to Chandler, AZ for 2 days.