Lemonade for a Cause

As a little girl, I remember mustering up a grand idea with a friend of mine.  We wanted to earn a little money for something.  I don't recall what it was for certain but I'm sure it had something to do with sugar... some candy maybe, who knows!   So, we did what any kid would do.  We set up a little table in front of my house, filled a pitcher with lemonade mix and water, grabbed some paper cups and set out to make us some moolah! 

Had I not lived in a cul-de-sac it might have turned out a little better.  We had a few customers but nothing compared to what we were hoping for.  But we were happy with our profits and I remember telling my mom that we had made some money.  She was unaware that we had even set out to do so.  After I told her of our plans to spend the money, she asked where her cut of money was. 

What?  My mom wants a cut of OUR hard earned money? 

My argument skills came out at that point and I told her she had no business taking any of the money we had earned.  Of course at my young age I didn't use words or phrases such as 'no business' or 'earned'.  I'm sure it was something like, "But Mommy, you don't get to have any of our money.  It's our money!  You can't have it.  That's not fair!!" 

She proceeded to explain that I had used her equipment and her powdered mix (and way too much of it!  Maybe we didn't know how to make lemonade...).  Those things cost money and she wanted to make sure that we understood that there's always overhead when running a 'business'. 

Ok, lesson learned.  She didn't make us pay up but we knew for next time that we had to think ahead and plan it out a bit better. 

Well, fast forward a few years (does 20 years or so count as a few?)....  here are my beautiful girls running their very own lemonade stand. 

 

But I have to say that their reason for raising the money is just a tad bit more noble than mine.  They aren't thinking of running down to the local market for a candy bar.  These cuties really want to take dance lessons.  Unfortunately, Anthony and I can't afford to put them in dance lessons so the girls needed an alternative to Mom and Dad for the opportunity.   My parents were kind enough to offer to pay half if the girls come up with the other half. 

I started out making Soda Pop Can Hair Bows to raise some money but the girls have always wanted to set up a lemonade stand so we figured, this is a great time and a great reason to get it going.  Each Saturday, they are out there selling away.  Surprisingly, after just three Saturdays, they've earned the money they need to get into dance for the whole summer (along with Grandma and Grandpa's contribution).  How cool is that? 

We helped make treats, the girls made felt hair bows and I made the soda can bows which sell out every time!  It's been so fun. 

I plan to put recipes up tomorrow for the treats we've made so far.  They are quick and easy.  You'll love them!