A Happier Post....
The kids had a Kool Aid Stand this morning with Noah, Nicole (8 yr old from two doors down), and Brandon (11 yr old four from doors down). They stationed themselves in front of Nicole's house b/c her driveway was in the shade and I told them they had to do it in the morning b/c I was not sitting outside in 90 degree temps in the afternoon. Although, when we ventured out at 9am to put up signs it was already a very humid and very sticky 85 degrees. Regardless, the kids had a great time. I got to actually talk to a few neighbors that I had only waved a hello to in the past. They sold cups of grape Kool-Aid and Crystal Light fruit punch for $0.25 a cup. They made $15 which divided by the five of them was $3 each. We are taking Em, Matt, Noah, and Brandon to DQ in about an hour so they can spend their hard earned money on ice cream. It was hot but it was fun for all of them. They had never done anything like this before. Matthew really liked jumping up and down on the side of the driveway with his sign (see pic) yelling "KOOL AID FOR SALE!! SUGAR FREE!!". Then when a car would stop he was real proud of hisself. Anyhow, here are a few pics from the sale. And a couple of pics of Matthew with the skateboard that his grandparents gave him for his birthday. It's been weird watching him practice the skateboard in the street b/c it reminds me so much of my brother at his age on his skateboard. Weird.
Edited to add: I don't remember my parents ever making my brother wear a helmet while skateboarding and I know that he never cracked his head open while skateboarding....but....I, on the other hand, do not trust the teenaged drivers that speed through our neighborhood so I make Matthew wear his bike helmet. He doesn't seem to mind, though. I guess it is b/c he is so used to putting his helmet when he rides his bike. That, makes me happy. 8-)