Lily and Emmy began planning their big venture weeks ago. They consulted their dad and me on pricing, decided what hours they would work, and made a sign. They even made a list of supplies they would need.
Since they did all their planning so far in advance, I completely forgot about their lemonade stand until we were walking home on the last day of school. It was an early dismissal that day, so we were heading home early. They started talking about what they needed to do to set up the stand when we got home. “Mom,” they said, “You need to make the lemonade!”
In my own little head, I was imagining a picnic lunch with my two little girls, with the whole afternoon spread out before us and nothing to do. “Alright,” I sighed. “I’ll make the lemonade. After we eat lunch.”
“Mom! We’re opening at 1:00! We don’t have time to eat lunch!”
What? No time for lunch? Didn’t they remember how crabby I get they get when they don’t eat?
As I reluctantly dug a forgotten tube of concentrated lemonade from last summer out of the freezer, I wondered how long they would last out on the driveway waiting for someone to come buy their lemonade. I imagined I would be their only customer, and it was a long time before their father would come home to buy a cup. It wouldn’t take long before they would get bored out of their minds and lose interest in the whole thing.
Lily and Emmy soon had everything they needed. They had a tablecloth, napkins, cups, and change. After I delivered their fresh lemonade to them, I went into the house.
Imagine my surprise when Emmy ran inside just a couple of minutes later, letting the screen door slam behind her, yelling, “Mom! We had our first customer!” Our neighbor across the street had just bought a cup. I went outside to thank her, and we joked that I would have to put her dollar in a frame for the girls’ business.
As the afternoon wore on, some very generous people stopped to buy a cup. Lily and Emmy learned that setting their low price of 25 cents a cup paid off. The adults told them to keep the change, and the middle school kids that kept riding by on their bikes were willing to pay a quarter. In the end, they sold out and made $8.00. They excitedly split their earnings in half and were very pleased with themselves. I, on the other hand, was surprised by many things that afternoon. The girls had followed through on their plan, and it paid off!
Ok, your girls are absolutely adorable and seriously smiled seeing their picture above. Great job to both of them!!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…The Pin It Party – Week 57
Aw, thanks Janine! I think they are pretty adorable, too!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Come and Buy Our Lemonade!
This brings back so many memories of my neighborhood lemonade stand! Thanks for sharing.
Rachel recently posted…Nothing, If Not Honest
I never had a lemonade stand, so I’m living vicariously through them, I guess!
So sweet!! I love their duet. What sweet girls you have!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…FarFaria Story App {Review and Giveaway}
Thank you! That duet was rather cute…other times they just make a racket!
You know, that’s something that I never did as a child and I always wanted to! I’ll have to make it a priority with the kids when they get a little older. That jingle is adorable!
Crissy recently posted…Probably lost in the retelling
I never had a lemonade stand when I was little, either. It was a great experience for my kids and for me!
That’s so awesome. We have around 200 strawberry plants in our garden so I always say we should sell them by the pint on the side of the road. And by “we” I mean Scarlet.
She’d make some money!
tamaralikecamera recently posted…Love is a Battlefield.
Oh, yes, Scarlet could definitely make some money! Now if it were me selling lemonade and not the girl, there would have been no profit at all!
Absolutely too cute!!! And congratulations to the girls for their successful venture!
Janice recently posted…Bougainvillea
Oh my goodness, you have the cutest children! I loved the smiles and the enthusiasm and the cooperation between the two. You and your hubby have done a wonderful job.
What a wonderful surprise it was for you all. Great story!
Jenny recently posted…Giant Spider Web
Who could have resisted that sales pitch? What a great lesson for them. Beautiful and entrepreneurial!
May recently posted…Wait Until Your Father Gets Home
That’s great! This teaches them valuable lessons on earning money. Great job girls!
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…My Next New Year’s Goal – Ride For Roswell!
I love how the girls made a plan and stuck to it! Love their lemonade stand jingle too. We had a lemonade stand when we were kids too but I just didn’t have the patience to sit outside in the sun waiting for customers.
Jeanne recently posted…Feeling A Bit Nostalgic