They had plans.
They had signs.
They needed stuff.
So we sat down as a family to have a chat about these plans.
When we first started out...
They were going to sell lemonade, candy, cookies, and water...with their little friends next door.
They had signs that said "Cheap!"
They needed lemonade, cups, candy, cookies, popsicles, water, and change...from us.
"Well, we need to stop and think about this carefully and plan. We need to be smart about this. When were you thinking about having this stand?" asked Mr. Moderator.
"We thought tomorrow...or the next day." replied one of the workers.
"Who is we?" asked Mr. Mood-killer. "Our friends, L and G, and all three of us. We thought we'd make posters to wear on our backs...or stick signs in the yards. We made some signs already." was the reply. "Well, the more people involved...the harder it is to make a decision and get something done. Who is going to supply the lemonade, cups, candy, cookies, popsicles, water, and etc.?"
"You!? And L and G said their Mom would too," was whispered.
"Oh...and how much are you going to charge?" asked Mr. Realistic.
"Um...$.25 for lemonade, $.75 for cookies, $1.00 for water, $.25 for popsicles, and $.57 for candy." explained the oldest worker.
"Ok...let's do some figuring...Mom, how much does a container of lemonade, package of cups, water bottles, box of popsicles, and supplies to make cookies cost...approximately?"
asked the moderator.
"Including packaging for the cookies...about $8.00 to $10.00...is my best guess." I reported. "As a grown-up...I don't think I am willing to buy hot lemonade in open air cups from little kids...and I am not sure other people would be either...we need to think about that too."
"In order for you to break even...that means...pay yourself back after buying your supplies...you will have to sell about 45 cups of lemonade. Where do you plan on setting up shop?"
Mr. Realistic continued.
"Just out in front...we thought the guys from WG who walk would buy something." the hopeful workers explained. "And then there are lots of kids on our street."
"It is going to be hard not to eat and drink what you are trying to sell! I really don't know that 45 people will walk by our house."
You could hear the dreams of their lemonade stand being squashed as they let their breath out in a
collective sigh.
And then came a reasonable plan by Mr. Let's Face Real Life...a plan...
"Dad and Mom won't be putting up the money for this! You may, all three, work together and use your spending money to buy and then sell some bottled beverages and perhaps cookies and/or brownies at the garage sale. There will be more traffic...the garage sale is for three days...and you need to ask permission from Grandma first."
Hope filled their eyes...chatter began once again.
"I didn't have the heart to cover the whole idea of taxes, utilities, gas, space rental, or tithing tonight. Being in business isn't all that it is cracked up to be! But I think this may be a better plan for them...and they won't get too discouraged." said Mr. Dream Squasher Then Builder.
"I'm just glad that I wasn't going to have to go out and buy a cup of lemonade that had been sneezed in...'cause you know that's what Moms have to do!" I said. "I would have liked to see Teddy riding up and down the street with signs on his back...you know they got that idea from Lucy!"
**This is based on a true story...just a couple weeks back. The role of Mr. Moderator/Mood-killer/Realistic/Let's Face Real Life/Dream Squasher Then Builder all played by Dad. The role of I played by Mom. Children filled the roles of youngest to oldest workers. The dramatic ending has yet to be written...next week.**
