Selling Ice to Eskimos...

Luke got this wacky idea in his head this summer that he wanted to have a balloon sale.  I am certain that this newfound entrepreneurial interest was driven by his desire to make money.  And why would a 7 year-old need money, you may ask?  Oh, because one particular 7 year-old has recently discovered/become obsessed with Pokemon trading cards, and his mean old mom won't buy unlimited packages of them.  This 7 year-old may have been told: "If you want Pokemon cards, I will take you to Target once a month and you can select a pack to purchase with your own money".   The 7 year-old (who still shall not be named) may have decided that instead of doing weekly chores, there must be a fast, easy way to make some cash... like selling empty water balloons.

Mark and I tried to dissuade Luke from this idea.  It was a terrible plan.  We live in a cul-de-sac, in a quiet neighborhood at the end of a dead end country road.  Traffic is not exactly booming.  We tried to explain the situation, had Luke brainstorm and write up a business plan, and gave him alternative options.  "How about lemonade, buddy?  It's hot outside.  At least that's something that people could use..."

  It was no use.  The kid was determined.  He convinced his trusty sidekick, "Me Too", to haul two chairs, a kid-sized tailgating table, and a toy cash register to the end of the driveway where they brought their wares, made a sign, and set up shop:

Mark and I took the requisite adorable pictures and smugly waited for Luke to realize that there was no way to make "easy money" selling an unusable product:  

And then something crazy happened.  People started flocking to Luke's stand and actually paid  for empty water balloons...!!

Orders started pouring in.  Neighbors swarmed out of their houses, friends bought balloons, and online text and e-mail orders were placed (Note: when you text grandparents the above picture, they will immediately purchase multiple items of whatever it is that their beloved grandchildren are selling: no matter what).  

Within 15 minutes, Luke had cleared over $20: MORE than enough for even the fanciest Pokemon pack.  We couldn't believe it.  I heard Mark mutter something about "selling ice to Eskimos."   We realized that we completely underestimated the selling power of two cute kids.  In an last ditch attempt to provide a teaching moment (and salvage our pride), we sat Luke down after the balloon sale and told him that every good employer does 2 things:  1). Pays his employees.... and 2) Tithes 10% of his income to church.  

Luke rolled his eyes at us, threw a wad of cash at Leah, and stuffed some money into his wallet for church offering, while he declared, "Sure.  I have PLENTY of money NOW."

   At least now we know that if college doesn't work out, maybe Luke has a future in the roadside stand business... and it's comforting to think that he will be able to financially support us in our old age with his hare-brained schemes.   

Always humbling to be a parent around here.  You just never know how wrong you are going to be sometimes... and what lessons YOU will learn each day!