My 8 and 10 yr old sons, along with our 11 yr old neighbor have decided that they are going to open their own business.  What exactly will this business be, you may ask.  They will “do stuff” for people.  Yes, that is the official description of their business.   They are so earnest about it.  Making flyers to hand out around the neighborhood, discussing their business strategy, planning things to spend their earnings on.  Especially the last one.  Oh they have plans, big plans.

We used to have a lawn service come and do our yard.  It was very affordable and efficient.  And best of all, I didn’t have to do it.  But, hello bad economy, I was forced to cut it from the budget.  But the boys?  They are very affordable and made me an offer that I simply could not resist.  Okay, maybe a lot of it had to do with their begging, pleading, and adorable puppy dog eyes.

So, earlier this week I hired the trio to mow my lawn.  Front, back, and around the edges with the weed whacker.  They were positively giddy with excitement and set off with a level of enthusiasm that would have made it worth the money even if the job they did wasn’t perfect.

They surprised me.  First they discussed who would do what and formulated a game plan. 

You pick up all of the toys in the yard and put them in the garage.  You get a garbage bag and pick up all the papers and trash.  (Not sure why my children think it is acceptable to throw their popsicle wrappers and sticks in the yard, but they do.)  Then you mow the front lawn.  He will mow the back lawn. You weed whack while all of the mowing is going on.

Then they followed through on their plan.   My lawn looked good when all was said and done, or at least it looked better than it did in its previously over grown state.  And I do not think I have ever seen anyone as happy to have earned $3 as they were ($3 each, by the way)