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<\/a><\/p>\nBig, on the other hand, was always at home.\u00a0 Converting his room into a workshop and deconstructing any spare, broken, or unattended electronics in his quest to construct a bionic hand and realistic weaponry for a cyborg costume this fall.<\/p>\n
I’m sure there was some learning going on in there.\u00a0 It was just all beyond my understanding.\u00a0 And his dog, Orion, lucked out.\u00a0 Because since there was obviously not much sleeping going on during late nights of inventing and engineering was overflowing onto the bed….<\/p>\n ….there was much lazing around on the couch during the day.<\/p>\n My biggest attempt to teach the kids anything at all during summer break turned out to be a bit of a bust.\u00a0 When I received a notice that there was going to be a kids’ vendor day at a a nearby farmers market, I figured it was a great opportunity for the kids to learn about earning and spending, expense and profit.\u00a0 Pretty and the boys took over the garden and chicken chores for a month so that they could sell eggs, herbs, vegetables, and flowers.<\/p>\n Big enlisted my dad’s help to create a display board for his thriving paracord survival bracelet business.\u00a0 And he added some necklaces and lanyards to expand his offerings.<\/p>\n They set up among their fellow vendors….<\/p>\n ….and let the selling begin.<\/p>\n Or, should I say, the buying?\u00a0 Because as soon as they made a sale, they took turns rushing off to buy things.<\/p>\n Middle bought rice krispies treats.<\/p>\n Big and Pretty both purchased pizza pretzels.<\/p>\n Little got all of the above, plus a tie dyed t-shirt.<\/p>\n At least the face painting was free.<\/p>\n So he loaded up on that.<\/p>\n At the end of the market, Big was the only one with much profit to show.\u00a0 Pretty and Middle each had a dollar and some change.\u00a0 And Little was 35 cents in the hole.\u00a0 I’m pretty sure that all I taught them that day was, “Easy come, easy go.”\u00a0 And maybe even, “Farming doesn’t pay.\u00a0 Get a real job.”<\/p>\n We tried to shake off our losses by strolling through the adjacent college campus.\u00a0 I figured the only way to salvage any lesson from the farmers market was to promote higher education.\u00a0 And the regular paycheck and insurance benefits that go along with it.\u00a0 The kids had never been to a private university before and they were amazed at the tree-lined walkways….<\/p>\n impressed with the stately buildings and manicured lawns….<\/p>\n thrilled with the fountains….<\/p>\n enchanted with the endless corridors….<\/p>\n and fascinated by the age and history of the buildings.<\/p>\n When they discovered the lake….<\/p>\n and its friendly swan….<\/p>\n they were gushing, excitedly, “This place is incredible!!\u00a0 Why wouldn’t anyone want to go to college??!!!”<\/p>\n “Just remember that when you’re doing your schoolwork,” I lectured. “Getting into college takes hard work and commitment.”<\/p>\n And I congratulated myself on a job well done as we strolled back into town for an ice cream cone at the weekly street festival….<\/p>\n relaxed in front of Big Something,<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n