“Daddy, can we please buy this bag of Dove chocolates?”, Sarah asked.

“No, we can’t. But you can, if you have money”, I replied.

Sarah put on her best pout, “But my money is at home.”

“Next time you’ll remember to bring it then.” Mom chimed in.

The banter went on for a few minutes, as Sarah is quite serious when it comes to getting what she wants, especially when it is chocolate. The cost of the bag was close to 5 bucks. Mowing the lawn yields her 5 bucks. Mommy suggested that if we were to succumb to her pleas that she would owe us not a quick and easy 5 bucks from her stash when we got home, but rather equity in her sweat later on in the week.

As I watched Sarah mow the lawn today, I thought of a couple of things, the most poignant of which was “I don’t have to mow the lawn!”. I smiled quite sheepishly at the idea as it sank into my freshly shaven head. (Trish obliged to shear my head once again, as it was becoming a bit too “Chia-pet-ish”).

Another thought I had was just how much Sarah loves her chocolate. I like chocolate. A lot. But there’s something about it that will drive females to go to great lengths to get chocolate in their mouths. I must always remember this newfound leverage! (grinning again!). I think my truck is long overdue for a good cleaning, inside and out. Now there’s something ALL the kids can do to help. What shall I use on the boys for leverage? Usually they will do anything for videogame time, so that’ll probably work. Again.

Here’s to a clean truck by week’s end!

Josh

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