My daughters, age 5 & 4 wanted to build a Lemonade Stand. Several other kids have done it on our street and we have a Lemon Tree in our side yard. Great Idea!

I am an advocate of Water $mart Eco Detailing, but I also embrace the expression “Vote Every Day”. This concept is one that uses the American right to free speech, and the Constitutional Right to make choices. Vote Every Day is a concept that encourages one to go to the local coffee house, and ask the owner what green practices they have.  What happens is that the owner becomes aware that their customer base is making decisions on sustainable practices, and the person asking the questions gains valuable knowledge about sustainable and green practices that can be applied to their business and everyday life.

So my kids are often with me when I Vote Every Day! When my wife asks the kids where I am, sometimes they say … he’s over there talking to that man about saving the earth … or, he’s on the phone … again.

So I did not know what my kids would say when I told them that we would build a Lemonade Stand and that we needed to use recycled stuff to build it. Then I asked them if they knew what recycling was … after a little pause, they both said they did. I asked them to tell me what it meant. They looked at each other and then said “OK, we can show you”. One came back with a Picture Frame that they made out of Popsicle sticks for Father’s Day. They other came back with a Yogurt bowl, cover and spoon. The night before, she and her sister wanted to make some music, so she recycled the yogurt stuff by shoving the spoon through the base, and that made music to my ears!

Although I have had failed experiments like the time I brought home a composting bin, some of my efforts worked. It was a proud parent moment to see your kids be able to be so happy telling you something and expressing a desire to do something together with you. We worked on a drawing and talked about where we will get the materials to build the Lemonade Stand. We talked about the sign, and my wife chimed in with her marketing knowledge “It is not a display unless you have a price on it!” A true family project … now all we need is a company name!

It was refreshing and exhilarating. I did not have to here “just another chance to be taxed”. Or I did not have to explain my position on climate change. Proves my theory that the best investment of time and energy is in the next generation.

I also hope that sharing this story can provide some energy and ideas of how to make this whole green thing more than just a business decision and offer some creativity of how to truly enjoy doing it.

Vote Every Day!