The beach trip was an eye-opening experience in how much help young-uns can be around the house. When we went to the store, the kids unloaded the groceries. When it was time to clean up after dinner, the kids rinsed of the dishes and put them in the dish washer. When it was time to leave, the kids packed up all their stuff, cleaned up the rooms in which they had been staying and generally did whatever was necessary to get out of the beach house and head home.

There was no grumbling or complaining and the work got done much quicker than if the kids had not been helping ... even if we had to do a few "do-overs" now and then. Also, the "do-overs" were to be expected ... after all, the kids were not well trained in helping out and it was a learning experience for us all.

I vowed to keep the pressure on at home once the beach trip was over. The Jungle Boys were going to earn their stay at the house and I was planning big things when we got back. Summer would be starting soon and there was yard work to do and a deck that needed some paint. Big changes were in store.

Oh ... I almost forgot to let y'all know that the Millionaire-Want-A-Be (MWAB) was able to make it down to the beach. He arrived two days after us ... after all the supplies were unpacked and put away. He stayed for a few days and then left one evening to go back to his place ... the night before we started cleaning up the house to go home.

Some things never change.

God Bless America.

Enjoy!