The Little Red Hen and the California Wave House

I need to preface this next blog with the story of the Little Red Hen.  Remember that one?  My favorite children's story and one that I repeat constantly to my own. 

There once was a little hen who had some chicks. One day, she wanted to bake some bread. So she invited the animals on the farm to help her plant the seeds, water, harvest, and grind the wheat to bake the bread.

However, each animal declined to help with the project so she and her chicks did all the work.

When it came time to eat the bread, all the farm animals eagerly waited for their portion.  But did the wise little hen offer her precious loaf of bread to them?  Nope. She and her little chicks devoured the whole thing right in front of them.

So what does this story have to do with the California Wave House?  Well, there once was a little mother who, with her flock of children, agreed that the next family trip to California would be one that everyone would have to earn.  (Because the little mother was getting tired of the children only wanting to do the fun things with the family but not do any of the work or take care of their responsibilities).  So, for the next two months, three of the four children worked diligently in making sure their rooms were clean, piano was practiced, and homework done without any nagging from their little mother. However, at the "end of the day", just like one of those farm animals who refused to help out with the chores thinking they'd get a slice of the loaf of bread anyway, one of those four sweet children had not kept his end of the bargain and therefore did not earn the priviledge of going on the trip.

So, in the following pictures you will see only three of the four children having the time of their lives in this most fun and anticipated activity. And thanks to Aunt Amy, who most generously gave each child Christmas money to pay for their tickets, did they have the best time ever.

(And as the fourth child? Well, so far...no missing assignments, test scores are up, bedroom is immaculate, and he just finished practicing the piano and has headed out the door to Mutual. Hmmm, that wise little hen knew what she was doing after all!)

Bran-man, we love you!  You'll get it...just hang in there!

(And like Bishop Burton said his his talk this last conference, these life lessons are more agonizing for the parents than they are for the child.  Boy is that ever true!  But, I know he'll thank me for it one day!)