-FAMILY: Verdana">It was quiet in my house. The dog was sleeping, my daughter was at camp and my 11-year-old son, Lewis, and his friend, Will, were in the basement playing video games. I should have poured myself a glass of iced tea and stretched out on a chaise lounge. Instead, I made the boys turn off the television.

“Go play outside!!!” I yelled from upstairs. This is my mantra every summer and I repeat it often.

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-FAMILY: Verdana">Moments later, I heard them in the kitchen rummaging through the cabinets, opening the fridge and rooting through the pantry. I went to investigate.

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Every wineglass and water goblet was lined up on the counter; ice cubes were melting on the table and the kitchen looked like it had been ransacked by raccoons. Maybe video games aren’t so bad.

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-FAMILY: Verdana">“We want to have a lemonade stand,” my son said. “Can you take us to get supplies?”

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-FAMILY: Verdana">Impressed by their entrepreneurial spirit and pleased that they actually did turn off the TV, I agreed that if they clean up, I would drive them to the supermarket.

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-FAMILY: Verdana">At the store, I fork over $10. They trot across the parking lot and in moments, return with two cans of powdered lemonade-flavored drink mix, a tower of paper cups and $3.47 in change.

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