My kids are full of surprises and strawberries (& a kick ass strawberry lemonade recipe)

I ❤️ strawberry picking. Actually any picking for that matter. There’s just something about paying more and doing the manual labor that makes the fruit taste that much better. JK. But really, there’s nothing better than a sun ripened strawberry picked right off the vine.

And I found the perfect day for it. Warm, sunny, kids have a half day. But than reality sets in….do I really want to take four kids, put a sweaty baby in a backpack carrier, drag them to a field in 90 degree sun, and force them to pick fruit? And then hear the complaining that ensues? No, I don’t. But I really want a cinnamon donut from Lyman’s Orchard. Like, really want one. So much so that I’m willing to endure the torture described above. This is my internal struggle.
So the donut wins and I resolve to take them. Now, clearly I don’t have very high expectations of this adventure. In fact, I know it’s going to be a shit show and I am going to regret it as soon as we get there.

But to my surprise, it turns out to be the opposite. They had a great time, made a competition out of picking, ate more than their body weight in strawberries, and I don’t think I even heard one complaint. The donut was amazing and I’m going to consider this a success. I think the key with kids is to have no expectations. And then be pleasantly surprised when it turns out like it did for us. 

And since they were strawberry picking machines, I had to figure out what to do with all of these 🍓before they rot on my counter. First night, strawberry shortcake. Next up, strawberry lemonade. Easy and if you add alcohol, even better 😉. 

Kick-ass Strawberry Lemonade

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

2 cups strawberries (stems removed)

Juice from 6 lemons

6 cups water

1. Boil 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar until sugar is fully dissolved

2. Purée 2 cups strawberries in a food processor or blender

3. Mix together sugar mixture, puréed strawberries, and lemon juice. Add to pitcher along with ice and 6 cups of water

*for a mommy version, I added vodka, again, measuring for how well my day went…😳