vitamin water

Like all new parents I had this whole parenting thing planned out in my head. Avery would be sleeping through the night by six months, he would be able to clean his room and dress himself by 10 months and would be able to make his own dinner (and mine) by the age of 1.

**Sound familiar? Some of you have already heard this story so feel free to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom**

But as most things go, those plans went out the window almost immediately. I mean, my cute four year old was just running up and down the hallway at the blasted hour of 2am last night – reason still unknown. Playing a game is the only way he will “help” clean his room or get dressed and although he likes to cook a lot…well, I wouldn’t wait around for dinner anytime soon.

So even all these wonderful plans went by the wayside, there was one thing that I planned to do with my kids and that was to never lie to them.

Now, before you get all har-umphy – it’s true. I truly believe that if you are honest with your kids, they will have no reason to lie to you either.

Yes, I realize I say this as a new-ish mom.

Yes, my kid is only four.

Yes, “just wait until they are teenagers” I hear you screaming.

But it has worked just fine for us so far and has even been put to the test a couple of times. I have asked Avery a question and he wants to lie to me so badly, you can see it on his face…and all I say is, “mommy has never lied to you and I never will, and I expect you to tell me the truth too, even if it’s bad” – and he tells me the truth. Even if it’s bad.

So now you are probably thinking I’m all high and mighty about not lying to my kid and here’s where I tell you I totally and completely lied to him about two years ago and I think the jig might be up.

Whaaaat??

I know. It’s true.

Not so high and mighty over here.

About two years ago we bought our house and the house came with a neighborhood, as most houses do. And one day, as we were innocently playing in the backyard, this neighborhood started playing music.

Seriously. Music was playing – a funny little tune, very similar to the circus music that I often refer to on this site – and it was getting louder and louder as it got closer to our house. Even though I grew up in the country and not in a neighborhood, I instantly knew what that music was and I tried to usher a then two year old Avery into the house asap and hopefully before he heard the tune. But being of sound mind and ears, he totally heard the music and innocently asked me, “Mama, what’s that music?”

And I lied. Right then and there. The mom who will never lie to her kids….LIED.

I said, “Oh that’s the music truck. It comes through the neighborhoods and plays pretty music to make everyone happy. Isn’t that nice?”

“Yes,” said Avery, “that’s nice.”

And we went on with our day. Crisis averted. Or so I thought. Because wouldn’t you know that the dag-nabbed ICE CREAM TRUCK rolls through our neighborhood EVERY FREAKIN’ DAY at 4pm on the dot. You know, so it can play some pretty music for the neighborhood (and get secretly flipped-off by yours truly!)

So, as you can imagine, every day that we are anywhere near outside…the front door…an open window…and that truck rolls, by I hear a sweet and innocent little boy pipe up with, “Mama! The music truck is here!”

I of course REALLY hear, “Mama! You are such a liar!” And then he runs outside to watch and wave at the truck as it drives past our house.

——–> GUILT. GUILT. GUILT. <——–

And then fast forward two years… (seriously, it’s been two years of this almost everyday…penance….) and Avery and I are outside at exactly 4pm (you think I would have learned by now) and one of the kids in the neighborhood rolls up to the music/ice cream truck and tries to order an ice cream. RIGHT IN FRONT OF AVERY!!! Egad! I was all a-fluster wondering what the heck I would say when Avery figured out that this dang truck had the goods – when, phew! Somehow there was no ice cream or whatever that kid was ordering was not on the truck as he rolled away empty handed and Avery continued to wave innocently to the ice cream truck driver.

(Side note, I am just sitting here wondering what the heck the truck driver must think about Avery and I – the only kid who doesn’t drop everything and run straight for him but instead stands and waves and smiles as his mom looks on in horror…)

And then just today…dang it…our little neighbor bff was over at – say it with me “4pm” – when the truck rolls through. Of course all the doors and windows are open because it’s June and it’s hot and here comes the music, floating through the house. I freeze instantly and watch the boys.

M says, “Yay it’s the ice cream truck!” And Avery replies, “No, it’s the music truck!” Which is followed by, “it’s the ice cream truck!” And, yes, I’m still quite frozen and now realize I am actually holding my breath while the battle of ice cream vs music goes on for what seems like three hours but it really three seconds as now the music fades and something shiny caught the boys eyes and they are off doing something else and I can, again, breathe.

For now. Because in 24 hours it will be 4pm again and

——–> GUILT. GUILT. GUILT. <——–

But what’s not guilty is this homemade vitamin water (bada-bing!) and I have been trying to drink more water because (1) it’s so hot, (2) I’m working out every day in a desperate attempt to get my summer body by fall (ha), and (3) I guess because it’s good for you and all that…but dang it! Water is boring!!

So in an effort to make water consumption more exciting I put together these little vitamin waters. It’s just water and fruit. Any fruit. Mix them up or just use one, but the secret to getting the very best and tasty vitamin water is to let these babies do some fridge time. Grab some jars, water bottles, your gym bottle, whatever has a lid…slice up some of your very own fruit and toss it inside, then cover with water, put a lid on it and set it in the fridge. You don’t have to leave them there forever – even just 20 minutes will have an amazing effect on getting some of that delicious fruity taste into your water.

I usually make up five mason jars at a time – and even refill them a couple of times after drinking the water before either eating (bonus!) or tossing the fruit once the flavor is all gone. The kids and the hubs love it and we take turns making up our favorite combinations to share with each other.

Happy drinking and don’t lie to your kids!

xo,

Jenn