Yesterday Soledad (4) woke up with a really bad tummy ache.

So she couldn’t go to the last day of swimming lessons. It was water safety day and she was super bummed. Mr. Woo promised her a Frozen Strawberry Lemonade from McDonald’s if she didn’t whine and moan too much. So after lessons, I drove by Mickey D’s and purchased my baby her treat.

Happily she slippity slurps on her sweet frozen piece of heaven. The other three girls mope and moan at the injustice.

“It’s not fair. Every time I miss swimming lessons you don’t buy me a slush.” One complains.

“Well, maybe that’s because you haven’t missed lessons before.” I counter.

“Doesn’t matter.” Another one says. “Soledad always gets everything she wants. She is so spoiled.”

“No she doesn’t. And so are the three of you. Her belly is upset and she needs to keep down liquids.”

“Well whenever my belly hurts, you don’t give me anything. You barely give me water.”

“Alright,” I snarl. “And with THAT attitude, it really isn’t looking very good for you next time you’re sick.”

We pull into the driveway, and everyone gets out and heads to the kitchen for lunch.
I pull out the blender, and tell the girls to prepare their lunch. I start to prepare them a Lemon-Mint Slush.

Three of them hoot and holler, in awe of my greatness.

The fourth one, the sick one, throws a full out tantrum.

“What???,” her eyes teary, face turning red and all scrunched up in horror. “They? Get? A? Special Slush?”

“No baby. You got the special slush. You got the McDonald’s slush, that I had to pay for. They only get the one I am going to make for free.” I try to console.

“No Mommy! No! Their’s is more special! I want that one! You can’t even buy a Lemon Mint Slush! I want that one! It’s better, It’s better, It’s beeeettttteeeerrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!”

And whereas normally, I wouldn’t have encouraged that behavior, this time I just looked at that kid, and smiled, and smiled and smiled.

And you know why.

Because I am better than McDonald’s, that’s why. Take that, you red haired clown.
We let the Frozen Strawberry Lemonade melt on the counter.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Not to be tootin’ my own horn but ummm. . . .these slushes rock.

And so do I.
Toot. Toot.

And what makes them even more stellar, is that Mint has got a whole lot of health benefits.

• it aids in digestion
• the helps with nausea and headaches
• makes your breath smell better an helps in oral care
• has enzymes that may help cure cancer

Why don’t those little people recognize, I have this under control.
I’ve totally got this.
I think.

Lemon-Mint Slush

Ingredients:

40 leaves of mint, rinsed
1/2 cup plus 1 cup of water
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups ice

Directions:

1. Add mint leaves to blender. Pour in 1/2 cup of water. Blend until leaves are thoroughly minced and the water turns a shade of light green.
2. Add lemon juice and sugar, and blend for about one minute until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add ice, and remaining 1 cup of water and blend on high until slushy. Pour into glasses to serve. Put your feet up and enjoy the summer!