April 1st, 6:00 a.m.

“Grandma, are you awake?” my grandchildren, Owen and Ella (9 and 7 years old respectively) whisper.

I open my arms and they climb into bed with me. We cuddle and talk about what we are going to do during my visit.

“It’s April Fools Day today,” I remind them. “What if you, Owen, put on Ella’s clothes, and you, Ella, put on Owen’s clothes? Then Ella you only answer to your parents when they are talking to Owen, and you, Owen, only answer when they are talking to Ella?”  They thought this was hysterical, jumped out of bed, and ran to their room to get dressed.

I could hear them giggling and making plans;

• Ella: Owen, I’ll pay you $1 to wear my pajamas until noon.
• Owen: (who is always looking for ways to earn money) Okay.
• Ella: I’ll pay you another $1 to wear lipstick.
• Owen:  (very emphatically) Ella, I’m standing here wearing a pink onesie with unicorns. No.
• Ella: I’ll pay you $3 to wear a hair tie!
• Owen: No, I won’t go that far no matter what you pay me.

When their mom and dad got up and said something to Ella and Owen answered,  it took them a few seconds to register what the kids were up to. By the time they figured it out and showed appropriate surprise, Owen and Ella were rolling on the ground laughing hysterically.

After everyone settled down, I asked the kids to pose for a picture for me, which they willingly did, but…

• Owen: No posting on Social Media
• Ella: Yes, post it on Social Media!
• Me: Owen, I’ll pay you $1 if you let me post it on Social Media.
• Owen: …..thinking….
• Me: I’ll blur your face so no one will know it’s you.
• Owen: Okay
• Me: Well, if I have to blur your face, I should only have to pay 75 cents.
• Owen: $1 firm. Who else would even HAVE this opportunity?

So I agreed. His grandpa matched my offer, and Ella got the same amount just for being willing.

After payments had been made,  I saw Owen walk over to his Dad and whisper, “See Dad, this is WAY easier than doing chores to earn money!”