Animal Shelter. Again.

So, a month or so ago, Madeleine came up with the great idea to open an animal shelter.  I figured that, with time, the enthusiasm for this idea would fizzle out; however, Madeleine remains strongly attached to this plan and has even recruited friends from school in her crusade.  And guys.  She, like, really really literally thinks this is going to happen.  At a quartet rehearsal last night, to which we brought the kids, Madeleine sidled up to me to whisper an urgent question.

MADELEINE: Mommy?  How much does just a SMALL building cost to buy?
ME: Uh...a couple of million.

Madeleine was taken aback, but not deterred.  The plan is still on, folks.  And she is NOT backing down.  She and her friends plan ALL KINDS of fund-raising activities.

MADELEINE: So, Mommy, we need to plan days for baking AND for making things.
ME: Honey, you know that you won't be able to raise enough to buy a building with just a lemonade stand and a bake sale, right?
MADELEINE: Well, Mommy.  That's why I've got a lot of HEADS involved.  A lot of people from school are gonna help, and, like, if we get tired of bake sales, then we'll do CRAFT sales, and sell artwork we make.
ME: But sweetheart.  I don't think you can get the amount of money you'd need from those kinds of sales.
MADELEINE: No, Mommy, we have it all planned out!


I then tried a different tactic.

ME: So, you also have to think about the fact that you need to pay employees to work at the shelter.
MADELEINE: Oh, Mommy, we already figured that out.  That's why I have a lot of HEADS involved.  We're all gonna take turns taking care of the animals.
ME: But what about when you're at school?
MADELEINE: Well, if there are any grown-ups that don't have anything while we're at school, then maybe THEY can take care of the animals.
ME: But what if we're at work?
MADELEINE: Well Mommy.  Remember I made a sign that says "Open" or "Closed?"  So if no one is free, then we'll hang the "Closed" sign!

Oh, so we're just gonna abandon the animals when no one can work?  Or do we kick them out of the shelter when there are no "heads" available and then invite them back in once we're open again?

I guess I've changed my mind.  This plan seems pretty fool-proof after all.  Now let's all go sell five million dollars worth of lemonade!