It really wasn't hard to earn that word of praise from my 10 yo.  It didn't matter to him that Mom was busy outside and didn't have the time to fix a fancy well-rounded meal after an afternoon of helping dh as we built part of the patio out back. 

All I had to say was, "Ice cream for dinner," and they were thrilled.  Don't worry, there was fruit involved as well...bananas!  We had a nice midday meal, and Sunday evenings are often a little lighter, as the kids like to swim later, while Mom and Dad either join them in the pool or work on garden or home improvements.  So Sunday evenings often entail fruit, string cheese, healthy snacks as they dry off and wind down.  But ice cream definitely hit a high note with this kid! 

And that patio?  Boy, am I sore from holding the ladder, lifting beams, and generally helping, but we got a LOT done, and in the heat of the summer, the shade it provides will be a tremendous blessing!