6/15/10

Got up - no marshmallow for Hannah 1st thing this morning (well duh...after a night like last night there was NO WAY she was getting a marshmallow!).  We started the whole 'marshmallow' in the morning routine when they weren't sleeping/staying in their own beds.  If they slept in their own beds ALL night long then in the morning they would get one big marshmallow.  But that turned into staying in bed AND being good.  So when Hannah was told 'no marshmallow' with a reminder of how last night went - she replied 'But Hannah sleep in own bed all night.'  Ugh - really why does she have to be so smart?  But that didn't work - no marshmallow for Hannah.  One for Hailey & one for Emily...and it killed Pete and I.  But if we gave Hannah one - tonight wouldn't have been such a pleasure!  Because she sure was good tonight!  She even told Pete how she was going to be a good girl so she could have a big marshmallow tomorrow morning. 

And don't think for one minute that bribing rewarding our kids for sleeping in their beds is the only thing we do.  You see tonight they needed their toe nails cut.  Anyone with kids knows this is a dreaded task.  Tonight I told them they needed their toe nails cut after bath and right away it was a battle.  I had to come downstairs to get the clippers and I just happened to grab a handful of peanut butter chips on my way upstairs.  I wrapped them up in a napkin and walked in the room saying 'Look!  Mommy  has a surprise for whoever gets their toe nails cut!'  Well don't you know I had 6 little feet wiggling in front of my face while the 3 of them said 'ME FIRST!'  Hmmm...I might be on to something here.  So I cut Hannah's 1st.  She had her eyes on the prize and didn't move.  I then counted out FOUR peanut butter chips (ok...this is huge to them because usually they get just ONE).  Then Hailey got hers done (though she needed some help from Daddy.  She asked if he could hold her - she REALLY hates having her nails cut).  She got her 4 peanut butter chips and then it was Emily's turn.  Who knew life could be made so easy by purchasing a $3 bag of sugar?  

If it would only be this easy when they're 16.  "Please be home by 9:00 - maybe mommy will give you TWO big marshmallows!"

The girls did have a good day.  When I went to pick them up they were on their way back from the playground.  Shoes full of sand but they were happy as could be.