day 78: "i am thankful for......BRIBERY!"

....because it works!  i have been using bribery with my boys since day 1.  when they were babies, i would say "if you lay still so mommy can put your diaper on, you can have one more hour of barney!"...and when they were toddlers, i would say "if you get in the car, mommy will give you a lollipop!"...and with now ages 9 and 12 i have to be a little more creative.

today, i came up with a new bribery technique.  i handed each of my boys 2 empty garbage bags.  i told them i was about to bake chocolate chip cookies (and they LOVE my cookies) and in order to eat any, they had to fill up their bags, 1 for garbage, 1 for goodwill.  i scooted them into their rooms, closed the door, and started baking.  one hour later, cookies were baked, bowls licked clean (by the dog) and still no sign of the boys!  they were working hard....yes!

finally, after a few more minutes, and the smell of chocolate luring them into the kitchen, they emerged with both bags in their hands, and clean rooms.  i was so happy not only because they listened and quickly got to work, but because they now have clean rooms and full bellies.  yes, we all had desert before dinner tonight....but, that is one of the things that make life fun, isn't it? :)

here are my two hard working boys with their hard earned bribe cookies!

my two very silly boys

.....so, what are you especially thankful for today?!