Jelly Beans

Chicken has been in this phase lately where he runs away and hides when it's time to change his diaper....not fun.  So this morning after really not wanting to chase him again, I resorted to the classic, reliable parenting technique:  bribery.  With jelly beans. My kids are pretty obsessed with jelly beans (what kid isn't?) and Daddy had stocked up on them while I was out of town.

Me:  Chicken, time to change your diaper.
Chicken:  Okay!  (and then he runs away)
Me:  Chicken, if you go lay down on the floor and let me change your diaper I'll give you jelly beans.
Chicken:  Okay!  (this time he complies)

I give him one jelly bean.

Chicken:  Mmmm, gum??
Me:  Yep I think that was the bubble gum flavor.  You'll get another one when we are done.
Chicken:  I wanna geen (green) one!
Me:  Okay, when we are finished.
Edee:  I want one!
Me:  Clean up the dishes and you can have one.

She does.  We finish the diaper change. They surround me jumping up and down for the jelly beans as I get ready to deal out the goods.

Me:  What color did you want again?
Chicken:  ALL A 'DEM!  ALL A DEM!!!!!
Edee:  Yeah!  All of dem!

Now that I'm thinking about it,  I recall it was green that Chicken wanted.  They each ran off with two extra jelly beans than originally bargained for.....somehow they always have the upper hand, especially when I start patting myself on the back for my parenting skills....