White beans and black beans

Have you ever had that moment when you realize that everything is out of control and it's time to put your foot down?

Popeye had that moment yesterday.

I know that it's more common than not that families bicker and fight on Sunday mornings. But we've been bickering and fighting more than just Sundays. We feed off each other, it seems. And it snowballs. Kinda like a bar fight in Podunk-ville - everyone wants a piece of the action. Popeye was fed up yesterday. On the way home from church he said, "As soon as we get home, everyone go sit on the living room couch." Uh huh. Apparently Popeye was just a teensy upset - because he doesn't do this. Ever.

So we sat down and he lectured us on our attitudes and behavior and how it WILL stop or there will be absolutely no Christmas in the Royal Household. THAT got the kids' attention. So after some brainstorming, we came up with a solution.

Beans. White and black to be exact. White beans for good behavior. Black for bad. The more white beans, the more presents (or more expensive the present) at Christmas. Black beans are for atrocious behavior: i.e. using words like hate, kill, stupid, etc... and fighting with extremities or "weapons". For little tiffs and arguments, it's just less white beans. But black beans have to seriously be worked off if you want it taken out of your jar.

The kids are all over this. They all woke up this morning happy, got dressed & beds made without asking. Mr. Fantastic even traded Princess Monkey Eyes his breakfast plate just to keep the peace. Who knew that rewarding good behavior would lead to such peace?

In this house, it's all about the beans.