Christimas Coupons

The kids got some coupons in their stockings this year.  I kind of expected them to get lost and not get used but they have turned out to be a lot of fun.  James couldn't wait to use his...so cute because the other kids thought his were kind of dumb-one free extra hug and one extra book at bedtime.  He couldn't wait to use his extra hug-let me remind you this is my huger and kisser, he loves them, giving and getting.  It was just too cute tucking him in, saying prayers, giving him a hug and kiss then seeing him get a silly grin followed by him untucking himself, reaching in his nightstand and handing over his extra hug coupon for just one more.  He was so excited and had convinced Ron not to make him turn it in so he could use it on me as well. I wish I would have recorded the kids talking about their coupons-most exciting for the older ones talking about getting out of a chore, funniest was James chiming in with just as much excitement for his extra free book at bedtime followed by complete silence from the other kids.  I love little minds!
     Brayden informed me that he was saving his free chore day for a day when I make him do some horrible chore.  They are all going to use their free ice-cream cone together...for once in their life they planned and thought of each other, mostly because it had to do with food and they all get what they want.
     Becca had a free dinner-her choice.  She would spring it on me around 3pm so I had to make some stipulations...I felt kind of bad because there was supposed to be no small print!  Anyway one evening at bedtime she handed me a list and said it was her dinner request for the next day because she knew she would forget to give it to me that next morning.  This was her list...Strawberries shortcake, pineapple, Candy, Brownies, pies.  I had already assured her that if she got the list to me early I would redeem the coupon.....this was not the list I was excepting!  Well, it was quite the dinner-you should have seen every kids face, including Ron's when they all came to the table.  Funny thing was that they all survived, it was a ton of fun and they all slept well.  Sometimes it is fun not eating our vegetables!!

I have to be honest, that I did make a small dish of chicken and rice...that wasn't on the list.

 Andrea had a coupon for a baking date with mommy.  They had off on Martin Luther King day and she decided to turn it in.  Once again I found myself making restrictions...she wanted to do something with her mini-baker.  AGHHH  no thank you, we always end up working so hard then the end product is all of three bites.  This was a good substitute for her which everyone enjoyed.  I think they are happy with just about anything that has sprinkles.