Cashing it all in....

Our family finished reading the Book of Mormon for the second time and we told the kids we would celebrate by spending a night a Starr Pass.  It is an upscale local resort with a fun water park and pool.  Unfortunately, we reached our goal in September and had to wait all winter for the weather and our schedules to align.  Finally, we were able to book a night the weekend after school ended.

Although I did get in and play several times, this was my view most of the time.  

While we waited to cash in on Starr Pass, the kids were busy with other incentives.  We had two jars, one happy, one sad.  If the kids were caught being kind, and going out of their way to be peacemakers, they would get a marble in the happy jar.  If there was arguing that got out of hand, a marble went in the sad jar.  Our arguing had gotten out of hand and I was feeling more like a referee than a mother.  This was my plan to get it under control.  Whichever jar filled up first won.  If it was the sad jar; major chore project.  If it was the happy jar; the family could go out to dinner together.  Honestly, I think it was helpful.  Initially.  The kids were looking for ways to earn a happy marble and were quick to be quiet when I threatened them with a sad marble.  However, eventually, it became a game for show.  They would only do good things if I was watching.  But, we kept plugging along and the happy jar pulled ahead with a solid win.  Since I knew Starr Pass was coming up, I told the kids they could use our dinner out while we were there.  This meant they could splurge and order lunch by the poolside. 

So, the kids cashed both prizes in on the same weekend and we all had a grand time!