trying to keep smiling: quick trick, candy countdown

After taking care of three on-and-off sick kiddos for the last three weeks, and after a crazy week of Halloween parties and craziness, I was finally hit with the bug yesterday.

From my bedroom, I could hear Maddy, Owen, and Cora asking my husband every two seconds for another piece of candy.

Every. Two. Seconds.

I know there are very cool ideas out there about a "Halloween Trade"-- a small gift in exchange for the children's bag of candy--which is a super idea, but I just didn't get there this year.

Plus, being a sweet tooth myself, I do want my kids to have some candy. Call me crazy. Some candy. Some.

So this Quick Trick I came up with on the fly, from my bed, and I was just thanking my lucky stars that I had been keeping empty egg cartons for a while and had enough to do this.

• Candy Countdown Cartons: I grabbed the egg cartons, taped a piece of paper that said "Maddy's Candy Countdown" onto one carton, "Owen's. . . " on another, and "Cora's . . ." on the last one.
  

Maddy's Candy Countdown Carton

Then I said, I've heard enough crying for candy. Enough! I am trying to rest, and all I hear is 'More candy! More candy! Can we please have candy?'

First of all, we don't eat candy all day long. Secondly, we're not going to finish all of this candy anyway. Imagine how your bellies would feel if we let you eat junk all day long. Remember the Berenstain Bears and 'Too Much Junk Food'? It's Mommy and Daddy's job to help keep you safe and healthy.

So here is your Candy Countdown Carton. Owen, how many little holes are in this container? He counted and told me.

Right. Twelve. So I'm going to dump all of our candy onto the floor, and each of you can pick twelve pieces of candy. That's it. Stick one piece in each of these holes, and when Daddy or I say it's time for candy--for dessert or when we say it's time--then you can pick one of your pieces.

When your Candy Countdown Carton is empty, candy's gone. There's no more. So go through the candy, pick your favorites, and fill up your containers.

Owen fills his Candy Countdown Carton

So they did. And maybe giving them some ownership over a tiny bit of candy, maybe because 'twelve' seems like such a big number to them, or maybe because they just they were happy to play with their candy for a bit, Maddy, Owen, and Cora were content.

I could hear them, after lunch, picking out a piece from their cartons. One piece and they were done.

Maybe this 'Good-bye Halloween Candy' Quick Trick worked after all--or at least for today.

Just a little something to try if you'd like. Hope you had a great Halloween!