Bartering...

So... Dinner around our house, is usually a bit challenging. I mean, for some reason, the girls tend to eat less and less as the day gradually turns back into night. I feel like I'm nearly force-feeding them on most occasions. The other night, Joel and I were sitting at our pub table, and the girls were in their high chairs. We had some meat, a side, a veggie - typical cuisine that evening. Of course, Myla was "pecking" slowly at her food, and basically playing with it more than anything else. She decided she was already "all done", and that she now wanted to have some blueberry Puffs (a cereal-like toddler-food.) Daddy agreed with her that she could indeed indulge in these tasty little morsels, if she first finished the meat on her plate. She tried to avoid the inevitable negotiation, but finally caved. 
Upon finishing her designated portions, she reveled in the fact that she could now, truly, be... allllll done! With a knowing smile, she announced her status, and handed off her plate to her dad. He exclaimed, "Good job! Now you can have your blueberry puffs!!" 
To this, Myla raised her chin, squinted her eyes, and pointed a finger at him with an up-and-down motion, stating, "No no no.... CHOCOLATE." 
Joel and I looked at each other - reading one-another's minds and expressions as we surely were both thinking something like, "Oh MY God. This child! She seriously is already 3 going on 13. How can we compete with this?!?" ;) Joel just placed his head into his hand, and looked at me with eyes that pretty much expressed the above. I uncontrollably bolted out in laughter! She's too smart, I tell you. But she did eat (finally.) So, she was awarded her beloved chocolate for her troubles. 

TIP! We figured out that they actually can be bribed into eating more of their meals - even with healthy to semi-healthy "treats" acting as the select special reward(s). Fruit snacks, yogurt, puffs, "Crunchies", apples, and even bread (yes, bread. I know... weird!) have all come in handy for just this purpose. Now of course, she's begun to understand that she has some power to barter... and will often opt instead for cookies or chocolate. Well, it was good while it lasted! 

A QUOTE: "It kills you to see them grow up.  But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't." ~Barbara Kingsolver

WHIDFML: Met 2 new people at Elsie's during bowling with the gals last night! Fun times :)