For the past few weeks, we've been talking a lot about Santa and his Naughty List.  The idea here is that by explaining that Santa only brings toys to kids that behave, Martin will be encouraged to keep himself in line.  After this morning, I'm pretty sure that his name is etched in BOLD letters on the Naughty List.

Here are some of Martin's activities from this morning:
- He dumped a bowl of pine cones into his fire truck, drove it around the house, dropped off loads and ran them over to smash them into the carpet.
- He took blackberries off of Sophie's plate and lined them up in a row on the carpet.  Then stomped them with the heel of his cowboy boot.
- After going to the bathroom (where he needed some "privacy"), he cleaned his butt with Q-tips.

Just today, it sunk in that after all this talk about the Naughty List and with Martin's recent behavior, what will happen if Santa delivers toys as if nothing has happened?  Martin will know... you can do anything and Santa will still bring gifts.  And that can't happen. 

Today, I stepped up the threat, quite possibly making matters worse.  I told Martin that in the week before Christmas parents are asked to call Santa with up-to-the-minute updates about kids' behavior.  I told him that Santa asked me to call tonight, but that if I had to call him right now I'd ask Santa to put Sophie on the Nice List and move Martin over to the Naughty List.  I told him that he has the chance to set things straight for today before I give Santa a call.  I told him that after some of today's behavior, he'd have to be extra good ALL DAY EVERY DAY until Christmas is here.

I don't know what we'll do once Christmas is over.  I'll probably have to tell him that the New Year Baby, Cupid, Leprechauns, and Uncle Sam all work for Santa and are required to update the Lists throughout the year.  And I better find a new place to keep the Q-tips.