Why do the kids put beans in their ears?

I was on the couch and invited Widget Thudnerpaws to come up and sit with me.

zedrikcayne says, "Well he may not want to come up and cuddle. I put him in my pants."

And I reply calmly, "Why did you put the cat in your pants?"

(The answer was because he felt like it. I still don't understand.)