Jekyll and Hyde

So, if you have children you probably have witness this phenomenon, and if you haven't well you are luckier than me.

This evening I decided to take Chloe out with me. BIG mistake. I should have known better. I had to run to the store to buy tape to fix the library book Elijah ripped and then take it to the library because it was already late, of course.

So, we get to the grocery store and Chloe says, "I want to buy food, but not apples or carrots." I said, "But Chloe we already have food we don't need food." I do finally consent to buy bananas because we were out of course. She happily skips through the store holding her bananas. I head to the checkout line because I was done. Chloe says, "I want to buy more food" I say, "No Chloe are hands are full." She then throws the bananas on the floor along with herself while screaming "I want to get a cart I want a cart."

At this point I figure I have to buy the bananas that are now hopelessly bruised. I hurry to pick them up, and of course drop them and they bounce a few times. I rush through the check out line while Chloe is still laying of the floor screaming. I then pick up my 45 lb 4 year old and drag her out of the store. At this point I am angry and cussing myself for the brilliant decision not to leave her at home with the boys. I told her I have to take her home because I can't take her to the library while she is behaving this way. She instantly stops, smiles, and ever so sweetly says, "I am sorry Mommy I am ready to go to the library now".

Again, in my foolishness I take her to the library, partly because I just wanted to get it all done without having to go home. We went in and headed down the stairs to get a book I wanted. Again she was all sweetness and light skipping and singing and smiling at everyone who walked by. Now, I am afraid of elevators. I hate enclosed spaces and sliding doors and all that. I do use the elevator when I have the stroller but today I was so happy to be able to use the stairs. We start to walk up the stairs, get up about 2 stairs when Chloe decides she wants to use the elevator. She immediately throws herself down on the stairs and starts screaming "I want to go on the elevator." After a min. I said, "fine we can go up the elevator but you can not check out a book for yourself." She immediately stops, says "sorry Mommy" smiles, jumps up and walks up the stairs. So, we check out the books get out of the library and get to the car.

Everything seems good until we are driving down the street. Chloe then says, "I want to listen to the Dancing Queen song." Now, we have already listened to this song enough times today for me to be very sick of it. I said, "can we just listen to something else?" I hear the low whine at the back of her throat that signals angry Chloe and because I am just done I quickly turn on Dancing Queen and we listen to it 2 more times on the way home.

I hand her off to Blake to deal with bedtime and went and had some Pepsi. I was so done. This is why I say she is harder than my 3 boys put together. I am so thankful I only have 1 girl. I must say though, when she is being sweet she is as sweet as an angel.