an uncomfortable preview

Today at various times we were treated to a sampling of teenage type behavior from our beloved four year old. Doors were slammed in our faces. He stomped off with full mad face, arms crossed with angry purpose. And then there were tears after each episode. He was angry at having to take a nap, so angry that he pushed, kicked, and hit me while screaming at me. When he woke up (after THREE hours), he told me "That was just a pretend fight before. I really did need my nap." Clearly he did. Tonight, David was headed in to play Transformers in Dennis' room with him when the dog ran into his room and ate the pizza he had taken in there to finish while he played. Oh, the tragedy. He was very mad at Lemonade and mad at us for having no sympathy (really, he took the pizza in there TWO HOURS prior to this incident. I think he'd have eaten it in that time if he'd really wanted it). He slammed his door in our faces. Then he followed me to the bathroom and grabbed that door and slammed me in there. He lost his playtime with his Daddy as his punishment, and he cried like we'd broken his heart. I hope he's just having an off day. I'd really hate to have to deal with facing that temper (CLEARLY inherited from me) more often. He's been very emotional, and it could be a little bit attributed to the very real fear from yesterday's storms. I miss my easygoing little happy person today.

I should note that, in between his sessions of mad, he needed (and got) lots of hugs and snuggles. He asked me this afternoon to pick him up and hold him, and when I did, he said "oh yeah--that's what I like!". And this morning, he awoke (in our bed) and told me his legs were having their own birthday party today as he wiggled them all around in the air. His sense of humor is still intact!

He is comforted by the fact that no family members suffered much damage from the tornado. He was a little concerned about Uncle Denny not being able to open his front door (which we imagine is swollen from water/humidity). He said "I bet there's a troll on the other side of the door, holding it shut. That's why he can't open it!" Many giggles accompanied this statement. Surely tomorrow will be a better day.