"I'm Angry!" said Grace, "GRRRRRR"

I know it's been awhile since I last posted . . . life has taken a toll on my available time! As I write today, I am looking at the piles of work that surround me -- beckoning for attention -- it's easy to ignore them . . . kind of!

I have to write today about Grace . . . this weekend she has developed a new way of expressing anger . . .

Labor Day was very warm for us -- over 90 Degrees! Jacob and Grace wanted to swim in the pool (I don't blame them!). So, while Franco put fresh water in the pool (and carried a few buckets of hot water from the kitchen to the pool to take off the chill from the hose water!), I marched both Jacob and Grace to the upstairs bathroom to put on their swimming suits. Grace had her suit on, and I was helping Jacob put his suit on, when suddenly I heard "CLUNK" -- what in the world? Jacob turned around quickly, and started rubbing the back of his head, saying "owww!"

Well, looking quickly at Grace, I saw that she had picked up a bottle of fingernail polish that was on the counter, and walloped Jacob on the back of his head with it -- for no apparent reason at all! (We've been working on this issue with Grace -- apparently she feels the need to periodically either hit Jacob in the head with whatever is within her reach at the time the impulse occurs, or to kick him, if there is nothing within her reach!)

I immediately told Grace to go sit on the (closed!) toilet and think about what she did, while I finished getting Jacob ready. Grace then slunk over, her head hanging and her bottom lip sticking out, and reluctantly sat on the toilet. I could have never imagined what happened next . . . as I was still getting Jacob ready, I heard this low rumbling coming from Grace's direction! I looked up, and she was sitting there with a very pronounced scowl, growling at me! I initially thought of the movie "Sybil" that I had watched long ago, or that, possibly, demons had possessed my sweet little girl! I asked, "Grace! What are you doing?" She proceeded to tell me, "I'm angry!" and then growled again! It was all I could do to not laugh --

Later, at dinner, Grace asked if she could eat some candy, and, when her request was denied, scowled, gave me a "death glare," and began growling at me -- again! This time my mom was there, and asked me what Grace was doing -- I then proceeded to explain that this display is Grace's new way of expressing anger; to which my mom covered her face and started laughing! Oh, that was a big help, let me tell you! I will admit -- it was hard not to laugh -- but, of course, it only encouraged the behavior!

I have to admit, I would LOVE to give a "death glare" and growl at people when I am angry with them! It is much more expressive of how I am really feeling than more "adult" ways of dealing with anger . . . maybe the next time I have a Judge rule against me I'll try Grace's way of responding . . . . or maybe not . . .

(By the way, on both occasions, Grace was required to apologize for her behavior and hug the "victim" and say "I'm sorry." While Grace complied with this requirement -- seemingly with a willing heart -- part of me still wonders if she has discovered a "get out of jail free" card . . . we shall see . . . )