Pie loves to “draw.” Coloring, writing, whatever. Loves it. But I’m not crazy about her walking all over the house with open markers, so I generally confiscate them quickly when she’s done, which doesn’t go over so well. Luckily, she’s into her Color Wonder markers, so we’ve found a happy medium as she can keep her own markers. But this causes other problems.
Pie: Mommy, I want to color.
Me: Okay.
Pie: Where my markers?
Me: I don’t know. Where did you leave them?
Pie runs off. Comes back.
Pie: I can’t find markers.
Me: Did you look in the playroom?
Pie: Not in playroom.
Me: Are you sure? Did you check your backpack?
Pie: Yes. Not in backpack.
Me: Are you sure? Your markers usually end up in your backpack.
Pie: THEY ARE NOT IN BACKPACK!!
Me: Okay, okay. It’s just they’re usually in your backpack.
Pie: NO! Can’t find markers!!
Me: Well look again. I can help you search for them in a minute.
Pie: NO, NOW! I CAN’T FIND MARKERS! I NEED MARKERS!
Full-blown meltdown ensures. A good ten minutes of screaming, with me reminding her, “You get nothing when you have a temper tantrum” and her insisting, “I need markers!” Finally, I walk away and eventually she calms down on her own. Three minutes after that, she bounds cheerfully back into the living room.
Pie: Mommy, I found my markers!
Me: That’s great, Pie Pie! Where were they?
Pie [with grin only Pie can deliver]: In my backpack.
Oh. Dear. Lord. That’s 2 1/2. What am I going to get at 12?
