"You know I love you!"

So this morning everything went smooth and happy at our house. Charley woke up dry and on his own. Henry ate breakfast and went down for a nap at 8:30 without a fuss. Mama got a 30 minute workout in. Yipee! Still going strong. Then we got packed up and headed to a short playdate. After the playdate we decided to park our car at our friends and walk to a nearby park. The sun was out and it was 50 degrees. Gorgeous. All was good there too. On the walk back to the car Charley lost it...he wasn't hungry, he was hungry, he wanted to go home, he didn't want to go home, he wanted to play with Elly etc. It went on and on. Then he pinched his finger in the stroller and could not get himself together. In the driveway he refused to get in the car. Still crying....I was now close to losing it myself...Henry was also crying. It was noon and they were obviously hungry. Lynelle and I had a talk with the two on the way home that they do not decide who comes over to play and eat lunch. I explained to Charley that it is rude to invite yourself over. But he was in a breakdown state of mind so he wasn't getting it. He is four. I got them in the car and drove home. He entered the laundry room and let out an ear piercing scream. I quickly exited with Henry and let the kid have at it. I knew he needed to get it out....whatever it was. I made them lunch and then when Charley had quieted I told him his lunch was ready...praying that I had picked a couple things that would be okay because I could imagine him flinging his plate at me if what he saw was not what he wanted. He sat down, didn't say a peep and ate it all up. He then told me he had a headache. Well of course he did, I get headaches when I cry like that too. He was still hungry so I gave him a granola bar and while he ate he looked at me and got a jittery lip and I said,"Charley, you know I love you." He just stared at me. I said, "Charley are you okay?" He started to cry. I asked, "Do you need a hug?" He climbed into my lap and we snuggled. I then took a chance and asked, "Do you remember when you used to lay in your bed with your eyes closed and I would read you a whole bunch of books?" He did...and he was up for it. So we did that...and the boy sleeps. He sleeps hard...and I don't care if he is up later tonight...he obviously needed a nap. The last few days have been gorgeous out and we have spent a lot of time outside. He has had swimming and preschool. The kid might need to curl up and rest! And maybe, he just needs to hear those three words, "I love you!"