Gratuitous Domestic Posting (TM)

I went to the four year old's end-of-year performance at school this morning. As the gel sat in her little circle of friends, leering at me like a maniac, one of the assistant teachers sidled up to me and said, "She's four going on fourteen, and at both ages she's going to make you pull your hair out. But in class, she's one of the most helpful and responsible of the children."

Indeed, I've noticed this dichotome before.

Self: Do you leave toys and books lying all over the place like this at school?

Gel: Noooooo.....

Self: Well then why do you think you can do so at home?

Gel: I dunnoooooo.......

********
Self: Do you talk back like that to Mrs. [Teacher] at school?

Gel: Nooooooo......

Self: Well what makes you think you can at home?

Gel: Daaaa-Deeeee!!!!!!

Sigh. I'm afraid the assistant is absolutely right in her assessment. As I may have mentioned before, my private nickname for this gel is Harpo: the instant you turn your back on her, she sets your hat on fire, cuts your tie in half and jams her foot into your pocket.