Eila likes to cut out pictures from catalogs or magazines and tape them to pieces of paper. This morning she noticed that there were a few dogs in one of her pictures.

Eila: Mommy and Daddy, can we got to the pet store and get a dog?
Dad: No, we're not getting a dog.
Mom: Yes, and dogs are a lot of work...
Eila: But, I'll do all the hard work myself!

I'm sure she will...

Eila: For my fifth birthday, I would like five birthday presents.
Daddy: Okay, what do you want?
Eila: A music box, A jewelry box, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Daddy: That's five presents, Eila.
* short pause *
Eila: For my fifth birthday, I want seven presents. A jewely box, A music box....

Eila has had a bad habit of screaming "NO! NEVER!" when we ask her to do something that she really doesn't want to do, but often she will go and do exactly what was asked of her.

For instance, today she was really cranky and making lots of poor choices, so I recommended that she rest in her room for a bit and try to nap.
Me: Would you like to rest on the floor or on your bed?
Eila: Neither. I will NEVER rest or take a nap. I don't want to do it on the floor or my bed or anywhere. I won't go. NEVER!
Me: Please don't argue with me. You can choose or I'll pick the bed. Are you going or am I taking you?
Eila: I'm not going to rest. No, never.
Me: I'll take you.
Eila: No, Never. (while walking to her room and getting settled into her beanbag)

After a few loud noises (books being thrown at the canopy, I think) and her coming to tell me that her canopy was touching her, she came out and said she wanted to play. I told her that she still needed to rest for a few minutes. She went to wait by the stairs and a few minutes later, when I went to check on her, she was asleep with her pillow, buddies and blanket in the doorway of her room at the top of the stairs. She has been asleep for over an hour now.

But, she will never rest!