Will You Use Your Angry Voice?

I was talking to Alanna this morning and remembered a funny story that happened the other day. 

So, the boys were playing outside and - surprise - there was some rock throwing.  I was doing some weeding on the other side of the yard, when Gabe came up to me and told me that Zach had thrown a rock at him.  It actually left a mark, so I told Gabe that I was going to go over and talk to Zach.  I guess I was talking to Gabe in too calm of a voice, because in response Gabe asked, "Will you use your angry voice, Mom?" 

To Gabe's delight, I pulled out the angry voice when talking to Zach about throwing rocks.  However, when Zach didn't listen and continued to throw rocks, I had to follow through with my threat and bring Zach inside.  All of a sudden Gabe no longer wanted "mad Mama" on the scene, because he was grabbing at my shorts, trying to pull me away from Zach so that I wouldn't take Zach inside.

How quickly feelings change.