A Magical "Yes" Key?

Why is it that as soon as my husband walks out the door, World War Three begins?!

First, they congregate at the door, pouting and whining that Dad left and he didnt take them with him. Then one or the other finds something to get into trouble with.

Tonight, L. found a big bag of mini tootsie pops stashed away and pulled the whole thing out of the drawer. When S. asked if they could have one [as I was cooking dinner], I told her No, neither of them could have a lollipop.

She immediately fell to the floor, like someone had chopped off her legs, and started screaming that L. was going to have them all and he could just have them and she wasnt going to get anything.

Oh yea ... and "Mommy ... Im really mad at you right now!"

Thats okay, I get it, child.

Then she shut herself in the pantry and pouted and cried, and laughed and cried some more, just to put on a show.

Im used to it these days -- she's really dramatic, even for a three year old. But still ... do these kids secretly think that Dad holds the magical "yes" key? That as long as he is home, I'll say yes to everything? And that as soon as he leaves, I change my stripes and become the evil "No" monger?!

Or are they really just trying my patience?!