"such hard work"

After her 3rd time out in a 20 minute span (for attacking both of her sisters repeatedly), I reminded Avery, yet again, that she needed to make good choices. Her response, "but mom, being a big girl is such hard work." I couldn't help but smile. Oh, sweet girl, yes it is. It is a good thing she is so cute- it goes a long way in taking the edge off of mom's wrath.

It has just been one of those days. The girls have been testing limits at every turn. Avery has been very physically aggressive (Finley has scratches all over her body to prove it), and blatantly defiant. Between spurts of giggles, Finley has been screaming almost constantly- either because she is wounded (emotionally or physically- thanks to Avery), or because she is defending her territory/property (from Avery). Early in the day, Finley stuck her hand down her dirty diaper and wiped it all over (flashback to THIS). Then later, she took her diaper off (her new thing- ever since THIS incident), went and peed on my rug, announced it, and then proudly showed me the spot. Emerson has also been crying all day- the poor thing has not gotten more than a 5 minute nap. Between her own tummy troubles, teething discomfort?!, and other baby ailements, plus her LOUD, disruptive sisters that make it their mission in life to wake her up, she can't sleep for any length of time. Days like this are very, VERY long. I love them all so very dearly, but I am ready for a break. Is it bedtime yet?!