Awwwwwwwwww....

I was getting so frustrated with Raizel this evening. She picked off all the clay on a project that Eli did. Then she found a black marker and drew all over herself and the (Good Will-quality) couch. Then she and Eli dumped half the water out of the tub while I put a diaper on Avi. Then she took off her underpants (yes, underpants!!!! YAY!) 3 times (she loves to run around naked). I was really gearing up to do one major big mommy dance when she grabbed my legs, looked up at me with big brown soulful eyes and said—>>>for the first time<<<—"I love you, mama." How can you stay mad after that? I put all my frustrations in a little shoe box and shoved them under the bed (that's what I tell Amirah to do :)) and we turned on some fun music and she, Eli, and I danced and danced. Much better than a mommy dance, let me tell you, though I'm sure just as goofy-looking. What was careening towards a really yucky evening turned out to be pretty darn good. And only an hour until bedtime so hopefully we can keep it headed in that direction. :)