We had such a  fun day with Joe and Brenda, Gram and PopPop, and of course, Murray.  Chris was back at school so why not take a day to go visit? Especially since this might have been the only time a dog will ever be welcomed in the house at 1527 Washington!?!

The girls are absolutely in love with Murray, and during our usual bedtime routines of 'what was the best part of the day,' Murray won, hands down.

No, we will not be running out and getting them their own dog to love. They can be pen-pals with Murray! (Yes, they've already written Murray letters.)

However, Abby went without her nap today. This is not the first time. It shouldn't have been a big deal.  She made it through at Disney without naps, only falling asleep in her stroller by about 8pm.

Phew. She was a hot mess this afternoon.  She cried because Chris filled her apple juice cup and not me.  She punched Katherine because she was sitting where Abby wanted to sit. She had a total meltdown when I helped her get her nightgown on. After she ASKED me for help because she was stuck (head goes in the neck hole, arms in the arm holes, not the other way around.) After I got her all put together, she freaked out because she wanted to do it herself. She ripped off the nightgown and threw it on the floor. But then, of course, it was inside out again, and she needed me to help her.  Again.

It was not pretty. It was lights out at 715 for Abby, but then there was screaming because it was "TOO DARK!" Despite the bright hallway light and nightlight in her room. Her poor little brain was just fried and she could not handle anything else.

I crawled in bed and talked about our day, and asked her what she'd like to see at the Zoo tomorrow. She took some deep breaths and decided cows and elephants.

Sigh.  Wow. There are days I truly worry how we'll survive the hormones of the teen years.

And yet, look at this face?  How could she be as crazy as all that? Believe me, it is all true!