My Prickly Pear

It's been a few months, but my Prickly Pear is back. I first heard that term a few years ago when a friend described her mother-in-law that way. I immediately loved the name. Not for my mother-in-law (whom is wonderful!), but for my daughter.

I love that child, but. Oh, my. What prickliness can she display!

She asked me once why I called her that. I said, "Well, a pear because you can sweet at times and prickly for when you are not."

Her response? "I. AM. NOT!!!"

Yea....she just proved my point.

Anyway, it's been awhile since she has shown any of her prickliness....until this afternoon. Granted, I was not too surprised. I sort of saw it coming.

Sunday I allowed her to spend the night at a friend's house. It was the a try by the girls (four all together) to enjoy the last of Christmas vacation as they didn't have to go to school until today (Tuesday). I knew they would stay up late and get very little sleep, but I hated to say no - these girls are great together and I hated for Melissa to be the only one not going. But I, also, know that we usually pay for her lack of sleep not so much the next day, but the second day. That would be today.

And yea....the lack of sleep was  apparent!

Also, Melissa didn't feel well due to having a tooth pulled yesterday. By the time she arrived home from school, the pain meds had worn off.  She came into the house  very, very grumpy. Complaining about how tired she was, how boring school was, and a few other things that I basically ignored.

After a few minutes  I got on to both her and Benjamin about the on-going issue we have of the state of their bathroom.

That was probably my mistake. I should have waited until later in the evening, but I was afraid I would forget.  Miss Prickly Pear appeared full of tears and a loud voice.

Thankfully, I was able to leave and go get William (he had a soccer meeting after school).

By the time I returned home, she was at her babysitting job and by the time she returned home from that, she was in a much better mood.

Well.....until I told her I talked to the dentist who talked to the orthodontist and they think she needs two more teeth pulled.....

I better stock up on the pain meds.....