Mae turned five recently. I realize she's not a baby any longer. And. I don't like it.

I've learned that when you wish for your child to exit a phase they are in - usually a bad phase - they inevitably exit -- but then enter into a new phase - one that made the old one seem like a cakewalk.

Mae has entered one of those phases. She's testing me. She's wearing me out - not physically - but mentally. I'm exhausted by 7 each evening. I just want to lay down and sleep.

I'm not complaining - this is a good phase for MAE -- not for me. She's figuring out boundaries with peers -- she's seeing how far she can push things -- she calls into question just about everything possible. It's all maddening to me. I wish I were 20 years younger -- oh man, do I ever....

This too shall pass... I hope.