Ailey and Etta: Being the "best Mom ever..."

So many days I feel like the title above evades me...
but the other night I had a conversation with Ailey that left me actually feeling like so.
(at least for a moment)

As most of you know 5year olds (especially smart ones who like to make sure their opinions are interjected at every turn) can sometimes say things which might not be appropriate. We've been trying to talk with Ailey specifically about saying things about people that might hurt their feelings. Thankfully, when she says something - it's usually to her dad or I, AND it's usually in a hushed embarrassed tone... (on a side note, I'm ridiculously thankful that 98% of the time this is the case) However, what is said to us would definitely be cause for concern if the person she's talking about overhears . So we've been trying our best to help her work through it and learn to be better about this all...

So here's the scene... Ailey has twice been really reprimanded during the day for the above offense. And we're getting ready to tuck her in. We pray and say goodnight as we usually do and I'm left alone in her room to tuck her in. She grabs my face and looks at me super sincerely and says, (and this is a bit of an -ad-lib because I can't remember exactly how she said it, but I know for a fact it started with...) "Mom, you're the best mom ever. You help me know when I'm not doing the right thing so I can grow up to be a good person." And you know what, my heart got super warm and fluttery. Sometimes, when she gets it - she reallllly gets it. And it makes what we're doing feel worthwhile.
And really, how many 5year olds do you know that actually thank their parent for doing this for them??!
Well, for tonight I'm excited mine did.
She's a special one that girl.... and I'm thankful she's mine.

On a separate note, a few new pics of the girls for anyone who's been waiting...
(It's a little pic heavy so sorry for the long load time... but I didn't think anyone would mind too much!)