DD age 2 has 3 older siblings (half-share the same dad) who have adored her and she them from the day she was born. They come to ours 3x per week sometimes more. She has always been super excited to see them when they arrive, they spend most of the time they are with us doting on her, playing with her, doing whatever she tells them (I have told them they don't have to they just enjoy playing with her)! They're lovely kids and she's so lucky to have them in her life.
Recently she's been a bit more grumpy, initially it was as a result of illness but now I think it's terrible 2s or just habit from when she was ill she has started really acting out when they arrive. She is stroppy, grumpy, rude and today she tried to kick her eldest sister (who she is closest to, who absolutely adores her) when she touched her leg. The kids do crowd her a bit and used to come in and get in her face and be really excited, because she used to love that. I've asked them to try to tone it down and they have but she just seems to be getting worse.
She does love them, she asks about them all the time, when the initial part of them arriving dies down she plays with them non stop. I give her plenty of warning they're coming, the frequency has been the same her whole life, there has been no change. How can I make this easier for her?