a bit of a handful
a person or creature that gives you a headache, but you still think it's adorable because you're too stupid to know better
My daughter screamed at the top of her lungs and I said 'she's just expressing herself.'
My dog chewed my favorite shoes and I said 'he's just trying to make a statement.'
My brother threw a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store and I said 'he's just being fun.'