The first truly autumn weekend

Maliana ~

We just got back from a day at the zoo. It was Lao Lao's company picnic and so Lao Lao, me, Daddy, Uncle Flint, and Uncle Blaize all went with you. (Uncle Blaize came with us since you had just camped out at their house last night, but I'll talk all about the camp-out later). Anyway, it was cold, windy, and a bit drizzly - but that didn't stop you from having a blast! You know your way around the zoo pretty well by now, and in spite of being tired, you ran around, took lots of pictures (especially of the polar bears, letting out a maniacal laugh each time they'd do something silly), and even went on your first pony ride!

It was super cute too as you would do a head count with our little group, every now and then, to make sure we were all there. I think you are just about the most responsible and conscientious 2 1/2 year old I know. Daddy was also so happy to finally be able to go to the zoo with us ~ It was a really good day for us all.

As for the camp-out I mentioned earlier, you and Daddy spent the night at Wai Gong's house last night. Unfortunately, I had a horrible migraine and could not come, but I am so glad that you got to go anyway! You had a ball and when I came over this morning, you were eating breakfast and having a grand old time. You all were supposed to camp out in the back yard, but with all of the wind and rain, you just camped out on an air mattress in front of their fireplace. I guess you snuggled half the night with Blaize and the other half with Daddy. Below are some photos of your camp-out. And by the way, when I mentioned that we were going to bring Blaize with us to the zoo this morning, you did the most hilarious "happy dance"...you love your Uncle Blaize!

As I mentioned before, I had one of the worst migraines I have had in my life, beginning on Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, it held off long enough for me to enjoy the Pumpkin Palooza with you and Daddy, plus Wai Gong, Gma Lisa, Uncle Blaize, Michelle, Fred & Mia, and also Shawn, Jennifer & Niubei! The gang was all able to come out for a super fun time. This was the first time that all three of you cuties were all together - it was awesome! I look forward to many more times spent together with these families. The Pumpkin Palooza is an event at Lynd's Fruit Farm to benefit Children's Hospital and they have all sorts of things to do. Your favorite things were the wagon ride (where they even let us get off to pick apples) and this HUGE dirt mound that you loved climbing up and down and up and down and up and...well, you get the idea.

Yummy, fresh picked apples!

Poor little Niubei wasn't so sure about this whole shoulder business, and started crying...so of course, you being little Miss Empathy had to join in too, and started whining to match Niubei.

 The Dirt Mound!

 Thank God for laundry detergent!

As for the rest of the week, here are the highlights...

You have begun using pronouns more and also saying cute little phrases too...such as when you say something, and someone asks you, "Really?" and you say back "Really!" (except you sound a little bit more like Elmer Fudd...making it all the more adorable!)

My birthday was on Thursday this week, and while Daddy took me out to dinner, you helped Mamaw and Papaw surprise me by decorating their house and getting a birthday cake ready for me when we came to pick you up. It was so thoughtful and cute! You are getting really good at singing Happy Birthday and kept running up to me with big hugs and saying "Happy Birthday Mama!" all evening. Melted my heart. What an awesome surprise, I love you so much kiddo.

Earlier in the day, you also made me a birthday card with the help of Miss Adrienne at school and even serenaded me with a little Bohemian Rhapsody, complete with imaginary microphone on the way home ~ I loved it!

The day before my birthday, we took Abby for a hike in Blendon Woods on their pet trail. We all had a blast and you insisted on carrying Spiderman in your pocket. What nature hike is complete without Spiderman, right?

You also insisted on holding his hand (just like I hold yours), from your pocket, while we crossed the parking lot, at a store later. I laughed out loud at that one.

Once home, you played with all the kids in the neighborhood. It fills me with joy to watch you just being, "one of the kids" now...you have so much fun and fit in so well. Here's one of my favorite random shots of the silliness...you and Ace on your tricycles.

We have begun sending you to school with a blanket for naps now. Well, I wish we would have known we could do this sooner as you have taken two 2 hour naps this week! Yay! Well rested Mali = Happy Mama. And by the way, you are now calling me "Mommy" about half the time...I'm not so sure how I feel about that, I really got to liking "Mama". But I suppose change is good and "Mommy" has a nice ring to it too.

On Monday, Audrey came over and we had a huge, silly, gigglefest all afternoon. It was a rainy day so we all stayed in, I cooked, and we all just got creatively crazy, playing your idea for a game of "School Naptime" in your room, and then dress-up with all of us. Here are some pictures of the dress-up goofiness...

That night we had a very cute moment too. I had been wearing my prayer box necklace, about which you were very curious. So we began telling you what prayer was, and taking turns whispering our prayers into my necklace. You loved doing this, and in the midst of your prayers, you would say all of your favorite peoples' names. It was the sweetest thing. I think I need to find you your own prayer box necklace (or just give you mine). Listening to you whisper your prayers had to be one of the sweetest sounds in the world.

Tuesday we had another rainy day, so we spent our afternoon with a huge bowl of popcorn and a double feature of The Polar Express and The Muppet Movie, then laying on the floor just being silly together. I generally go crazy if there is a rainy day and I am cooped up inside, but this was just the medicine I needed. This time with you is so precious. I know it won't last forever...so I'm soaking in every second I can now.

Love you sweetheart,

Mama aka Mommy