First week back and nothing like jumping right back into life @ home!

Maliana ~

This week, as mentioned before, we jumped right back into the routine. It's been a tough adjustment, but we're making it.

On Wednesday when you woke up, you insisted on wearing your "Made in China" shirt again, dirt and all. When I told Lao Lao that I was sure that you'd smell "interesting" after school today, she said it reminded her of me and all of my clothing "obsessions" when I was little too. That night, you also had your first middle of the night pee, waking me up @ 2am and telling me you had to pee! It's definitely progress so way to go girl!

When Daddy woke up on Thursday morning, he found both you and Abby asleep (you on the loveseat and Abby on the couch) in the living room. No idea why (or when) you both went out there (since you were both asleep in bed when I left at a quarter til 6am), but I thought it was really sweet that Abby didn't let you sleep out there alone. She loves her little sister!

Thursday night, you, Lao Lao, Uncles Flint and Forge, and I all went to the Columbus Zoo for their Wildlights preview night. It was really pretty and you were soooo crazy! You ran and ran, laughing and being silly with all of us all night. I don't know how you were still standing by the time we got home since you only had a 45 minute nap @ school today, but you were still raring to go even at 10pm. It was the first Christmas lights we've seen this season and I am starting to feel more in the Christmas spirit. You are going to be so much fun this year!

checking out Santa Claus...you actually did go up with me and get your picture taken (on my lap), but you have yet to venture up all by yourself. of course, we still have a month until Christmas (who knows!)

On Friday, you, Lao Lao, and I went to the parade and Christmas tree lighting at Easton. It was super pretty and when they lit the tree, they lit all of the shop lights too and even lit off fireworks. None of us were expecting the fireworks and it freaked you out a bit, but I think you still really enjoyed it.

That night when we got home, you insisted on reading your Human Body book to Daddy and I. It's a pretty detailed book that Uncle Flint got for you, all about all of the parts of the human body, inside and out. I love when you say human body too because you pronounce it like "yewma bobby". It is super cute! In fact, skipping ahead to Saturday night, we had Memaw and Papaw over for dinner and to look at the Hawaii pictures. During dinner, you had to go potty and proceeded to sit on the potty and read this particular book to yourself, saying "yewma bobby" every time you'd turn a page. I snuck in to take a video of you doing this and we all had a good chuckle at how cute you are. Unfortunately, I can't get it to upload to this blog, but trust me, it's adorable!

On Saturday morning, you and I went to a dental check up, your first ever! You wouldn't let them do much, but you did pretty well overall, especially considering how many people (even adults) are afraid of the dentist. You sat on my lap during some of my cleaning and were very interested in what they were doing to my mouth. While you wouldn't let the hygienist get near your mouth at all, you did cooperate better with the dentist. After she counted your teeth, we showed her how we brush your teeth and she said we were doing a great job and to keep it up. Yay Mali!

Mommy's done, now it's Mali's turn!

the hygienist tried so hard, but no way ~ you weren't having any part of it!



doing better with the dentist who is attempting to count your teeth



smile pretty!

On Sunday morning, you and I cleaned your room and went through your toys to pick some out to give away to other less fortunate kids. I explained how some kids don't have any toys at all and it would make them very happy if you could share yours with them. After some explaining, you got into it and willingly helped me fill an entire lawn trash bag with toys. I am so proud of you. When we explained what we were doing to Daddy, I asked you how the kids would feel after they got your old toys and you said "happy!" with a big smile. That makes me happy to know that you are truly getting into the spirit of giving already this year.

Love,
Mama