That cozy Christmas feeling is finally here...

Maliana ~

Week started off great with dinner with Ggma. We headed to MCL (of course!) and you were so silly. Ggma seemed to get the biggest kick out of you and vice versa, however you made me chuckle when I asked you on the way home if you had a good time with Ggma and you said "lil bit". Ha ha. You've also been into disposable cameras lately and, once home, you made Daddy and I do a photo shoot. You had us posing all sorts of ways...hands on hips, hands up in the air, hugging, etc. Should be funny when we get them developed.

On Wednesday Audrey came over and we made and decorated Christmas cookies. Of course, we stripped you down to nothing (and thank God we did) since you made a HUGE mess, which was also a ton of fun! After our cookie chaos, we gave you a bath (with your turning the water GREEN as the icing came off your body, ha ha ha) and then you put on quite the performance of "Up On the Housetop" for us. Audrey was laughing so hard she was crying, what with your hopping all around as you sang and did all of the motions you have learned at school. We must have all taken turns singing that about 15 to 20 times! Then, as I put you to bed that night, you were softly going over it to yourself again as you lay there, and then later turned to me, softly saying "I love you" and then putting your face to mine and giving me smooch after smooch after smooch. Melts my heart...you are great!

you girls are working hard on your Christmas creations

look at that GREEN mouth!

At dinner on Thursday, you stole my heart again with your response to my asking you what made you happy that day...to which you thought for a second and replied, "Mama." Once Daddy was home, we all tried to decorate the Christmas tree with ornaments, however you just weren't all that into it this year. Coupled with the fact that you are going through a phase right now where you are completely ANTI-camera, equaled Mama going a little insane. You are one of the most headstrong kids I know, which is something I adore about you, but mix that with me being one of the most headstrong people that Daddy says he knows, and look out! I guess my frustration mainly comes from wanting to capture every second with you, but I know sometimes I need to lay down the camera and just enjoy the moment with you. Give me some time to work on that kid, I promise I'll try. Ok?

Along with your awesome response to my question at dinner, I was super grateful and tickled when you were my little helper with the dishes tonight, helping me completely empty and load the dishwasher. It's pretty cool that you're getting old enough to actually start really helping with chores. Growing up before my eyes!

you found our stockings and decided to put them to use, in a new way, a little early

checking out Rudolph on the tree

Friday was your big Christmas show, which you have been practicing for all month! Memaw and Papaw, Lao Lao, Memaw Lisa, and of course Daddy and I all came to see you and were so excited for your first big recital. You were a bit timid and all of the kids in your class looked like a "deer in headlights" as you all stood up there on stage, but we couldn't have been prouder of you. I clapped my butt off when you were done, cheering for you like mad as I lay on the floor in the aisle trying to get the best shot of you up there. I finally understand how those maniacal looking parents feel as they watch their kids' school programs. Daddy and I wore Santa hats so you could easily spot us in the sea of parents. You did a Christmas Conga line at the end as the big finale, with all the kids and teachers in your daycare dancing through the audience. I got some good shots of you and filmed it too. Then afterwards, we all came back home for pizza to celebrate. You enjoyed yourself more once the pressure of the show was off, and while you didn't make a peep during the whole Christmas program, you sung the whole song for all of us at home and did a great version for Daddy and I in bed at bedtime. Luckily we got that one on film, (you little stinker).

lining up with your classmates (you're the little one on the left in the red pants)

Before the show, you, Daddy and I were trying to take a timer picture of us in front of the Christmas tree. You had Memaw, Papaw, and Lao Lao cracking up as you insisted on "setting the timer" on your Hannah Montana camera, right next to mine, and then leaping into the picture with me. However, we looked more like a Laurel and Hardy episode as every time my timer would be set, you'd act like there was a problem with your camera. It was too funny. We FINALLY got a couple mediocre, but comical, shots. Thank goodness! But the process of the whole thing was so funny, it was worth the "frustration".

silly girl

having fun with the Advent calendar that Papaw brought over for you

Saturday night we went over to Wai Gong's for our annual Christmas dinner and movie night. We watched Christmas Vacation and you sat and watched the whole thing! Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Micah came too and it was so nice to see them. I love to hear you laughing and enjoying spending time with family. Your giggles and smiles are like music to my ears, warming my heart and seriously, what can keep me going on even my toughest of days. Aunt Lindsey sat watching you and said quite a few times that night, "Gosh, I just love her", as she smiled at you fondly. Not only is it awesome to see you enjoying your family, but awesome to see so many of your family members adoring you right back. In fact, you and everyone were enjoying these shenanigans so much that you managed to stay up until 1:15am!  Which wasn't really so bad except that you got up at 7:15am to start the fun right back up again! You woke up so happy, giggling and being silly almost as soon as you opened your eyes. Wai Gong said that he loves these early morning times with you. I have to admit, me too.

enjoying the new dancing Frosty that Wai Gong, Memaw Lisa, and Uncle Blaize gave you

laughing at Wai Gong

admiring all the freshly fallen snow the next morning

And as if this wonderful fun wasn't enough, we just got back from a glorious Christmas dinner and family gathering at Memaw and Papaw's. Uncle Kevin, Aunt Beth, Joey, Alex, and Sammy were all there too and you girls are completely and absolutely hysterical together! I haven't seen more running and squealing in a long time with the four of you going crazy together, playing some sort of cross between hide and seek and ghost in the graveyard game that some or all of you made up. I love to see you having so much fun. You are getting to know them all and your playing together gets better and better every time you see each other. In fact, Daddy and I were joking around about what a great weekend you must have had because you had two accidents in your pants this weekend. The reason we are saying that it shows it was a good weekend is that you were having too much fun to stop and go to the bathroom. See, there's a silver lining for everything.

Anyway, once you had an accident tonight after dinner, we took off your clothes but you refused to put your jammies on, so while we continued to take pictures of all you girls playing, our kiddo (YOU) was the naked one in the midst of everyone else with clothes. You crack me up...you just love being naked and since you are all girls, what the heck! You were pretty exhausted as we left and so weren't being very agreeable to hugs and kisses goodbye. However, it was so cute when Sammy (who is about 8 months your junior) leaned in to put a big kiss right on your lips. So sweet.

Wilkinson family in a winter wonderland

you girls were SO silly all night!

So, as the title of this post says, watching your Christmas show and then spending all of this time with family, has really brought the Christmas spirit to my heart, finally. Less than two more weeks until the big day, and I am looking so forward to celebrating this holiday with you. I used to think that Thanksgiving was the big holiday to feel thankful for things, but this year, I am feeling more thankful now as we close in on Christmas. Blessings are everywhere, and I am so grateful.

Love,
Mama