Hubey from Hawaii...

Maliana ~

Fun, fun week and weekend...just tonight you shed some more light on your imaginary friend. "Hubey" used to be a fairly ornery boy cow, but just recently Hubey has been making many more appearances in the family and now we have learned that SHE is a girl (you graphically notified us of this by saying she has a butt AND a vagina ~ well, OK then...at least you know the proper terms!) and that you brought her home from Hawaii. She came to the grocery store with us on Saturday morning, and if she hasn't been other places with us, she has been a big topic of conversation. Unfortunately, we all keep stepping on her and she keeps getting stuck on our shoes, (in spite of her being 3 years old and just slightly shorter than you). Ha ha. It's fascinating to me to see your imagination at work, and neat because I too had an imaginary playmate of sorts as a child, except mine was a baby gorilla.

So, the beginning of the week was a little bumpy. You have been pretty hard on Daddy lately, in full-on "Mommy mode", wanting me to do EVERYTHING for you. It's been pretty tough for Daddy not to feel rejected, but Tuesday afternoon you asked, "Where's Daddy?" and when I told you he was still at work, you said, "I miss him." Seriously made his day. Then we came up with 'Mali and Daddy time' in the evenings now, where Daddy watches you for about an hour and a half, while I go to the gym to work out. Then I come home and put you to bed. It's nice, because as I am getting ready for the gym, we all play silly games throughout the house, like hide and seek and hootie hoot, with you squealing and laughing the whole time. While I was gone one night, Daddy taught you the "step wiggle" dance to James Brown music. You guys were doing laundry and as you went up the stairs, you stepped up, stopped, and wiggled to the beat. It is hysterical! Then when I come home after my workout, it's nice to relax and have that cuddle/playtime with you.

Daddy helped you hide in this bag and scare me when I came home from the gym

playing 'Dr Tea Party'

It's working very well to improve you and Daddy's relationship too as you have grown a ton closer to Daddy over the week, even offering up big hugs and kisses by the end of the week when he dropped you off at school or kisses on his cheek as he gets you dressed in the morning. Another way you start Daddy's day with a big old smile on his face as he drives to work.

Tuesday you and I made a new recipe, spinach and cheese quiche. You LOVED it! Then on Saturday, you helped me make crescent rolls and a lasagna, particularly liking to sneak bites of the cheese filling or the sauce when I wasn't looking. You are getting to be quite the little chef, and I love having a helper in the kitchen. And I showed you the trick of putting Tupperware away in our horribly booby-trapped cupboard...you jammed some containers in and quickly slammed the door shut, shouting, "Mom! I did it!" Quite an accomplishment in this house. Ha ha.

putting in the noodles

spreading on the cheese and spinach filling

busted! sneaking a bite

all done and so proud!

Not sure if this is just coincidental or not with all of the cooking, but you have also been a little more willing to try different foods too this week. I just love nurturing your enjoyment of food and cooking, highlighting eating healthy and of course, exercise. Speaking of which, Miss Jessica told me that you were doing yoga at school one day, right before I picked you up. She was cracking up at that. You have been watching Daddy and I like a hawk, with Daddy working out and doing his P90X and my going to the gym. Making sure you are active and see exercise as fun is so important to us, it's cool to watch you get into it. And you are so thoughtful as I head off to the gym in the evenings, making sure I have my ear buds and walking me to the front door yelling, "Be careful! Don't fall!" You are so sweet. You also told us today that you want to try karate this spring or summer, after looking at the various activities at the community center with me. That should be lots of fun and I can't wait to get you signed up. I'll learn a lot too as I have never done any martial arts at all.

You got to see a lot of Memaw and Papaw this week, with them coming to watch you on Thursday night and then you going over to play with your cousins at their house on Friday night. Daddy and I got to go out on a date on Friday (very much needed for us!) and you were so excited to see Joey, Alex, and Sammy. You sang the whole way there on Friday, and my God, you know practically all the words to the songs we play in the car, ("Hey Soul Sister", "Baby", "Party in the USA", etc). Daddy and I were amazed, and taken aback when you insisted that you sing them by yourself, and even scolded us for talking too loud in the front seat, saying "Mommy! You're talking! I can't hear!" You also informed us that "Justin Bieber my buddy" ~ oh boy! Anyway, once there I was feeling a little bit guilty for going out two nights in a row this week, but as I stood there at Memaw and Papaw's house on Friday, you were settling in with your cousins for dinner and looked up at me and in all sincerity said, "Go eat, Mom." Well, I guess there's no need for guilt, huh? Ha ha.

no need to worry about me!

Saturday night was really fun! We had the Neuhausels over, Fred, Michelle, and Mia. You were shy at first but then warmed right up, and by the end of the night you and Mia were BFF's! You put make up on each other, ran around with a stroller and shopping cart, pottied together and cracked each other up as you made fart noises in the bathroom, cuddled in your Mickey Mouse sleeping bag, danced, and of course, used the Daddy's for horsey rides. Fred made the comment that you both reminded him of two little old ladies with your crazy make up, shopping carts, and helping each other put on your boots and coats. Too funny! My only regret is that my camera flash crashed right at the end of the night, so I didn't get to capture the adorable "faces smooshed together, tightly squeezing around each others' necks" hugs that you and Mia gave each other while saying your goodbyes. It was absolutely priceless! At least we all have that etched in our memories though. You girls are awesome!

pre-make over

applying Mia's makeup

lipstick for Mali

hold still Mia!

look how pretty (and proud of ourselves) we are!

snuggled in the sleeping bag

ready for Hollywood

Mia made cupcakes for dessert!

I think they hit the spot!

monkeys in a cage

Daddy horsey rides are the best!

Sunday morning, our toilet broke, so you and Daddy went to the store to get a part while I went running. You were so excited to be Daddy's little helper, and equally excited to surprise me with a working toilet when I came back from running, saying "Close your eyes" and leading me into the bathroom.


We went to Bei Bei's dedication at church this morning, and you girls looked so cute together. You brought your big purse with a bag of trail mix in it, and Bei Bei enjoyed carrying it around the lobby. We don't put you in dresses or tights that often, and while you look adorable in them, we are also reminded you are quite the tomboy. I wish I had gotten the camera out to capture how you were sitting at the reception afterwards, legs up and in a squat, elbows resting on your knees, dress pulled way up and tights all showing every which way. You will definitely be a candidate to wear some sort of shorts under your dresses for quite a while. Ha.

two cuties!

They had a stage in the reception room after the dedication, and you got up there as we walked out, and actually sung quite a bit of your songs, like "Baby" and also "Just the Way You Are". You had minimal intimidation, so perhaps you'll be some sort of entertainer? Who knows. But in my opinion, you definitely have that X-factor.


After church, we all were tired and took a HUGE family nap. Longer than we expected but we all felt so refreshed afterwards. We took a late night trip to Walmart to stock up on essentials for the coming week, and it was a million times more enjoyable trip as a family than either of us going alone. And you did your routine 'check yourself out in the security camera' thing on the way out. You just love to be on TV! See? Like I said, you could be in entertainment someday, who knows?

Love,
Mama