Happy Easter!

Maliana ~

I don’t know if it’s the weather or what, but I have felt so weighted down this week. We have had a solid week of rain, with only one single bright sunny day. I’m hoping that next week is more bright. Anyway, if this letter seems a bit blah, that’s why.

The week did start on a good note as far as you’re concerned. I’m sure you remember my previous entries where I mention a kid at school who has been somewhat bullying to you, intimidating you by getting in your personal space and what-not. Well, when I picked you up on Monday, you were excited to share with me that you were able to use what we have been practicing; looking as big as you can, staring right at him, putting your hand up in a stop motion, and telling him “Back!” as loudly as you can. I guess it went well because you were pretty pleased with yourself by the time I got there, and you later told me that he is nice now. I have no idea what actually happened, but I’m just realized that you seem to be feeling a bit more empowered now. Way to go girl!

As soon as we left school on Monday, we raced over to your first speech therapy appointment. It was mainly a meet and greet where the therapist talked to me about you, but we did get an idea of how things would go. At one point, as Miss Ashley and I were talking, you came over and said, “What are you talking about?” You could tell we were discussing you, but didn’t quite fully understand. I explained as best I could, trying to be very encouraging and normalizing. You are just so dang perceptive and sensitive. I also couldn’t help but feel a bit sad in a way. I know that this therapy will be a challenge, and you potentially could need an additional surgery to close the “leak” that they suspect is there, in order to build up the air to produce certain sounds better. As we drove home, I just kept wishing I knew how all of this was going to go, so that I could spare you any disappointment or frustration along the way. I guess it’s the first time I felt any anxiety about your speech so far. Believe me, I am proud of you beyond belief, but I just want to do all that I can to help you through this…and I guess I just wonder (and worry a bit) if I am up to the challenge. We’ll see. I’ll definitely do my best.

Once home, a couple neighborhood kids came over to play with you, and you all got your first ice cream truck treat of the season. It was cute to watch you hanging with the other kids, playing in our yard, officially moving into the ranks of the “big kids” lately. You even kicked me off the deck, saying “Mom, we playing!” My how you grow so fast!

gotta love your mismatched band aids

just before you kicked me off the deck

Tuesday we took Daddy (and his coworkers) ice cream treats to work. You liked visiting everyone and, as always, were a big hit in the office.

Audrey Ayi visited us on Wednesday. You invited her into your “lair” (aka your tent) and plucked around on your guitar with her. Actually, Audrey plays the cello so we’ll definitely have to go over to her house sometime and you can watch her play that big old instrument. I’m sure you’d really get a kick out of that.

chord lesson from Audrey Ayi

Thursday, the only sunny day of the week, I couldn’t help but really want to do something fun outside and so we took the opportunity to make a complete mess and dye Easter eggs on the front porch. It worked out great and you really loved it. You were having so much fun, I just let you explore and play…in spite of the nearly permanent green stain on your hands (which is only just now about all the way off)!

plunk!

posing while you wait

it's changing color!

my miniature incredible hulk

insisting on writing on the eggs after they were dyed, despite my instructions otherwise

peeling and sampling your work

not too shabby kid

This particular night, I had book club, so you headed off to Memaw and Papaw’s with Daddy, but not before you played for one last time in that darn box of yours with Cassidy and Ace.

the box was sadly retired after this play session

Memaw and Papaw had an egg hunt for you at their house, as well as your Easter basket. You had fun, performing your hula dance to “On My Way Home” for them, and feeding them candy with your little green hands.

look at that smile!

The next morning, Friday, I got a phone call at 7:30am, with Memaw going on and on about how sweet and fun you are, how you are such a character. She also told me that Papaw just goes on and on about you after you leave, saying how precious you are. (I have to absolutely 100% agree!)

When I picked you up at school on Friday, you were having your spring party, and having a blast with all of the decorations and treats with your friends. Evidently you must have really been in good spirits because Miss Adrienne told me, “Mali is so awesome! Her personality is just ‘out there’!” Not quite sure what that means…but you are definitely a favorite there. I can only imagine what kind of antics prompted that comment. Ha ha. On the way home we talked about how the Easter bunny was coming on Sunday, and you said, “Easter bunny nice, he no hit”…well, umm, yes, that’s correct. I had to laugh, nothing like pointing out the obvious. Of course, these random descriptive comments are a good indicator for the climate at school…a yardstick for how the world is measured in the eyes of pre-preschoolers.

gummy bunny teeth from your spring party

That night, you were so silly, laughing hysterically and barely able to settle down to sleep, the kind of crazed laughing where you can barely breathe and nearly everything is funny. I love those nights…even if it means you don’t actually get to sleep for much longer than it should take.

Saturday morning we got up fairly early to take part in our first race, the Bunny Hop 5K and Easter Egg Hunt. I ran the 5K with you, Daddy, and Lao Lao cheering me on, then you (Miss Big Shot) ran the kids’ 100 Yard Dash. You were awesome! So many of the parents ran alongside their kids, but you did great all on your own. You loved the t-shirt you got, the cheering, giving high 5’s while you ran, and of course crossing the finish line. You loved it so much that Daddy snuck you into the older kids’ heat, just after all of them had passed, and so you got to cross the finish line again. When Daddy set you down, you were like a wind-up toy, taking off like mad, and making the crowd laugh out loud. You are a spit-fire!

thumbs up and ready to race!

getting stoked for the kids' 5 and under 100 yd dash

off to the starting line!

look at that form! (this was when Daddy snuck you into the back of the older kids' heat)

medal and a cookie!

the gang after the races

The egg hunt was one of the muddiest I have seen in my life. However, in spite of all the mud, we made the best of it and you had fun. Carter, Cassidy, Jenny and Bryan all came for the egg hunt so you got to see your buddies. You were a little disenchanted with the wet muddy eggs in the grass so were a little slow in picking up your loot (and boy did those eggs get scooped up quickly!), but Carter and Cassidy seemed to be old pros and made out quite nicely.

we forgot your basket, but the race swag bag worked just fine for the egg hunt

happy (and muddy) camper

with your buds and your loot

After we came home, you and Daddy took a 3 hour nap…a nice reward for a big exciting morning. Of course, not until you had checked out Lao Lao's Easter bucket for you and made her "look all pretty" with a makeover. Ha ha.

hold still Lao Lao (what you can't see in this picture is that you are wearing your "Animal Hospital" veterinarian costume while you apply her makeup, ha ha)

Easter Sunday was bittersweet. Unfortunately, Daddy had to work, so we got up early and had your egg hunt from the Easter bunny really early. Of course, getting up early doesn’t matter to a 3 year old. You loved finding the eggs, getting all excited, and then bummed once all were found. You loved the thrill of the hunt.

Mom? Why is there a trail of carrots in the hallway?

getting the hang of it now

You and I ate the Easter eggs that we had colored for breakfast, which you thought was cool as you peeled them, then sneaked the yolks to your girl Abby, the perfect accomplice.

 

We had every intention of getting much more done on Sunday, but what with my feeling so weighted down all week and your needing more rest on the weekends, we ended up relaxing and then napping throughout the day. We accidentally slept through being able to meet up with the Wilkinson side of the Easter gathering, with Daddy being on call anyway, and then not wanting to disrupt your naps on the weekend (since you don’t typically nap all that well at school), we decided to just let the day be what it was. We did wake up in barely enough time to meet Lao Lao, Grandpa Rick, and Uncles Flint and Forge for an early dinner at Cap City Diner. You got to wear your Easter dress…and we all called you Princess Mali…with you discovering the joy of spinning in a fancy dress and watching it flow out all around you. Just like I used to love doing as a little girl. We took a to-go meal home for Daddy, and while I was packing it and your leftovers up, I asked you if you wanted to take your chicken home, and you said, “Yeah, and Lao Lao too”…hmm, I don’t think we have a take-out box big enough for her kid, ha ha.

Happy Easter from Princess Mali

standing in front of the giant gumball machine at Cap City Diner

Once home, Memaw and Papaw stopped over for a visit and brought Daddy some leftovers from the Wilkinson gathering. It was nice to see them today, since we had missed everyone earlier. Memaw was hoping to get a picture of you in your pretty dress, but oh boy do you hate ruffles. It’s not the look of them you don’t like, it’s how stiff and scratchy they can feel. You couldn’t take that dress off fast enough…wearing just your puppy dog underwear and a ribbon in your hair the rest of the night. But you still looked beautiful with the late afternoon sunlight in your hair...the sunlight that decided to surprise us, a final Easter gift before bedtime.
All in all, it wasn’t exactly the Easter I had been envisioning all week, but it was a good one, nonetheless. Whenever Daddy has to work…it’s tough. But we make the best of it.

When I finally climbed into bed that night, I couldn’t help but press my lips to your plump and soft little cheek before settling in. As you lay there so peacefully, it just begged to be kissed. You smelled of sleep, and made a soft little sigh as you repositioned yourself in dreamland. Yeah, Easter was different than I expected this year, but it turned out just perfect.

Love,
Mama