Bike Rides, Recitals, and Warriors!

Maliana ~

Summer may not officially begin until June 21^st around here, but we sure have been celebrating like it’s summer. On Monday, I was having an emotional day. I guess the worries that all moms have (you know, being terrified and overwhelmed imagining that every evil in the world will afflict their little one in some form or fashion) got the best of me, so instead of going to tang soo do I decided we needed to do something purely fun and carefree. You and I played hooky and went out for ice cream at Steak and Shake instead. As we walked in, you told me, “I’m not gonna throw a fit again”, obviously remembering the meltdown/showdown you and I had last time we came because I wouldn’t let you get candy out of the machines as we left. Wow! I can’t believe you remembered that AND that you felt compelled to reassure me of this too. What a memory and such great insight for four years old!

When we got home I taught you how to make beer bread and you thought that was the coolest thing ever because you got to “eat beer”. You topped the night off by going to the gym with Daddy, where you have become quite the Crossfit mascot. You bop around from person to person, encouraging them like Daddy does, and people look forward to seeing you there.

Summer is in full swing at school and one day they had a bounce house in the playground for all of you. As Daddy dropped you off, all of your friends had pulled chairs over to the windows and had their eyes glued to the men setting the bounce house up. Evidently, what Daddy saw as he left were you kids all in a row, from the noses up, pressed to the glass, watching through the window. When I picked you up that day you were tired, sweaty, and very happy after all that bouncing.

And now , a couple of Mali-isms from this week. During one of our many bike rides, as we pedaled along with you securely fastened in your seat right behind me, you felt compelled to inform me that, “Mom, you have a big butt. I mean, a really really big butt!” (Gee, thanks!) And another time, as you went to the bathroom for the third time in one tang soo do class, and I was trying to hurry you along so as not to miss any more of class, you told me that, “Mom, my poop is sleeping”…and then, “Ok, now it’s waking up”. Too funny.

the second turtle we have found on our bike rides!

By the end of the week, we were all pretty tired but we (you, Lao Lao, and I) headed to Alum Creek for their “Party at the Creek”, a free festival with all sorts of booths and activities and food. On the way there, you were looking at the huge flower baskets they have hanging throughout uptown Westerville and when I asked, “What are you thinking about?” you replied, “I’m thinking I want to give you flowers.” Then you said, “I think I want to marry you.” When I asked, “Is it because you like spending time together so much?” you said, “Yeah” with the cutest little grin. You are so sweet.

That little exchange definitely made up for the tired, grouchy mood you were in later. However, you did give us quite a scare before we left. You love Alum Creek Park since it has the choo-choo train in it, and while we all looked at the Turtle Lady’s reptiles there, you scooted over to the train and sat in the tunnel where we couldn’t see you. You were there right beside us one minute and gone the next, and I completely panicked. You sheepishly came out of the tunnel and the look on my face must have been of complete terror because you immediately began crying. I scooped you up and told you to NEVER, EVER run off like that again. It gave us the opportunity to talk about how we always need to stay together when we’re in public, discussing all of the dangers of strangers snatching you or your simply getting lost and hurt. We also talked about how if you do want to go see something else, you need to ask permission to do so. As hard as it was to see you cry like that, I’m glad it scared you too. Hopefully this little lesson, that turned out to be harmless, has made an impact and will stick with you. Judging from past history of your amazing memory, I’m sure it will.

less than thrilled to meet Ronald McDonald

the fabulous lizards who stole our attention while you made your
temporary "getaway"

We went to a friend’s daughter's graduation party this weekend too. In spite of you not really being familiar with many of the people there, I love how you jumped right in and made the best of it. You had a blast, with the kids and adults alike. You can be such a social butterfly, just like your Dad.

Happy Graduation Maddy!
(the huge dog/horse is Clark Kent)

On Saturday you had your big tumbling recital which you’ve been working so hard towards for several months now. Even though you were tired that morning, you still did great. It was a Mary Poppins theme and you were dressed like a chimney sweep. Very cute. You had quite the little fan club to watch you, and were so excited to look into the crowd and see us all. Afterwards we had lunch together nearby, with you in rare form. You were high on life, surrounded by so many people who loved you.

you are the super cute chimney sweep on the right

cutest chimney sweep I ever did see

you love Ms. Theresa, your tumbing instructor

Uncle Blaize was so sweet to bring you one of his medals
for after your performance

your groupies

And here is a video of you performing Mary Poppins' "Step in Time"...you're the littlest one on the right, closest to the camera in the back row, with the pink hat. You kept up pretty well for being with all the older kids. Of course, my personal fave moment is when you shrug your shoulders after doing the "flap like a birdie" part. So adorable!

Thankfully, you, Daddy and I all got to curl up and take a nice long nap together that afternoon. We don’t do that often anymore, but it feels so good when we do. That night you went outside and played for a while, cashing in on another one of your “free dinner coupons” with the Szwabinsky’s. You hung out with them all evening. We sure lucked out in the neighbor department. Not only do we trust Mark and Jenny 110%, but their kids Roman and Natalia are both true gems. They actually seek you out to spend time with you (sometimes Lali even texts me to see if she can take you to the park), and both of them are SO good with you. There are some influences in the neighborhood that are definitely a bit questionable, but I never bat an eye when you are with the Szwabinsky’s. They are awesome!

On Sunday I was preparing for the Warrior Dash. As you and I ate breakfast together, I was showing you a video of all of the obstacles I’d be facing on the course, (e.g. swimming through mud pits, jumping over fire, etc). You got a bit nervous for me and said, “Mom, I don’t want you to do that”, but then when I told you I’d be raising money to help sick kids in the hospital (St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital), you looked very thoughtful and then said, “Oh. I wanna do that too!” My little future philanthropist.

When we got to the race, we had to take school buses to shuttle us from the parking lot to the actual race course (or battleground as they called it). You were STOKED! I think getting to ride that bus was the highlight of your day. Lao Lao had come with us and you were to hang out with Daddy and Lao Lao during the race. By the time our wave of the race began, you were still a little apprehensive about me participating, but by the time I came around the part of the course with obstacles you could see, you were cheering for me like crazy. It may have been a pretty hot day, but there was plenty of entertainment in people-watching and I’m glad you got to see your mom do something a little nutty.

highlight of your day...riding a school bus shuttle

the littlest warrior

before the race...all nice and clean (but not for long!)

last minute high five

after the mayhem...we did it!

Once home, in spite of being worn out from the race, I was still easily convinced into taking you for a bike ride to the playground. I’m glad we did too because we had a blast. You made a new friend and we even got to see a groundhog on the way there AND back. As we pedaled home at sunset, with your tiny little fingers curled around my hips, it felt relaxing. It had been an exhausting day, but a good one. It felt like summer.

Love,
Mama