Does it have to happen so fast??

Maliana ~

This week had a bit of a super hero theme to it. Your current obsessions lately have been Ironman (still not sure why but you have now chosen this to be your Halloween costume so far this year), Bob the Builder (not really a super hero but interesting all the same), and also Super Why (from PBS). I had actually ordered you some play capes in the mail and they arrived this week. You were so excited and had a blast “zooming” up and down the hallway at home. Of course, I had fun encouraging you by saying I really thought you ran much faster WITH the cape on.

cool AAA advert at the fair that went right with
our theme of the week!

We surprised a couple people at work this week too. We got to visit Lao Lao’s new office which has a receptionist who made us wear visitor badges. You were so thrilled that she actually gave you one too, and even wrote your name on it yourself (and were SO proud of that fact too!) You strolled through her office and waved to everyone like a little princess (a huge change from hiding behind my legs like you used to do). You are growing up kiddo.

nice job M!

one proud little girl

We also surprised Daddy at work too, bringing his office DQ dilly bars since it’s been so hot lately. It really perked everyone up and I loved walking in and seeing all of your cute little artwork up on Daddy’s desk, displayed for everyone to see. It really warmed my heart. You paraded around the office, just being yourself and in effect, making everyone smile and laugh.

mark this date in your calendar - you
actually chose a dress for school!

Later that night we danced to one of my favorite songs in college, “Jump Around”. Evidently it’s timeless because you still got a kick out of it, close to twenty years later.

look at those moves!

As I mentioned before, it’s been so hot lately so we cooled off by washing my car this week too. You took care of the outside, while I cleaned out the inside. You loved it and in my opinion got the better deal since you were completely soaked by the end and I was still all hot and sweaty.

all you needed was a sign,
"will work for popsicles and hugs"

Being the first weekend of August and the last weekend of the fair, Lao Lao, Daddy, and I headed out (in spite the heat) and made our traditional trek to the good ol’ Ohio State Fair. If nothing else, it’s great for people watching and this year definitely did not disappoint. We had fun doing the usual fair stuff, but I think the coolest part was a display called “Back to Recess” sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Evidently, recess is being phased out in some schools (horrible, I know), and so they pitched a tent on the midway and had all kinds of traditional recess games there for people to play. It was remarkable too, because no matter what peoples’ ages or backgrounds, everyone was picking up a jump-rope or a four square ball, playing hopscotch, shooting baskets, or playing shelf ball (that one was new to me)…and they ALL were interacting, laughing and wearing smiles from ear to ear. It was nice to see all of these people become kids again right before our very eyes. It reminded me of how important simple play is, and how you kids really do have your priorities straight over us adults who end up preoccupied (usually with silly superficial stuff) most of the time.

you and I peeking through an Ohio sign

making a sand creation

voila!
(out of all the bottles, you insisted on
the Jose Cuervo...oy vey!)

hopscotch

shooting hoops

jumping rope

thumbs up for the Bob the Builder ride

stopping in the Department of Natural Resources section on the way out

We got some rain on Saturday night and upon seeing this, you proclaimed it “Worm Day!” on Sunday morning. In jammies and all, we headed outside and collected some critters for the bug jar that Wai Gong made you a couple years ago (and that we are STILL using ~ thank you Wai Gong, Memaw Lisa, and Uncle Blaize). I love that you are the kind of kid that gets excited about worms.

got my shovel ~ let's go!

While we started the morning well, I think the craziness of life lately had taken its toll since you developed a major attitude and melted down as we tried to get ready for the day. It was one of the worst we’ve had with you, so out of character that I know it had to be sleep related (or maybe a growth spurt?) Anyway, it was rough, but you surprised us all by what you chose to do afterward. Among other things, you had refused to get dressed. Once the major meltdown had passed, we decided to let you “cool off” for a bit in your room before attempting to dress you again. As I finished getting ready, you stayed quietly in your room. About 5 minutes later I opened the door, expecting to see you exactly the same as I’d left you. But instead you were sitting on your bed, fully clothed in the outfit that we had been fighting with you over just a few minutes before. I couldn’t believe it. When I went in, we talked about what happened and how attitudes needed to improve, and then I said something to the effect of how we need to work together because we’re on the same team. To this you replied, “No, I’m on a different team. I’m on Lao Lao’s team.” I had to suppress a giggle. Aaahh…that explains a lot now. Ha ha. You then apologized for your behavior all on your own. Let me say that again, you apologized. all. on. your. own. It really is phenomenal how well you are able to self regulate your behavior and take responsibility for your actions if given an opportunity. Seriously, how old are you again?

Once we were all dressed and ready, we headed off to the Garrabrant family reunion where you had fun playing on the playground, running through the grass and starting a crazy water fight. I love that you can not only dish it out, but you are so good-natured about taking anything that’s given back to you too. You had a ball. In fact, you had so much fun it was really hard to get you to leave. Thank goodness we had Lao Lao there, (who Daddy dubbed the “Mali Whisperer”), to more easily get you into the car without another historic meltdown.

helping Lao Lao keep minutes for the meeting

watching the softball game with Dad

uh oh, here comes trouble!

loading up

got Lao Lao!

found another accomplice to help you

got her again!
will Lao Lao ever learn?

my silly girl

pouting because we have to leave

Lao Lao = the Mali Whisperer

You fell fast asleep on the couch not long after we got home, without our even having a chance to properly get you into jammies or teeth brushed. Some days are like that.

As I lay in bed Sunday night, I actually had a hard time falling asleep. Carrying you from the couch to bed, I noticed just how long you are getting, legs and arms dangling every which way as I maneuvered you into the bedroom. Our snuggles are already changing too, harder to keep your entire body on my lap and it seems like it’s harder sometimes for you to find that perfect spot in the crook of my neck into which you can nuzzle your face (although I hope it never gets too hard for you to find that spot). You are just growing up so fast right before our eyes. In less than a month, you will be 4 ½ and then 5 and then kindergarten! I can’t believe it. Where has my baby gone? There are reminders every day of how much you are changing, nearly by the minute. Like the other day you made a joke with me when I asked how one of your shirts got in with your Tang Soo Do sparring gear and you said, “Maybe it walked in there?” It was the first time I really noticed how mature your sense of humor is getting. I loved it, and at the same time it was bittersweet. Don’t get me wrong, I am beyond excited every time I notice something new. I am thrilled and eager to see the kind of girl and woman you will become. The only nagging question, the one that tears my heart strings to pieces and keeps me up at night is, “Does it have to happen so fast?”

Love,
Mama