Fart the Skunk, Mama Bear Strikes Again, and Autumn Moon

Maliana ~

I got to attend a Disability Job Summit/Conference for work at the beginning of the week so Lao Lao helped out with picking you up on Monday. I'm so grateful for her help and never worried about you when she's with you.

enjoying the butterflies at Blendon Woods

 

you are pretty darn good with a camera

 

silly picture I texted to you because you wanted to
"see me" while on your outing with Lao Lao

and equally silly picture you texted me back
in response to my text to you

And you discovered the Naked Cowboy of NYC on YouTube this week...making those new RED cowboy boots I just bought come in mighty handy. Ha!

Naked Cowgirl of Gahanna

~ "Ding Ding Ding" ~ Proud Mama Alert ~ Picked you up from school on Wednesday and Ms. Beth reported that you were the only kid in class who was listening and following directions, so she rewarded you, and you alone, with a timbit for being such a good example and leader for your peers. Way to go little lady! So proud of you!

That very same afternoon you and I snuggled on the back deck under blankets and read books and watched Bob the Builder under a cool and slightly sunny autumn sky. I love this particular weather. We noticed the leaves are just begining to change colors and outside is the perfect temperature for cuddling with someone you love and enjoying their company (and their body heat).

Just before sunset we headed to Hoover Dam with Lao Lao, Abby, and your big girl bike. A fun and relaxing activity to end the day...well, kind of relaxing. You actually climbed all of the stairs at Hoover yourself, rode your bike back (and forth) all the way across the dam and then played on the playground, finishing by riding your bike back up a hill to the parking lot. You wore yourself out and there's nothing like getting the smell of the cool air of the outdoors on you just before bed.

Unfortunately, by Thursday my grumpy Mama Bear was awakened, right in the middle of your tang soo do class in fact. Everything was going great, and then during sparring a little boy bulldozed you across the gym and pushed you down, not only once but twice. It was supposed to be a no-contact sparring activity and this child took it way too far. And that's putting it mildly. He was bigger than you and probably figured that he got away with it once, why not do it again, and harder the second time. I let it go the first time, thinking that maybe this kid was just a little overzealous but unintentional. When I saw you go down hard for the second time, I had had it. I screamed, "Hey! Don't push her down again! That's the second time!" while pointing at the little offender. The gym came to a screeching halt. You were fine. But it was the principle of it all and the fact that this kid thought he could get away with picking on someone smaller. Now, I do want to mention that I don't blame the instructors at all. They have so many kids doing so many things and typically do a spectacular job given the demands of the class. Fortunately, after my outburst they addressed the issue with the whole class and turned it into a lesson. It worked out well. Even after class they came over and apologized that they hadn't seen it, that they should have been watching closer. Like I said before, I didn't blame them at all, simply saying, "My Mama Bear came out" with a sheepish grin. On the way home, you and I had a nice conversation about bullies, what to do if it happens again, and even talking about what makes some kids act like bullies. It turned out fine. Eventually, my adrenaline went back to baseline levels before bedtime.

That same drive home, you showed me something you had in your jeans pocket from school. Thinking it was going to be some toy you had swiped from your classroom, I was surprised to see you pull out another stray piece that had loosed itself from your silkie. Thankfully you had the wherewithall to save it so that I could reattach it later. We actually have a small sandwich bag full of "fallen soldiers", casualties of too much lovey lovin'. In fact, your most favorite "fallen soldier" I had to reattach right into the middle of your silkie so as to reinforce it a little better. Ahh...the things we parents do.

yep, that's what we are now calling your "nubbin"
in the middle...reattached "fallen soldier"
right there, nice and dirty from having
been EVERYWHERE with you

Saturday...or also known as the first day of autumn (yikes, really?)...was a good day, a very good day. Woke up and met Audrey Ayi at Gena's for breakfast and then we all headed to tang soo do. It was the first time Audrey got to see your tang soo do and you were more than happy to put on a show. We all really appreciated Audrey coming and showing you her support. After tang soo do, Audrey went to work and we headed to Hoover Dam with Abby and enjoyed the blue skies on a walk through the woods, finding all different colors of leaves and all shapes of nuts to collect. Holding your hand while you skipped down the trail, clearly pleased to be spending time with all of us together, and watching Abby zip through the woods at lightening speed made me so happy. Something so simple can bring such joy. I love this time of year!

climbing trees with Daddy

in spite of the chill...you just had to dip
your toes into the water...brrr!

After nap we headed to the Autumn Moon Festival for our COFCC group. It had turned decidedly cold as the sun got closer to setting, so there were only a few of us brave souls left by the time we got around to marching in our lantern parade. However, it was still a very nice time and always great to see all of these families come together to celebrate. Happy Autumn Moon and Happy Fall!

moon cake

marching with your eyes shut tightly so
as to avoid Mommy's camera
(little stinker!)

having fun plunging off the stone wall with Cass and Mia

working out your upper body

 

you and Mia chased each other around the
playground a ton...great way
to keep warm!

conquering your fear of crossing this
part of the jungle gym

no idea what's going on here...

braving the cold for a little Autumn Moon fun

One thing I do need to mention from this week, that particularly made your dad and I chuckle, was your sharing with us that we now have a new sort of member to the family. On the way to school one morning, after smelling a skunk, you were inspired to begin an entire monologue about how we actually have a skunk that likes to ride on the top of my car and whose name is "Fart". Yes, Fart. As the weekend wore on, Fart the Skunk's backstory grew and grew and grew some more. Given your hilarious enthusiasm for regaling stories about Fart, I have a strange feeling that Fart will be with our family for quite a while longer. Oh boy.

We slept in on Sunday while Daddy went to slave away at the office (boo). After breakfast you helped me clean the dishes and I couldn't believe you only needed a stool to reach the sink now. Wasn't it just the other day you needed a kitchen chair? My, how fast you've grown! *sniff, sniff*

We played a little "Star Wars Goes on Vacation" too...(your idea)...and when I asked if Darth was allowed to go, you replied, "Yeah, because he said sorry to his son." Ha ha.

all of your Star Wars toys lined up to
go on vacation

After we got dressed, we headed to Sharon Woods for some bike riding, walking, and playground time, then we had lunch at Panera and dessert at Orange Leaf with Lao Lao. This weekend we've been outside in the fresh air so much that I honestly haven't felt better in a long long time. My stiff neck/shoulder is even feeling looser. Being outside in the middle of nature is some of the best medicine around.

insisting on finishing listening to "Sunshine on my Shoulders"
by John Denver before getting out of the car

hot stuff on your bike at the park

home stretch...you stopped for a bit
to smell the goldenrod

you love your frozen yogurt...and this place was cool
because their spoons were shaped like guitars!

Daddy came home later and we all headed out for one more walk with Abby before it was time for bed. A great wrap up to a great weekend, the first of fall and we are all looking forward to many many more just like this one!

Love,
Mama

P.S.
Just a quick note about Daddy and one of the reasons that I love him. Not only was he willing to read you the same bedtime story twice in a row, but the second time he was reading the story "No Bears" to you in Mike Ditka's voice. Just google the video for 'SNL skit Mike Ditka Go Bears' and you'll likely figure out why this strikes me as so funny.
Love you both!

Independents' (aka Mali) Day Festival

Maliana ~

Began the week on a date with Daddy to the park and rocking out to the Beastie Boys in the car on the way home, where Audrey Ayi and I had been busy making dinner and icing cupcakes for you. Not a bad way to end your Monday and start your week..

Tuesday brought more park time with Mom and Abby...the weather has been gorgeous so Abby and I picked you up from school and we hit up Dairy Queen for dilly bars and then got all static-y from the slides at the playground.

your self portrait right before we slid down the slide together

I realized a parallel of you and I as children this week too. Nothing big, just a funny detail. Lately you have taken to saying that you can see certain things (that possibly the rest of us can't see) with your "light eyes". Upon further questioning, I think you mean that your "light eyes" glow, or emit light, and agreed that these were more like super-hero eyes (think Iron Man), not necessarily magic. It reminded me of my own statement as a child, where I too told my parents I had super eyes and proclaimed, "I can even see.....(dramatic pause)....through wood." It struck me as funny that we both imagined ourselves with special eyes that can do amazing things. Wonder what that says about us? Hmmm...I'll let you ponder that one.

Friday night we went to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Uncle Forge's high school. Just before leaving we got a knock on the door. It was Roman, asking "Can Mali come out and eat Pop Rocks with me?" Ummm, sure. Why not? I think it's cute that Roman wanted to share something like that with you...and I know you loved it too.

Pop Rocks!

We had fun at the spaghetti dinner and got to check out the high school. Lao Lao graduated from Big Walnut too, so it was fun to take some pictures of you both in her alma mater.

Big Walnut senior rock

Saturday we got to see them pouring cement as they fixed the court across from our house...since you've spent a lot of time watching Bob the Builder, this was uber cool to you.

heavy machinery = awesome

Then we headed off to a marathon of classes, first your KCAP Chinese dance class at 9am and then your tang soo do at 10am. It was a bit hectic but we made them both (barely). While you weren't so into your dance class (it was your first of the year so I wasn't surprised you were a bit uncomfortable), but you had definitely gained your confidence back by the time you were kicking and punching and kee-yahing at tang soo do!

neither you or Mia were having any of that dance class!

Home for a bit and then we were off again to the Independents' Day Festival...a collaborative of artists of all sorts had gathered for a miniature art show and food truck extravaganza. I have no idea how many years Columbus has been doing this but it was our first time. It was good good fun...love being around people who just enjoy expressing themselves creatively and encourage others to do so as well!

tracing our feet with the sidewalk chalk

clearly you spent a lot of time creating with
that chalk ~ just look at your jeans!

learning how to pick out sunflower seeds so you
can do the same thing with our mammoth
sunflowers at home!

convincing Lao Lao why you must have a
moustache cookie

mission accomplished!

at least I got a bite!

very cool section where people painted with their feet
while they danced to really loud techno music

your second favorite part after the sidewalk
chalk was creating with clay

Once we were finally home, I was pooped. Uncle Joe, Sam, and Erin came over later to watch some football and you were so excited to see E, shouting "E-R-I-N!!!" from the porch as they pulled up in their car. I hope no children had gone to bed yet, because they were up now! All in all, it was a very busy but fun Saturday.

On Sunday we woke up early and you, Abby and Daddy headed to get donuts while I went running. But not before we had played some of your favorite games of "Baby, Mommy, Daddy"..."Let's go on vacation!"...and "Diner". It never fails on weekend mornings. You wake us up and want to take us into the playroom as soon as we open our eyes. I love your imagination. I just need to find a way to wake mine up a bit earlier on the weekends.

And finally when we checked the mail for the weekend, you found a card from your friend Mia. You have exchanged cards and little trinkets through the mail before but it's been a while since you've sent each other anything. You loved her card with stickers and even some tattoos and immediately wanted to make her a thank you card, even asking how to spell "MIA" and "LOVE" at one point, however you would not let me see the finished product stating that "only Mia can see it". You were so excited, you couldn't even wait until morning to put it in the mailbox.

your card on the left (showing off the back of the
envelope) and Mia's on the right...I love that
you have a pen pal at 4 years old

eager beaver

No matter how much technology changes and shapes our lives, there's nothing that compares to getting something through good old-fashioned snail mail.

Love,
Mama

Apple picking? Already?!

Maliana ~

I love your enthusiasm to show me or tell me what you've done the minute I walk into school. I also love how you are already thinking about what you want to be when you grow up (right now it's either a hip hop/breakdancer or a firefighting ballerina). Over dinner tonight you had Daddy and I cracking up, showing us how you learned that the inside of your eyes turn red when you pull the bottom lids down, or how your imaginary friend Manna had "someone" tell her to turn off Barney and come to dinner and therefore you didn't want me to do it to you either because you didn't like it..."Mom, when someone is watching their show, just let them watch it! (insert your exasperated sigh here)" (ha ha, nice try). And I love how you were so proud of your name-plate you made at school, complete with a little flower drawn (with good detail) on the bottom, that you wanted to hang it on our bedroom door because, as you told us, "I have a good idea! Now you can see it every time you go to work!"

the sign proudly hanging on our bedroom door to
remind us of you every day before work

I also love how you drink your cocoa out of the mug that Ggma got you for Valentine's Day like a little grown up now...

crossed legs and everything!

This week we are trying something new. Daddy is going to work out in the wee hours of the morning and I am going to work a little bit later to accommodate his new routine. The only snafu so far has been you waking up and following me down to the elliptical at 5am. You sat and diligently watched the DVR'ed Democratic National Convention with me the first morning, then waited patiently while I showered and crawled back into bed with you until Daddy got home and took over. But what actually broke my heart is when you began to cry because you did not want me to go to work...completely tore me apart. You are just not used to spending time with me in the morning because I am usually at work by the time you shake the sleep from your eyelids. Nonetheless, you were appeased by my promising to think of you all day, send you hugs with my mind and heart, and also bring you a surprise after work. I'm not sure which of those three things was most appealing but by the time I headed to work, you were again fast asleep. Thank goodness!

After school Audrey Ayi came over for a visit and we had a silly dinner and then a raucous game of hide and seek with some new crazy flair ~ adding a squirt bottle as ammo for the "seeker". It makes being found a little soggy but very hilarious. Ha. You also incorporated your sense of smell into your seeking tools. Audrey noticed you sniffing the air as you tried to find your masterfully hidden Mommy (I must say I'm pretty darn good, hee hee)...and I had to stifle a laugh.

After our nutty game, you took a break with silkie. I love how you've been using it lately...

a silkie mustache

and of course I can't forget to mention you
and Audrey's really fun popsicle stick puppet show!

Friday we headed to Lynd Fruit Farm for some apple picking with our friends Sue, Lian, Michelle, Mia, and Freddy. It was a hot hot afternoon, but by the time we were done picking, playing, and shopping in the market, we drove through a nice rain to cool things off on the way home. I asked you a question as we drove through that storm that made me laugh when you replied, "I don't know, you're the boss!" Ha. Seriously? What a nut!

we had the entire golden supreme section to ourself!

picking the perfect apple

first taste = delicious

getting a boost from Mom (Sue and Lian)

Mia, Michelle, and Freddy

crunch!

Mia, Lian, and you

something about all of you girls, and your pose
 in particular, makes me think "album cover"

having fun with Freddy in the playhouse

excited to take home some trail bologna
from their market

While I stayed home and figured out what to do with all of our apples, you and Daddy headed off to tang soo do on Saturday morning. You were one of only two kids who had their sparring gear and since there was a competition that morning, you graciously shared your gear so all the kids could participate. You even helped the kids get suited up in it too. It was so nice that Master Circle and Master Han honored your generosity with some generosity of their own and gave you a gift certificate for 30 min. of a private lesson for free! What a great way to kick off the weekend! So proud of you and so grateful that such a wonderful do jang (and all its staff) is so close to us!

Daddy texted this one to me as "the faceless fighter" ha ha

ready to spar!
(your gear is so big, it's hard for you to even bow)

Lao Lao came over later and we decided to make apple crisp with at least some of the gobs of apples we now have.

it turned out great!

Then Sunday morning called for a walk with Abby in our matching owl jammies (your idea for the jammies). Three years ago I may have thought twice about marching around my neighborhood like this...but now that you're here, what other people think matters even less. We're here to make memories, after all. Wish I would have realized that sooner, and I hope you never forget that what other people think or say matters very little, if at all.

Oh, and by the way...all those streamers are because we transformed our living room into a "rock concert stage" last night. Yeah, that's how we roll on a Saturday night at home.

During our "jammie walk", we got a nice compliment from a passing car. A lady and her son were driving by, slowed down, and said to us, "Lookin' good!" Then our fortune continued as we passed a buckeye tree and loaded your pockets with buckeyes to take home. We even saw instructor Stanley-Wolfe from tang soo do (who just happens to live in our neighborhood) driving by and he stopped to say hello as well. Nothing like a morning walk in the mild sunshine of late summer to start our day off right!

found one!

my favorite little nut and her buckeye

You had a date with Daddy this afternoon while Aunt Tina and I went running at Sharon Woods. From what Daddy told me, we should probably bring a tip jar with us when we take you anywhere. Evidently, you drew quite the attention of passersby as you watched your own reflection while dancing to Daddy's phone playing Beastie Boys. I guess you were really bringing the moves too. The best part about it is that you generally have no idea that anyone is watching you. You're just clearly in the moment and having fun. Love that about you.

Every morning when I wake up I'm not sure my heart can hold any more love than it already does for you, but then I prove myself wrong each night as I climb into bed, realizing my love for you has just multiplied itself ten fold in one day. And it will happen all over again tomorrow too. Amazing.

 

Love,

Mama

 

oh, and P.S.
I have to share this little tidbit that had me freaked out and impressed all at the same time this week. On Wednesday I got a call on my cell phone, from Dr. Pearson. Your surgeon. He said that in spite of the scope and fluoroscopy not working out, he wanted to go ahead with the surgery for you. He feels that he knows what needs to be done and is confident he can do it, even without the imaging. I questioned him, expressed my concerns, and generally tried to take it all in. He was wonderful and patient with all that I had to ask and say. I was very impressed that he personally took the time to call me and discuss the options at this point, and freaked out to think that it might all be happening faster than I had thought it would when we left the hospital after your fluoro. But, hey. At the end of the day, I am looking forward to moving on and being able to put all of this behind us again. We can do this. One step at a time. With the strength and love of our family, and the talents of the amazing team at Nationwide Children's Hospital, we'll be fine.