Mama's Memories for M: 5 Year Check Up, St. Patrick's Day, and Silkie Goes Missing

Maliana ~

This week you were ever the little helper around the house...

mastering how to fold socks

helping me "clean" the mixer beaters after
making a cheesecake (almost) all
on your own

And I'm also feeling pretty darn lucky to have finally found the magic time to get you to spill the beans on your day at school. Over the years, I've found that riding home in the car is usually not it, since you seem to prefer vegging out after an intense day of learning and playing...however once we've settled at home, I've got you all fed and bathed, and you are snuggled into me after reading books for bedtime, you are more than willing to give me a blow by blow tell-all of your day right there in the dark, as if we were two girlfriends chatting at a slumber party. It's fabulous. I love hearing what you pick and choose to expand on about our time apart, and I've also heard that going through your day just before bed is a great tool to help commit more of your life to memory. It's a win-win, I'd say!

Audrey got to come over for a visit this week too, so we celebrated with a barbeque style feast in honor of spring coming. We also tried to dye Easter eggs with a new technique, shaving cream and food coloring. It didn't really work out all that well, and was hugely messy, dyeing more of our hands than the eggs...but boy was it fun!

Audrey Ayi is so goofy!

We got a break from speech therapy this week...so we took advantage of the free morning and had a milk and cinnamon roll "tea party" with the real porcelain tea set that Lao Lao had given you for Chinese New Year. You loved pouring our milk "tea".

such precision

This week we made our annual trek to see Dr. Dan and get your 5 year check up which also meant we had to get your kindergarten boosters. 3 of them! Yikes! We love Dr. Dan for many reasons...some of which include how he made it up to you (having to get all these shots) by giving you a sticker, some licorice, a dollar, and of course, we can't forget his guitar! You LOVE his guitar and the private concerts he gives at our office visits. He was even about to go see his next patient (trying to stay on schedule I'm sure) when you said, "Hey, what about your guitar?" and he went ahead and took the time to bring it back in and play several songs for you. He is by far one of the BEST doctors I've ever known. Truly loves what he does, it's totally clear. Exceptional dude, that Dr. Dan. And in more good news...you've gone from 5th to 10th percentile in height, and also have about 20/30 vision (so we may not need glasses yet after all!) Anyway, so glad you are officially cleared for kindergarten. Yay!

helping Dr. Dan strum...and he even let you keep the pick!

In keeping with the theme of you growing up...I noticed you posing and inspecting yourself in front of the mirror later that same night too. When I asked about it, you told me "Mom, I look different now (since turning 5)...but my nose still looks the same. Why is it like that?" (referring to the way one side of your nose dips down slightly due to having had the cleft). So, we talked about your cleft, how everyone has different noses and features, how I have a big mole on my nose (and how I love my nose, mole and all), and also how a distant family member once broke their nose when they were little and that now it actually has a similar shape as yours. We brainstormed together about all the cool things that our noses can do for us...sneeze, breathe, snore, hold up our glasses, smell, etc. Then talked about how the world would be really boring if everyone looked the same and how it really doesn't matter what any of us looks like on the outside, what matters is what's on the inside, in our hearts (actually, you were able to finish that one for me ~ glad you are familiar with that lesson already). Finally, I wrapped it up by taking your face in my hands and telling you, "Be proud of yourself. Love yourself. No matter what. You are special and amazing just as you are. I love you and you deserve to love and be loved, every single day." You gave a little, "Mooomm" with a slight eye roll, but I think you got it. You went to bed smiling and I breathed a small sigh of relief. While I know that this won't be the end of these talks about self-acceptance, there will be many many more, no matter what your beginnings were like. It's just a part of growing up for everyone. However, I am thankful that this particular talk seemed to go okay. I love you kid.

Saturday was a special day for you with the number one reason being that it was your Grandma Date Night (!) at the Melting Pot, which you have been looking forward to since your birthday party. You got all dressed up and were so excited. Daddy and I were not allowed to come (grandmas and grandkids only!), but we snuck into the restaurant to snap a few pictures of your date night anyway. So glad you get to do such special stuff with such awesome ladies.

all dressed up

Memaw, Lao Lao, you, and fondue!

mmm...chocolate!

Super Grandmas!

And finally for the weekend...the luckiest day of the year (St. Patrick's Day) turned out to be a bit unlucky for our little clan. It actually began splendidly with us braving the cold to meet the "O'Yersaviches" downtown for a parade and then the Irish Family Reunion at Vet's. We were having a good old time when a particular "tragedy" of sorts struck...I don't know if Silkie had one too many Guinnesses and wandered off to pass out under a tree, or if an ornery leprechaun stole him right from under our noses...but while we arrived with Silkie, we had to leave without him. Somewhere during a bathroom trip...he vanished. We looked everywhere. We looked high. We looked low. But sadly Silkie was nowhere to be found. We knew this day would come eventually. That's why we have two spares at home. But still, it was a bit traumatic for you (and strangely, for all of us...I just kept thinking of Toy Story movies over and over again in my head). Once home, we quickly sewed a "nubbin" onto one of your spares, and put in an emergency phone call to Lao Lao to see if she could custom-make a replacement, pronto. However, the damage is done and our original "Nubbin Silkie" is with us no more. Therefore, if tonight you hear Taps being quietly played in the distance...it's likely in honor of our fallen comrade who bravely stayed with our troop for 5 whole years, finally taking one for the team on St. Patrick's Day 2013. This one's for you good buddy (*insert pouring a shot of Guiness on the ground here*). Goodnight and Godspeed.

a little pre-St. Paddy's Day prep while you were
out with the Grandmas on Saturday

drinking your "leprechaun juice" (aka green milk
with peppermint extract) before going out
today...Daddy was bummed I made us
all drink it, to which I replied,
"Just go with the magic!"