Mama's Memories for M: If You're Outside, Beware of the Tic Tacs!

Maliana ~

The beginning of the week brought your first tick of the season (actually your first tick ever). My Facebook status sums it up perfectly and includes another one of my new favorite Mali-isms.
~ After playing outside last night, we found a tick on Mali's head. Her first ever. We got it off, no big deal. As she left for school with Daddy this morning she was a little hesitant saying, "Daddy, I don't want the tic tacs to get me!" ...So everyone, please remember to check yourselves each night. After all, it is Tic Tac season.

Lao Lao had taken some time off work this week after getting back from their trip to Washington, so she came over again on Tuesday night and went for a walk (you on the bike) down the trail and to the playground with us. You were still concerned about the "tic tacs" getting you, but we all made it home in one piece.

you can't see it here, but you had a little compass
that you must have stopped to check fifty
times during our short little trek

working on climbing the ladder,
still a little nervous

water break

I lost count of how many times you made Lao
Lao go up and down the slide with you

It was so steamy by mid-week that it didn't take much to convince me to dig out the tiny baby pool from the garage for you to splash around in. Throw in a chocolate popsicle before dinner and you were one happy camper!

swim trunks and shades like Daddy

fill it up Mom!

ahhhhh!

And round two in the pool the next day too...it's been heating up this week!

uh oh! the snorkel gear is out...it's getting serious!

who needs Aruba?

locked and loaded

so lucky to have a fun neighbor like Roman
to come over and have a water
fight with you

Friday was finally here and may I just say...I love our weekly donut ritual!

Then we waited for Daddy to get home in the grass and looked up at the sky...for a few minutes at least. You are SO hard to get to sit still...my busy little bee!

Saturday morning we had your last recital for KCAP. It was Daddy and I (of course), but then you had an additional audience of Lao Lao, Memaw, Papaw, and Sammy. You were so thrilled to see everyone and couldn't wait until they arrived, asking again and again "Where's Lao Lao?"..."Where's Memaw and Papaw?" Once again, much to my surprise (and utter shock actually) you knew (nearly) the whole routine. It boggles the mind how you can be so anti-dance at practice, but then nail it at the recital. You're amazing to me. You were actually pretty nervous before we got there but once you got on stage it was all smiles and laughter, waving at me at various moments as you did your dance moves (I was just off to stage right with Mia and Lainey's moms). Your happiness was undeniable as you danced and jumped. In fact, that is one thing that several people said to me after the show, "She's just so happy!" We were so proud of you Pumpkin Butt!

checking yourself out in the mirror

Sammy even came to watch your performance!

us moms still had to get up on stage with you girls...not
as easy for us to hide this time, oh well!

your fan club

you and Sammy showing us where China
is on the map (of course, just after we
took this photo the map came off
the wall! oops!)

so glad that Lao Lao could come watch

Lao Lao snapped this picture...I love how
she captured your mischevious
little grin

Then Lao Lao brought a surprise and showed it to you after your recital...she finished your and Daddy's super hero capes! I think my Facebook post says it all.
~ Huge thank you to Carol Garrabrant who hand-made these capes so that Mali and her Daddy could become the newest dynamic duo to join the ranks of super heroes! I can't wait to see what kind of crime these two will fight together.

You were so excited about Lao Lao spending the night with you on Saturday that you insisted she drive you home from the recital that morning. We came home briefly, ate lunch, then headed off to a surprise for you ~ Iron Man was at Magic Mountain that afternoon! You were star struck. It was awesome!

you pointed out that he was much shorter in person...
so Lao Lao and I had to do some quick thinking
and explaining, but I think you bought it!

We headed to Easton later where we cashed in on a Mother's Day gift card (that Lao Lao had actually bought me last year) to get our nails done. It was your first manicure and first time seeing a pedicure done (mine and Lao Lao's). You were so curious and full of questions, but extremely well behaved for it all. Your nails turned out amazing and it became abundantly clear that you were definitely feeling like a fancy pants as we left. Ha.

green sparkley nails with smiley faces, flowers, and stripes!

obligatory photo booth fun

We had had such a good day together that I didn't even get my feelings hurt when you practically pushed me out the door (for my own night out) so you could begin your official sleepover with Lao Lao. When we got home the next morning, things had gone so well for you that you told me, "Mom, we had so much fun! We can do it again Mom, and then you can go on vacation!" Well...thanks kid. A huge affirmation of how much you adore Lao Lao, but as for me you basically were saying, "I'm totally fine with you leaving again and next time, let's make it longer!" Ha ha.

On Sunday, believe it or not, it was Daddy and my 12th wedding anniversary! Time really does fly. We didn't plan anything big but rather enjoyed a nice day at home doing a little gardening as a family and then having dinner with Memaw and Papaw. It was relaxing and perfect for us. Just spending time together is all we ever truly need. Not to mention seeing how much you enjoyed being our little garden helper was an added bonus.