Maliana ~

Some giggles to start our Monday ~ here's how I shared our conversation with Facebook:

~ as Mali sorted her smelly markers from her regular markers tonight, she tells me, "See Mom, if it's not a smelly marker, then it's an edible marker"...confused, I asked her if she meant "erasable", to which she replied, "No, edible. We have a lot of these at school and they're edible!"
(Hmmm...sounds like I need to send a quick email to the teacher tonight)

The middle of the week brought Daddy's birthday, for which we sent him out on a "guy date" with Marky to go see a wrestler turned comedian at the Funny Bone.

Marky, Mick Foley, and Daddy

It's tough to fully celebrate birthdays during the week, so you and I put our birthday surprises for Daddy on hold for a bit. While he was out having a good laugh, I wrangled a bunch of 'monkeys' (aka you kids) at home. We got crazy, painted pumpkins, watched Shrek "under the stars" and at one point, you were chasing each other with a toilet plunger (don't worry, it was brand new and never been used). Jenny from next door came over in the middle of everything and asked, "What are you giving them in there...crack?!? They're so happy!!" Ha. I could barely think straight or sit still all evening and cleaning up was interesting what with all of you like mini tornadoes throughout the house, however it was worth the craziness when you climbed up on the couch with me before bed and breathlessly exclaimed, "That was fun!!"

"Mom, this is how artists do it"

now both of you are holding your palettes up to
your chin just like artists

watching Shrek "under the stars" (aka a little cosmos
projecting machine we normally have in your room but that
I rigged up for you kids in our bedroom)

Your daycare will send me pictures of you throughout the day (which I love) and this week was an awesome week for visitors as you had some policemen and firefighters come to your school. After having gone to the fire station just last weekend, this was right up your alley!

high-fiving a firefighter!

here, you made edible fire!

Here's a Facebook Funny for your Friday:

~ listening to a 5 yr old sing Katy Perry's ROAR from the backseat of my car on the way to school is probably one of the cutest/funniest things I'll witness today. #babygirlwasfeelin'it

Saturday was a crazy busy day for us all. We began the morning at your mandarin class and got to see lots of old and new KCAP friends. Slowly but surely, you kids are picking up the language.

playing a counting game

We made a brief stop at the store on our way to Erin's 8th birthday party at the roller skating rink. You took a little while to get used to your skates again, trying so hard to keep up with all of the older girls. However, before we knew it you had tossed your skate mate aside and were doing it all on your own. Once Katy Perry's ROAR came on, you got a little fancy and even ditched holding on to Daddy's or my hands! Hot shot!

fueling up on pizza and cupcakes before skating

ready to roll!

Aunt Tina was awesome with you (she
is just the best) and evidently, you
are a fan of arm flapping on
skates ~ look at 'em go!

look at you! your expression says,
"I got this, Ma!"

oh Daddy...

After skating, we headed to Uncle Joe's brother Tom's house for a good old fashioned pumpkin carving party. The weather was gorgeous and it was really nice to hang out with everyone. The older girls were so sweet to you and you were really having fun with them. As Aunt Tina and I sat and talked, we couldn't help but laugh at your smiles and laughter while playing. We had to enlist Erin to help us get you to the car when it was time to leave because you weren't about to willingly leave with just Mom and Dad. So glad you had so much fun.

drawing on your pumpkin's face

learning to carve it yourself

that sharp tool made me so nervous!

Once we left the pumpkin party, we jumped in the car and headed out to a bonfire with some of your favorite teachers ever from La Petite ~ Ms. Beth and Miss Brandi. Normally when we get to a new place, you are a bit clingy with me, however as soon as we got to their house, you immediately went right to Ms. Beth for some lovin' and to catch up with each other ~ she had been like a second mom to you and it was so nice to spend time with both of these wonderful women.

Ms. Beth

chatting

Miss Brandi

Sunday morning Daddy took 'the girls' (you and Abby) for a hike at Hoover. You all had a great time singing "A Hiking We Will Go" as you explored the forest and I got a lot of stuff done while you were out.

looking for 'bad guys'

As I began packing your lunch for school the next day, I found the note that I had put in your lunchbox from Friday...you had saved it and told me, "That way you can reuse it, Mama". Lao Lao later told me that when she picked you up from school last week, you dug around in your backpack and found more of my notes to show her. I love that my love notes mean something to you.

Sunday afternoon we had a family pumpkin painting contest. At one point, you were complimenting another person's artistic ability and said, "That's BAM!" (aka "That's the bomb!"). Ha. I love when kids are first learning slang words...so cute!