A BIG Birthday "Limbo", Arabian Nights, and...Goats?

Maliana ~

On Tuesday, as Daddy and I firmed up some of Lao Lao's birthday surprise for later in the week, you excitedly came in the bathroom with me as I brushed my teeth and asked, in all sincerity, "So, Mama...what's the plan?" Your eyes were all lit up and the curious and hopeful look on your face was so priceless. You were so excited to be a part of making Lao Lao's birthday memorable. You said, "I know all about the limbo..." (aka limo that Daddy and I are booking to surprise Lao Lao after dinner on Friday) and also came up with all kinds of other sweet ideas to help out. I think the sweetest thing of all though is your thoughtfulness for someone else. Love that about you!

Wednesday was filled with much of the usual until just before bed time when your sore teeth that were bothering you so much as you tried to eat dinner gave way to an actual wiggly tooth ~ your first ever legitimately wiggly tooth! You leaped onto the bed and wanted to show me right now! It was very exciting and you are pretty stoked to have your "grown up" teeth finally on their way.

"this one, right here!"
(the gap between your teeth is getting
bigger because your adult tooth is
pushing them apart!)

Abby was not quite as excited as you were about wiggly teeth

After the wiggly tooth excitement, more was in store for us as Thursday was Halloween! I have been so nervous about this day for a while because it was the day of your kindergarten fall party that I had coordinated for your class. I unwittingly volunteered for it (per the PTA), but I am happy that I did and even happier to report that the party went off without a hitch. To my surprise, everyone really liked the candy corn bingo and it was priceless to listen to all of your reactions when you came back from the costume parade through the school to see your room with all of the place-settings filled with treats. At one point, you came over to me (out of the blue) and gave me a hug saying, "Mommy, I love you" ~ so sweet. I loved being able to help out and was thoroughly impressed with how nice both the parents and all of the children are. Mrs. Fitzpatrick said you have a really nice class, which is so good to know. One of the other moms even showed me a video on her phone that she had taken where her son was being dropped off at school and you came running up to him, yelling his name, and saying, "Alex...what's up?!" It was so cute.

It was so wet and rainy by the time we left the school that day we had to race to the car (laughing as we ran) and still ended up getting pretty drenched. When we arrived home, I thanked you for letting me help with the party because I had had so much fun. I then asked if I could help with another party and you told me, "Sure, anytime!" I feel very fortunate that I can participate like this...for as stressed as I can get at times, I try not to take a single second of it for granted.

Fast forward to later Halloween night, you were so tired that all you wanted to do was pass out candy (and were pretty darn excited about it, too!) The way that you hung out by our front door and waited with the bowl of candy, then how you ever so sweetly handed out each piece to the beggars who came by was so cute.

anxiously waiting for your next customer

We did this for a while until Daddy and Lao Lao came over and then we turned out all of our lights and headed over to Blake's mom's house to see Allie, Blake, his mom Cheryl, and the tons and tons of kids they had there. It was fun and you actually decided to venture out into the rain to get your own candy once you saw the kids come back with their hauls. The weather wasn't nearly as bad as all of the forecasters kept saying it would be, but it was drizzling just enough to prevent us from wanting to stay out much more than a half hour. Luckily, you got a pretty decent amount of sweets for such a little time spent begging. It was really nice to meet and get to know the various family members of Blake's at this party and two of them, Katelynn and Zachary, actually go to your school so it was good for you to meet a couple kids who could be familiar faces someday in the halls there.

you were so sweet to all of the little kids

Allie and Blake

playing Legos with Zachary and Katelynn

Recovering from Halloween and needing to get some other stuff done, I decided to take Friday off and after getting some much needed sleep, I took you to the "bowling area" as you call it (aka the bowling alley) for a fun game and some lunch before heading to school. Out of all the things we could do, you chose to go bowling and were so squirrely all morning. It was hilarious! When we walked in, there was a rather crotchety and less than enthused gentleman working the counter. He was initially rather prickly but I marveled at how your kindness and silliness was able to melt his grouchy mood. By the time we had left, he had not only stopped by our table to chat with you as we ate lunch but he had also given us extra tokens to play the arcade games. It's so interesting to me how you are able to lift people out of whatever funk they are in just by being you...your charisma is contagious.

Here you are showing off some of your enthusiasm at the alley....

After bowling, I dropped you off for kindergarten where I noticed how picturesque it looked as you walked to the front door of the school under your gigantic backpack, with the deep red and gold colors of autumn above you on the trees along the walkway. You turned to call to me and wave goodbye as you walked up to the door and a part of me wished I could do this every day. There are definitely times where I ponder my choice to be a working mommy. Then again, the fact that I am a working mommy probably helps me notice and take pause when encountering these simple but special moments all the more.

When I came to pick you up, we played for a while on the kindergarten playground that was bathed in a beautiful golden color from the surrounding oak and sycamore trees. It was spectacular ~ the epitome of fall!

That night we had an early birthday celebration for Lao Lao's 60th! Aunt Tina, Audrey Ayi, and I took Lao Lao to a fancy dinner and then home for a couple more surprises. First, you and Daddy had decorated the house and bought a special birthday cookie and card for her. You were so excited to show it all to her!

your idea to put the streamers like this so that Lao Lao
could bust through them like you had to on your
birthday...so funny.

cookie cake that Daddy had to write on himself!

we all loved your card and marveled at your
printing...also giggling at the "I Love
Mali" part...which I think was
meant to read "I Love You.
Mali" ~ so sweet!

Then we surprised Lao Lao again with a limo and champagne and just the big girls went out for a drive around town (sorry, Monkey Buns). We were going to take you and Daddy out too but it was very difficult to figure out how to get a car seat for the limo and deal with all that went into that, so instead the driver let you take a quick spin around our block before the big girls headed out for a couple hours. That seemed to help make it a little easier. You seemed appeased as you hopped out of the limo and waved to us as we drove away. Evidently you tried so hard to stay up and wait for us to come home at 11:30 but fell asleep in the middle of the living room just before we pulled up.

your 1st ride in a limo!!

*almost* made it!

Saturday you got to spend some more time with Lao Lao on a date at Easton for some Melting Pot and shopping. Since it is her birthday weekend, she brought over some pictures of herself as a baby and some other memorabilia that you were interested in seeing. I personally couldn't believe this little gem of a hospital bill...

5 days for a whopping $103.18!! wowsers!!

you asked Lao Lao to draw a picture of herself with
her self-described "tv head" as a baby...then
you wanted to draw pictures of yourself
as well as me with "tv heads" (ha)

while you were on your date, Daddy and I went to watch
Uncle Blaize in his high school production of Arabian
Nights...he did really well and Daddy and I were
so proud of him ~ doesn't he look funny
with a beard?!? we promise we'll
bring you next time!

When we got home, Lao Lao headed off on her way, but not before noticing that you had carefully and sneakily placed two notes, all sealed with tape, on her purse for her to take home. You instructed her that she was not to read these until she got home. So sweet.

We all then relaxed and snuggled on the couch until bedtime...

...then woke up on Sunday for more relaxation on a lazy morning together that included pancakes and a walk through the woods at Hoover in this gorgeous autumn weather.

Abbers!!

burning bush

writing in the sand along the water

this sign for Daddy was all your idea!! very appropriate
as anyone who knows your daddy can attest!

After our hike we went out to Uncle Kevin, Aunt Beth, and your cousins' house. We got to meet their two brand new kittens and pygmy goats. Along with their chickens, other cats, and lop-eared bunny, it's a regular zoo out there. Lots of fun!

Sammy manhandling holding Butterscotch

you holding Midnight (I was so very impressed
with the gentle touch and tenderness with
which you held each of the kittens
~ you are such a caring soul)

the goats were curious about my phone camera

In our usual fashion, we arrived home just before needing to slide you into bed for the upcoming week. We sure do burn our candle at both ends, but it's definitely worth it to spend time with those we love.

Love,
Mama