Christmas Lights...Everywhere!!

Maliana ~

I got these pictures on Tuesday while I was at work and I can't tell you how much I love these sneak peeks of you at daycare!

reading a sight words book to your class!

playing Legos with your friend, Cassidy

And a funny Mali-ism to start the week (as shared on Facebook):

~ very thankful for our security system...according to Mali, it helps protect us from "Roberts"...and we all know how dangerous they are.

Hump day had us helping at the pantry again...so good to give back, plus getting to spend time with Memaw and Papaw is an added bonus for sure! I wasn't sure when I picked you up at school that day if you'd make it through pantry or not, but when I arrived at daycare, you ran and leapt into my arms and gave me (and all your teachers) big hugs so I knew you'd had a good day and the stamina to head to pantry. I love it when you have had a good day!

We were surprised on Thursday with an invitation to come over to E's house so you girls could play. You were stoked, to put it mildly! It was so nice of them to have you over, feed you dinner, and let you girls completely weird out all night. We love the Yersaviches something fierce!

I woke up sick on Friday morning and since Daddy was home getting ready to head to Notre Dame this weekend, he was able to take you to speech so that I could go to urgent care. A rocky beginning to the weekend, but between the meds and the following pictures that were emailed to me at work...my day got a little brighter.

attempting chopsticks

how sweet is it that you are creating
art about how you love your dog?
(actually made me say "how
sweet" out loud at work)

exploring instruments

you are always so proud when you get to
help with the calendar!

I also attended your first ever IEP meeting at school (which went very well - no surprise there) and as we walked to the car you saw your daycare teacher, Miss Amanda, picking up some of your friends at the elementary school. You insisted that you needed to say hi to her and made me race the bus all the way back to your daycare so that you could give Miss Amanda a big hug for the weekend. I just love that you feel so close to your teachers...and by the smile on her face when she realized that we came back just so you could give her a hug, I could tell that you really made her afternoon. I love that about you!

While it was a drizzly, grey and rainy day, there was no way we were going to let that dampen our attending the Easton tree lighting that night. We swung over and picked up Aunt Tina and Erin and headed to Easton. Luckily, the rain held off and we enjoyed a chilly but beautifully bright evening in the magical glow of the newly lit Christmas tree and all of the other thousands of lights that adorn this gorgeous area this time of year. It all looks so majestic, like you are stepping into a holiday movie. While we strolled around, it was fun to see you and Erin skipping while holding hands, squealing, laughing, acting rambunctious, and thoroughly enjoying one another's company. It makes me feel so good to see your friendship growing as you are both getting older. We made sure to step into the Cafe Bistro in Nordstrom's for some dinner and then on to get some hot cocoa and of course Fuzziwig's for candy before leaving. It was a terrifically simple and spontaneous evening of fun...great way to kick off the holiday season!

I love how you are looking up at E...oh, how you adore her!

fun night with these awesome ladies

you both held hands nearly all night...
it was adorable!

we love the HUGE tree at Easton!

I also have to mention a funny conversation we had on our way over to pick up Aunt Tina and Erin. You were chattering away from the backseat and told me that you wanted to have two kids when you are a grown up, but you don't want "that married stuff." When I asked you why, it boiled down to you not wanting to have to wear "that itchy dress" at a wedding. Ha. I then asked what you thought marriage was, like, "What do married people do?" To which you proceeded to tell me, "You find the perfect person. Like Daddy found you and you found Daddy. Then you go on a date. Then you ask them to marry you." Ha ha. Yep, kiddo. You pretty much nailed it, more or less. I love asking you questions like this and seeing what your responses are...you absorb more than I realize you have sometimes. Your take on life is great.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Chinese class. Ms. Lily was her ever energetic self and you all made indian head-dresses in honor of Thanksgiving, working on your colors and counting in Mandarin. So cute!

You and I headed to the grocery store and then home to relax for a bit until it was time to meet the Fu group at the Zoo Wildlights that night. Lao Lao joined us and while it was very cold, especially when the wind would pick up, we had a really nice time and it always looks so amazing there. Once home, we were all settling in to eat a late dinner together and as you were using the restroom on your own, I heard you say to yourself, "What a fun day!" So adorable...I couldn't agree more!

telling Santa that you want the LPS Rescue Tails
Center and Planes toys

you and Delaney, eating your decorated cookies

checking out the aquarium with Lao Lao

you and Delaney, picking out your favorite fish

saying hi to Scuba Santa ~ this was SO cool!!

After a cold couple of evenings, we were due for a little warmth and relaxation and so we had a lazy Sunday, beginning with dinosaur banana pancakes...

Then hung around the house, cleaning, organizing, and starting to get out decorations for Christmas. Yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I just can't help myself!

Daddy came home in the afternoon and we were very happy to see him! Good for us all to be under one roof again. It was a simple and lazy evening after that. I guess I wore you out this weekend because you ended up falling asleep in my arms just before bedtime. I'm not one to complain about a little extra snuggle time with you though. Earlier that night you showed me how wiggly your tooth is getting and I'll be surprised if it lasts through Thanksgiving. It reminded me that pretty soon you'll be too big to fit in my lap so I will take what I can get and savor it all now, while you're still my tiny little monkey.

Love,
Mama