My Underwear Are Tight!!!

Maliana ~

Audrey Ayi surprised you by coming to pick you up with me on Monday. She joined us for dinner at our favorite Chinese buffet and even brought you gifts. So thoughtful. On the way to dinner, you made the observation and then commented about us, "When I hear you guys together, you are like sisters. Like twins. Why aren't you sisters?" Aww. Well, I guess when you've been friends with someone for 30+ years, you get to be like sisters. Sisters of the heart, anyway. I sure hope that you can find some good people and build strong friendships in your lifetime. Based on how you treat others already, I'm pretty confident you will.

I love that you adore Audrey as much as I do!

You had us cracking up at dinner too when you announced this:
"My underwear are tight!! ... When I bend over, I get wedgies!!"
Ha ha...I guess we can *finally* throw away your 2T-3T undies (now that you're almost 6)!  #tiniestbuttinthewest

Before bed that night, we made your Valentine box for school this coming week. You were so happy to decorate it all up...I particularly love your non-traditional color choices of turquoise, white, and orange. Looks awesome!

On Wednesday this week we had such a crazy snow storm that even your daycare was closed! Daddy stayed home with you in the morning and I only worked a half day, then headed across town to pick up Suzy the foster pup from the vet where she'd just gotten spayed and all of her shots. We are all starting to fall in love with this little fur ball and I have to keep reminding myself that "we can do hard things" whenever I think about having to adopt her out to another family. Uggh. Uggh. Uggh. Of course...we could always change our minds... *wink, wink*

anxiously awaiting her arrival back to our house

she has just finished puking in my lap
(and then eating it!)
on our way home from the vet

That night you and I settled in and made the most delicious blueberry struesel muffins together (upon your request) and then you worked on your valentines for school. Good quiet evening inside, out of the bitter and blustery cold.

perhaps we need to build you a more normal fort for
hanging out on cold winter days...

I got a note this week from daycare that you had also read to the Elephant room (the 2-3 year olds) on Monday. The teachers said you did a great job and it made my heart happy to think of my big girl reading to others already! I can remember spending hours in my room as a kid and teenager, just soaking in book after book. Such a good hobby to enjoy, endless adventure right from the comfort of your own home. I see you attempting to sound out more and more words when we're out and about and it's exciting. I hope that you can develop a love of reading like I have in life...you've definitely got a great start so far!

By Friday, we were ready for the weekend. It was a good morning for both you and the pups. And remember how I had mentioned that we are all starting to fall in love with Suzy? Well, this love even extends to Suzy...from the cat! Click the link to watch the video below and you'll see what happens whenever I take the dogs, most specifically Suzy, for a walk without Pipsqueak.

We're All In Trouble Now...

Daddy had gotten a bit of a flu bug by the end of the week and was just starting to feel a bit better by Saturday so it was up to me that morning to sneak out before sunrise to work out, walk the dogs, make sure you got to Chinese class, and take you on our outing to the planetarium that afternoon. I was already so tired that morning as I finally had us all ready and was buckling you in the car to head to Chinese class. In precisely that moment, when all I could think about was how I could get a cup of coffee and sit down for just a second, you ever so sweetly told me, "Mom, you look pretty today". And you meant it. Which is all the more touching (for this mama anyway) since I had barely bothered to brush my hair or put on even an ounce of makeup that morning. I said, "Really? Thank you. I didn't put on any makeup at all this morning...do I even look like I'm awake?" (since that is why I tell you that I wear makeup) to which you replied, "Mom, you don't need makeup to look pretty!" Wow. You're not even 6 yet, and you get it. I mean, really get it. Awesome. I'll have to be sure to read this back to you when you're a teenager and being overly self-critical (as teenagers tend to do)...but hopefully you'll remember it all on your own. You're absolutely right, baby. Beauty comes from within. Always.

working on your lantern in Chinese class

it was so sweet to hear you and Lainey negotiating
the sharing of your glue stick and her crayons,
I just can't get enough of kids being kind to
each other ~ makes me smile every time

A quick break at home for some rest and then Saturday afternoon we headed back out to Smith Labs at OSU for the kids' sky show at their planetarium. We met up with several of our Fu group friends and while you wouldn't let me take any pictures of you, it was interesting to watch all of you interact. Your friendships are taking on a new tone now. You've all known each other for so long, as very young toddlers in some cases. The older you get the more you chit chat amongst each other. It's fascinating and heartwarming for me to see.

don't worry, you didn't sit like this the entire time
in the planetarium...this was just your way of avoiding
letting me take a picture ~ stinker!

had to stop in the Garden of Constants at OSU
to take a picture with the "6" since you will
be 6 soon! (you were freezing and
not the happiest with me here)

And just a little *funny* overheard at the planetarium:
Guide asks if anyone knows another name for Polaris (aka the North Star)...my kid yells, "Easton!" #firstworldkidresponses
Man...how I love how you make me smile.

Saturday evening Lao Lao came over and was so excited about Valentine's Day that she just had to give you your gifts early. One thing you will come to be familiar with is the fact that Lao Lao LOVES Valentine's Day. She always remembers her kids (and now her grandkid) on Valentine's Day. And even though Daddy and I are the ones who got the night out (thanks for big kid-sitting, Lao Lao!), how is it that we came home to you guys and found an empty bottle of wine? (well, it was sparkling grape juice, or as we call it "kindergarten wine", but still :) ) Ha ha.

Sunday, you were so incredibly stoked to have your friend, Jocelyn over for a play-date. You asked when she would get here about every hour, on the hour, all morning. When she finally arrived, you both disappeared for nearly a solid hour, giggling and re-emerging in your wild-life explorer gear and then again a little later asking to put on your snow pants and go outside to play. When you got back in, I fixed a snack and you both watched a 3-D documentary about ocean life, then came back upstairs to make your own sundaes before Jocelyn had to go home. The 3 hours went by way too fast...I have a feeling there will be many more play-dates for you two in the future. Listening to your giggles and goofy commentary was one of the best sounds all weekend.

such silly girls

and the puppy knocked them down in one fell swoop

giggle, giggle, giggle

watching a 3-D documentary about ocean life

loading up your sundaes with candy

not sure if you have quite enough
candy on your sundaes :) 

and if all else fails, let them chill out in the dog cage ~
always entertaining to a 5 and 6 year old

After Jos went home, I had to get back to work a bit before I got swallowed up by the work week ahead, but you and Daddy went over to Aunt Tina and Uncle Joe's for dinner. Always a treat...Aunt Tina is an amazing cook!

Cheers to a wonderful week ahead!
Love,
Mama