Springtime in the 'Hood

Maliana ~

Monday I decided to pick up some burgers and corn on the cob on the way home...glad I got extra because we ended up with a full boat for dinner! I love having your friends over and being able to feed all of you kiddos...in fact, I am already beginning to get very, very sad when I think of some of them moving away. But alas, such is life and change is inevitable...and change isn't always bad. Thankfully, there are so many ways to keep in touch in this day and age...hopefully you can still grow up together in spite of the distance!

I love it when we get to be "that" house on the block!

Devrick, the oldest in the photo above, has always had a special place in his heart for you, and vice versa with all of us and him. Ever since we brought you home, Devrick has always gone out of his way to be a sweetheart. On this particular night, he stopped by and chatted with me for an hour (while you played like crazy with the neighborhood kids) before I invited him in while I cooked dinner and you all moved your shenanigans inside too. We talked about all sorts of things, including the fact that one of his friends was also born in China, adopted by her parents here in America, and was born with a cleft lip and palate just like you too. We talked about her and I asked all sorts of things that I wonder about you as you get older regarding the trials and tribulations that you might have to deal with in school and in life. Knowing how difficult kids can be, I asked if she was ever teased about anything, to which he replied, "No...and if she does get teased, her friends stand up for her." He then added, completely unsolicited, "Mali will be fine. She'll do great. She's one of the cool kids." It was such a simple statement, but my heart melted. That Devrick must be an old soul because he knew just what this mama's heart needed to hear in that moment. Straight out of the mouth of a kid who is living in the ruthless jungles of middle school, some of the toughest years around when it comes to peers and finding your niche and identity in school. I am so glad that an expert such as himself has such a high opinion of your abilities to work through what those years may hold for you.

Tuesday was Earth Day and so we celebrated by making peanut butter/pine cone/bird seed birdfeeders...very messy but a lot of fun!

a little motorcycle ride before making
the birdfeeders

you and Bubby

Juan and Brooklyn

so, so messy!! we had to turn the
hose on all of you!

Wednesday, I hate to admit it...but Mama got, well...broken. Without going into a lot of details, we'll just say that one too many sassy back talks and a bit too little cooperation makes Mommy go a little bonkers and essentially snap in half. Not one of our finer moments, by far. But...we survived. And still managed to salvage some fun out of the evening when all was said and done.

getting a little fresh air and "helping" Zach
mow along with your buddy, Bubby

you found a bottle cap on our evening scooter ride and
said, "Mom, I want to take care of the Earth!",
insisting on taking it home and recycling it

Thursday evening brought some play time and a little scooter ride through the neighborhood, once with the neighbors and once on our own...picking up trash that had blown out of trash cans or simply been tossed, keeping in line with the spirit of Earth week. Sadly, we ended up with a whole bag of it to throw away (and it made me realize how careless people can be) but it actually turned out to be a strangely exciting scavenger hunt for you kids. Cleaning up the neighborhood while having fun. All in all, a good night.

By Friday, poor Daddy was sick and stayed home from work. I picked you up straight from your elementary school in the afternoon and after taking care of some stuff at home, we decided to let Daddy get some rest and so we headed out for a scooter ride and run. I was pretty impressed as you made it 3 whole miles with me! I was so proud of you and it gave us a super opportunity to chat and enjoy each other's company. We even got to see one of my favorite spring-time flowers, the bluebells. You were a chatty Cathy all evening, giddy and full of all kinds of comments and questions. During bath-time, you told me that I was the best mommy ever and Daddy was the best daddy ever. Such a sweetheart. That's when I knew how much of a good day you'd had.

we stopped to check out my favorite spot in spring...

the bluebell patch on our trail!

I don't know about you, but I love having
all of this beauty right outside our door!

wrapping up 3 whole miles!

Finally, at bed-time...well, I'll just show you what I posted on Facebook. You are such a hoot!
~ M must be getting desperate for stall tactics at bedtime. The latest two questions while tucking her in: "Why are bats real?" and "Why are my nipples so small?" 
Ha ha!

This weekend was a busy one for us. On Saturday, we attended your Uncle Dustin's 7th annual memorial at the Park of Roses. It was nice to see and spend time with so many other people who love and miss Dust as much as we do. Plus, it was nice that you got to spend some time playing with Aunt Lindsey's step-daughters (offically now!), Cate and Ellie. You all got along so well...it was a major bright spot on an otherwise somber day.

we love you, "Uncle" Dustin...always will

listening to Debbie give her speech

walking to the balloon launch site

getting ready for the balloon launch to Heaven

Honey Bee came by to remind us to Donate Life...
just like our hero, Dustin

the whole group from the memorial

Cate, Ellie, and you on the playground

getting along so well

Once we got home, you played outside for the rest of the afternoon, running around and riding bikes. Something in you must have clicked because you became determined to learn to ride your bike without training wheels. You practiced and practiced as we watched. I had to run to Lowes to get some dirt and flowers to plant and as soon as I left, your determination became even more fierce. You really wanted to surprise me when I came back and by God, by the time I got home you were riding in circles in the court with all of the other kids! The look on your face was priceless and I could barely wipe the stupid grin from my own mouth as I watched you too. I was so proud of all the heart you put into figuring it out all on your own. Spills and all, you tackled it. Hang on to that fierceness and tenacity, kid. It will definitely come in handy in your life.

Brooklyn, Addison, Bubby and you...
cruising

Here's the first video of you practicing and wobbly on your bike before I left for Lowes.

And click here for another video of you...riding like a champ just less than an hour later!!

helping me pot some flowers with your friends

Sunday was your Uncle Forge's Court of Honor for achieving Eagle Scout. It is a big accomplishment and high honor for him and I'm glad we were there to help celebrate. You and Daddy also arrived early and helped set up, but you had to leave before the actual ceremony so that you could attend your first private swim lesson. But, before I get to that...here are some photos from Forge's ceremony. Way to go, Uncle Forge!

turns out you were the first person to sign Forge's guest book

Lao Lao is telling you about the pin she'll get
during the ceremony

standing with the Eagle Scout

Forge and his buds

Forge and his friend, Aubrey

taking the oath

Papaw Rick giving him his certificate

Papaw Rick, Lao Lao, and Uncle Forge

As mentioned before, while the rest of us enjoyed these Eagle Scout festivities, you headed off to your first ever private swim lesson. Daddy said you did great and from the videos he showed me, I could tell! You even swam on your own with a pool noodle, something I find hard to do when it's just me with you. I'm such a nervous Nellie when I get you in the water, it's nice to have an objective third party to help encourage you with these lessons. Evidently, there was also another man there sharing the lane with you during the lesson who took notice of you and made a comment to Daddy that in spite of your initial nervousness, you were all smiles once you hit the water. Awesome. I sure hope with a few more of these lessons, you will be all set for our beach vacation in just a little over a month!

learning to cup your hands

trying out the kickboard

And finally, once home you played a ton more in the neighborhood before finally coming back inside for the evening, completely exhausted and spent from the weekend. All in all, it was a very good couple of days in our 'hood.

this picture captures your personalities perfectly, ha.

sleepy girls, stealing Mama's spot in bed

Welcome, Spring ~ we've been waiting for you!

Love,
Mama