Recitals, Sleepovers, and S'mores

Maliana ~

Started the week by losing your third tooth in Kindergarten class, then bringing it home in a little baggie to place it under your pillow for the tooth fairy. That night as I tucked you in, you asked when the tooth fairy would come to get your tooth. I told you that I think she waits until you fall asleep. You responded with, "So, the tooth fairy is nocturnal"...huh, well...yep, I guess so!

your latest gap

That evening was also perfect to just hang out in the yard on a blanket (your idea). I swear, if the weather was always like it was that night, I'd never have to go on vacation. Perfection!

my view from our spot on the blanket

my favorite part of the view

Later we took a bike ride before heading inside for the night and ran across your friend, Juan, and another little boy who we learned is Isaac. He is also 6 and has the same kindergarten teacher as you (but he's in her morning class). As you rode by, you immediately asked, "Mom, can we go over there? Can I play with them?" I just love how fearless you are about joining in with other kids, seeing everyone as a potential friend. It's a good way to be.

Tuesday was a big day as you got to eat lunch at Wilder to try out your wings for next year when you are a big first grader! Daddy and I got to come to lunch too and it was so cute to watch you with your friends at those big lunch room tables. Our babies are growing up ~ it's undeniable! Where does the time go?

learning about the lunch line

sitting with your bud (Jocelyn) for lunch

I had book club this week which you attended with me since Daddy is working nights from home. You did great and actually had fun since Charis (another Fu friend) was also there.

the mascots of book club for the evening

And speaking of books and reading and learning in general...I have to mention that you also gave your first poster presentation at daycare this week. You made an entire poster about dogs (one of your favorite topics) and presented it to the class. Lao Lao even made the comment that she can't believe how advanced your school work is now as compared to when she was a kid. Later, you showed me and Daddy the poster as it is being displayed in the lobby at daycare. You are so proud of it!

I also found this belated card in your backpack (from you to me) for Mother's Day. A sweet surprise for this mama.

And speaking of sweet, we adore your current daycare for lots of reasons with one of the many perks being getting updates about you throughout and at the end of each day. The special note received on your update for Friday this week read:

Special Message

Mali shared that her mother cuddles with her, she plays with her and her mother lets her play!

Completely made this mama's heart melt.

Then I also found this little nugget too...let's hear it for a healthy self-esteem!

M - magical
A - awesome
L - lovely
I - imaginative

Friday evening was nice because we really had nothing major planned. Audrey Ayi came over for a visit and ended up staying the whole evening. Then our neighbors came over and hung out as well, with you kids playing outside until the rain drove us all in where we ate dinner, played and chatted some more. It was midnight before we knew it ~ such a late evening but a lot of fun.

hangin' on your loft bed with Cori and Sophia

reading to Sophia

you forced invited all of us to sit and listen to you
read a book of poems from school

you were so happy to read to us all
(and you've got that librarian pose down pat)

Saturday morning we woke up and went to your Chinese Arts program recital. It was fairly casual with no costumes to adorn you this year since your only class taken was Mandarin. You were so excited to have Audrey Ayi come with us and we were ever so grateful that she gave of her morning (and afternoon) to support you. She even brought you some flowers to wish you good luck on your performance!

As it turned out, there were many hysterical parts in a lot of the performances (especially in the younger children's dance classes) and we all enjoyed the show a lot. You did a great job and even recited a rhyme (with your class) in Mandarin about an apple. In English, it says: "Hello, apple. Shiny, red. Chomp. Chomp. Hello, worm. Where's your head?" and then you all pretend to spit out the apple. It's pretty funny and of course, any gross humor is awesome to a bunch of 5-6 year olds.

waiting to go on stage with Ms. Lily
(aka the big carrot)

KCAP students and teachers ~ 2014

We all went to lunch along with the Doellings after the recital. It was a nice impromptu gathering and a perfect way to celebrate the end of another year of your Chinese Arts program. I am so glad that we have such a wonderfully gifted and supportive community through COFCC and KCAP. We are very lucky.

after talking about Lainey's brother who will be coming home
soon and has a scar from heart surgery, you graciously
shared your scars both inside and outside of
your mouth...because in our family, we
all have them and scars rock!!

Christina, Scott, and Lainey...coming soon, Cameron!

driving home and...

very slap happy!!

That night we had a bonfire in our driveway and celebrated one of the neighbor's (Corie's) 9th birthday. It was one of those nights where more people on the block seemed to be at the bonfire than were at home and kids had come out of the woodwork to join in. You all had a ball making s'mores and banana boats on the fire, then eating copious amounts of birthday cake. After all of the sugar, you played with each other until well after dark, even finding some firecrackers to let off (with adult assistance, of course). The running, laughing, screaming, making up of random rules and games, and asking for flashlights (ghost in the graveyard and flashlight tag) was so reminiscent of my own childhood. Those were the kinds of nights (and I'll admit it was long, long ago) that I wished would never end when I was a kid. It makes me so happy that 1) you are getting old enough now to join in with all of the big kid shenanigans and 2) that we live in a neighborhood where there are plenty of really nice kids with whom to partake in these shenanigans. Makes me immensely happy.

bonfire!!

Cori the birthday girl (in the middle) with her friends,
Jaden and Victoria

even feeling slightly under the weather, Sophia
still took care of you all night ~ so sweet

Happy Birthday, Cori!

mastering the art of smooshing s'mores

You also had your first sleepover (outside of cousins and family) on Saturday as well, spending the night with Cori, Sophia, and their friends next door. You had a blast and stayed up until at least 1am and the bigger girls stayed up until 4am!

got this picture from Mike (their dad) in the middle of the night and captioned:
"Sorry, parents. The sleeping portion is not going so well."

The next day, Mike was so nice and included taking you along with them to Cori's birthday lunch with more of their family members. To say you were having an amazing time is an understatement. You did have a bit of a meltdown once you got home (aka back to reality) and had to work on your last homework assignment of the year, but it all turned out ok (homework was eventually completed) and by that afternoon, you were back out with everyone and playing again. That night, you had dinner with another neighbor (Addison's family) and then rode bikes until almost dark while Daddy and I hung out and shot the bull with the neighbors. You could definitely say it was a very neighbor friendly weekend. Looking forward to many more like it this summer! All in all, you had one of the most excellent weekends in recent history. You are getting to be such a kids' kid anymore and I just love to watch you bloom.

Love,
Mama