Super Stoked, Bro!!

Maliana ~

Bad day at daycare to begin the week so what did we need to do? Go swimming at the Y, of course! What's the old adage? "If they're crabby, put them in water" ~ definitely wise words right there.

my fish

my sweet kiddo

Daddy let me get some 'mommy time' on Wednesday this week (which really helped) and you both made me laugh when I pulled into our neighborhood. Evidently, he had taken you shopping and you bought some new TMNT knee and elbow pads, as well as a new bike helmet and cushy seat cover for Daddy's bike...so I got to see this (below) when I pulled into the top of our neighborhood. You both crack me up!

hardcore badass bikers

waiting for me to pull in the neighborhood

that face!

We wrapped up the week with a visit from Audrey (who was celebrating her last day at work on an insanely demanding and frustrating job ~ yay!) and a crazy evening with the neighbors with lots of hanging out, eating pizza, playing charades and even a game of truth or dare until almost midnight. All of you kids were so jazzed up by the time everyone went home that you ended up throwing together a suitcase for the beach. 12 sets of jammies and a bag of random toys...not quite totally prepared for vacation yet, but definitely excited for it!

Mike, Sophia, you, Lenna, Milo (the kitty) and Cori

rocking out at packing

Saturday I took you and your buddy Jocelyn to a birthday party for some of your friends (twins named Hailey and Jordyn) at Magic Mountain. You all had a blast and wore yourselves out, even getting to ride the go karts (finally tall enough ~ yay)! Afterwards, Jos came over for a while so you guys could play. As I drove you both to and from the party, it dawned on me that you are already getting to the age where I am officially becoming "mom, the chauffeur". I'm becoming that "friend's mom" who is always up in the front seat, the one that I used to ride behind in so many car rides with my friends' moms growing up. I am probably already becoming completely uncool in your eyes and quite possibly my sole responsibility (aside from driving safely, of course) is being reduced to making sure the radio is set to the latest top 40 hit so that you and your friends can jam along. As I stole glances in the back, I saw you and Jos chatting with each other, telling secrets, or singing along, completely immersed in your own little world. It was adorably bittersweet...as every part of your growing up has been. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

just after cake and ice cream

waiting to get on the go-karts

my go-kart co-pilot

That night, you and Daddy had tickets to go to the local professional wrestling circuit's show. Daddy was so excited to share this with you, finally having a fellow wrestling fan in the family. You were pretty tired as you left with Daddy so I was worried about how the night would go, but you perked up with excitement once there.

getting ready for the main event

Sunday was a lazy day. Slept in and woke up to sunshine and the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. I went running with Aunt Tina and you hung out at home and played. When I got home, we laid on a blanket in the front yard just talking and goofing around until Lao Lao came by briefly. Then later on in the afternoon, Daddy took you swimming while I prepared some more for our beach trip (leaving on Friday!! woot! woot!). And you finished the evening with a bike ride with Natalia, to which you'd been looking forward to ever since she invited you a few days prior.

enjoying the peace of the morning with Juan
#neighborhoodwatch

hitting the trail with Lali

So, normally I wrap up these blog posts on Sunday of the new week, but with our big beach vacation coming up, I thought I'd just continue on until we hit the road ~ Beach or Bust! On Sunday night, as I tried to get all of us ready for bed, I was reminded of the finite times you will continue to do things as you get older. For instance, you refuse to go to bed without me and will either wait (stalling any way you know possible) so that you can come to bed at the same time as me, or even go to bed early just so you can snuggle with me and go through our bedtime routine together. The latter is actually pretty remarkable considering you're a kid and most kids would do anything to get out of going to bed earlier. It hit me just how much you actually enjoy being with your daddy and me. And it feels really good. I know you won't want to do this stuff forever, so I'm pressing pause and trying to enjoy every second now.

Tuesday was your annual craniofacial appointment and unfortunately, I had to work (to get things a little bit ahead for vacation time) but Daddy was able to take you and even took you on a date to Katzinger's Deli before your appointment. You had fun and did amazingly well at your appointment, cooperating with everyone (even the ENT and getting x-rays!).

sitting in front of yummy Katzinger's!

playing seek and find with a student doctor

In fact, you did so well that Daddy promised you a trip to $5 Below for a prize. He had to work that night but I took you and we ended up stopping at Target as well to pick up some more stuff for our beach trip. While looking for new flip flops and sunscreen, you actually expressed an interest in clothes shopping (I was stunned!) and so of course I hopped on that opportunity to buy you something that you actually liked (instead of trying to take a stab in the dark without your input). It was fun to actually watch you trying on clothes (and enjoying it *gasp*)! Here's the winning outfit you picked out for our vacation...I'd say you liked it. Some might even say you were "super stoked, bro"!

as you flexed in the mirror, you told me,
"I've been eating a lot of chicken"

You were definitely in rare form as we finished up our shopping and headed to the cashier. Love, love, love spontaneous and carefree nights like this with you. You are my heart, comedian, and shining star all rolled into one. How did I get so lucky?

*sigh*

Anyway...so it's Thursday evening now and we are heading to the beach tomorrow morning. All of us are finding it hard to believe that the day has finally come. Suitcases are packed, arrangements have been made for all of our animals, work is about as caught up as it's going to get, and the rental mini-van (which you are completely stoked about because "it has phree rows, Mom!") is in the driveway and ready to be loaded in the morning.

I guess all that's left to say is...Bon voyage, kiddo ~ next time I post anything else in this story I'm writing for you it will be filled with pictures of sun, fun, and sand!!

Love,
Mama