The Bomb Dot Com

Maliana ~

You were so excited to tell me about these cookies this week and ask if I would take you to Kroger straight away to get some after school. I'm so glad you did because they are delicious! Or as you called them, "the bomb dot com"! Ha ha.

Later that night, all hopped up on sugar from the cookies (I'm sure) we headed out to putt-putt, just you and me. Back at the Westerville Golf Center, we had a great time and I got a little nostalgic to see that they had put the old "Tony the Tiger" back up after they remodeled. This is the very same big tiger that I distinctly remember them having at this putt-putt course when I was a kid! The thing has to be over 30 years old! Traditions, baby, traditions.

You had a spectacular audiology exam this week. Nothing to be alarmed about, it was just a routine part of the annual comprehensive exam that you normally get through the craniofacial clinic. I am happy to report that you passed it with flying colors. It was all done within about 20 minutes and so we had the rest of the afternoon to spend together. We hit Knight's Ice Cream and then took off on an adventure to the Shale Hollow Preserve up north. Audrey came along with us and since none of us had been there before, it was a brand new experience for everyone. We waded through the shallow water of the creek that wound its way through the forest, finding cool pieces of shale that we skipped across the water, looking for little minnows and water-skaters that were swimming all around us, and basically exploring the entire creek bed with (almost) all of our senses. You thoughtfully brought along your bug hunting gear so you were all set to investigate!

gear's on ~ ready to go!

creekin'!

the water was so cold!

leading the way for us through the shale creekbed

And finally, that same night as we headed to bed you were flipping through your yearbook from school. I noticed you kept wiping your eyes and that you were on the verge of crying. We talked about what was bothering you and you told me that you are just so sad that you won't be able to see Mrs. Fitzpatrick next year. It broke my heart. We talked about how missing her and crying when you're sad are both perfectly normal, that we can always go back and stop to visit her from time to time, how being nervous about next year is also ok and that most of the other kids in your class are probably going to feel the same way, and about how many of the other first graders are likely going to turn out to be friends that you just haven't met yet. Then I agreed to frame a picture of you and Mrs. Fitzpatrick from the last day of school with you immediately asking if we could hang it above your pillow in bed. So sweet. I always hope that you like your teachers as much as you have this past year and while all of us parents hope our kids have a wonderful experience in school, it can also be bittersweet because it makes moving on all that much harder. Such a tender little soul you have.

this is the photo that will be watching over
us at night...you with your Kindergarten teacher

And as if that wasn't enough...it was like some sort of magic had conjured her up because the very next morning you and Daddy were behind Mrs. Fitzpatrick in the drive-thru line at Tim Hortons. You followed her to your elementary school where she was going in to prep her classroom for the new school year and actually got to talk to her about how you felt and how much you missed her. She reassured you that she'd be right down the hall and that she would make sure to come find you this year. How awesome is that?!

Daddy has been working nights this week and has been able to do a lot of things he normally can't. One of them was bringing Abby in to see your friends at daycare...the kids loved her and you really enjoyed showing off one of your fur-babies!

And speaking of Daddy being home, I got a text one afternoon towards the end of the week asking if he could go pick you up early because he was missing you. How sweet is that?! You are very loved, kiddo.

He loves all of the extra time he's been spending with you lately and also took you foot-golfing with Lalie and Roman as well. You had a blast riding around in the cart with Lalie and playing a trick on Daddy. Here, click the following link and see for yourself:

Playing a trick on Daddy!

stinker!

Saturday morning you woke up excited because your friend Jocelyn was coming over for a sleepover. I went out to walk the dogs that morning and when I came back you had a surprise for me. You showed me that you had cleaned both your playroom and your bedroom (without being told to do so) and telling me, "It's not even Sunday yet!" (since Sunday morning is your assigned cleaning day for your rooms). Then you kept me company during my morning run, riding your bike alongside of me the whole way and even asking to hold my hand for a little while as I ran. We decided that it was our first 'special trick' for the "Mommy and Mali" show (your idea)...Ha ha. You are such a sweetheart, and were definitely feeling in a very generous and blissful mood in anticipation of your buddy coming over later.

Once Jocelyn came over, we were going to head to Superhero Day at Easton but it ended before a huge rainstorm had completely blown through the area, so we had fun going putt-putting and then out for Knight's ice cream instead. When we weren't out golfing or eating ice cream, the two of you played and played in your room together until we finally had to chase you into your PJ's, set up your sleeping bags, and start the Lego movie for you downstairs. You and Jocelyn play so well together and I adore watching you flourish in your friendships. Seeing how much you enjoy yourself like this makes it a little easier to bear when you shrug off my hugs or kisses as you try desperately to assert your independence. I didn't expect to be an embarrassment or an aggravation to you so soon and in all honesty, it's been a little hard to fully prepare myself for all of this pulling away when you've been such a snuggle-bug and sometimes even a clingy kind of kid in the (not so distant) past. However, I know that this is all normal and healthy in your development and I'll just have to find a way to get over the temporary sting I feel as you enter this new phase in your childhood. You're growing up, whether I like it at every step of the way or not. So bittersweet.

the professional businessman and Super Woman

with your game faces on before the putt-putt challenge

playing in your room

Suzy made herself comfortable for the movie too

With all of the snubs from earlier in the evening, you and Jos both ended up kicking Daddy out of bed and sleeping with me that night since supposedly you had heard a "squeaky bat" that scared you. You both promptly fell asleep and even slept in until almost 9am, with you rolling over and snuggling with me in the wee hours of the morning just like you've always done. You may act like a tough kid in front of your friends, but when it comes down to it, you still kinda like having your mama around.

breakfast

recuperating after your sleepover

Only about one and a half more weeks until school officially starts so better rest up as much as you can before you have to march into your classroom as an official first grader...here's a little motivation for you to study hard this year, Munchkin.

future doctor?

The sky's the limit, Dr. Q. T. Patootie!
Love,
Mama