A Plethora of Positive People

Maliana ~

I think the theme for this week is how blissful it is to have people you love and who love you back in your life. If nothing else, this week has shown how evident it is that you have a plethora of these kinds of people in your life.

Here is the first illustration. Evidently, a kid at daycare has been bugging you again. We talked about it at home, but you wanted to continue talking about it and evidently seek out second opinions, telling me, "Mom, I think I need to talk to Audrey." Luckily, Audrey Ayi was accompanying us to your dance class that night so the whole way home, you both brain-stormed about how to handle various social issues that can arise. I'm so thankful for such a special and loving auntie that you clearly feel so comfortable sharing anything with and to whom you can go to for guidance as you grow up. So blessed.

Here also is a little indicator (as shared on Facebook about that issue with the kid at daycare) that makes me think that you are actually an adult trapped in a kid's body:

...So tonight we talked about what to do and thought about reasons why the kid could be acting up, like maybe there are problems at home or something like that. Mali insisted, "No, Mom. Everything's fine. I asked Morgan." Puzzled about who Morgan is, I asked a few more questions and realized that Mali had actually pulled the little girl's dad (Morgan) aside and gently asked him, "How are things going at home?"

You surprise me on a daily basis, Monkey.

The second angel in our lives that I want to mention is Jo, aka Auntie Yoyo in Colorado. She had also sent some more of her special packages to you this week. As you opened the first one, your voice took on a very specific tone. It's a sweet and tender quality to your voice that you only get when you are feeling very special and loved. The fact that Jo is so thoughtful and kind to you makes my heart all warm and fuzzy. But the truest blessing is that she is an amazing role model for all of us in her generosity, advocacy, sensitivity, sense of humor, zest for life, love for animals and friends, and in her willingness to be vulnerable enough to share her own struggles with all of us to help connect and enlighten those around her. She always seems to share reminders about life at the perfect times when I can really use them. I'm so grateful that all of our paths crossed again.

pirate gear!

Jo's letter to you and all of your loot!

even a telescope! say what?!

learning how to adjust and focus

you insisted on addressing the envelope that
held her thank you note

your thank you note to Jo

insisted on mailing it off all by yourself too

Finally, I want to highlight some of the wonderful teachers in our lives right now. You spontaneously drew a picture for your first grade teacher, Miss Stenger, one evening...

"Stenger is the best tesh (aka teacher) on the whole wide world"

...and the next afternoon you shared with me a song that you had made up about your daycare teacher, Miss Jessica, and told me about how you like to sing it to her on the bus. I absolutely, positively love that you love your teachers so much.

And speaking of teachers and school, I was happy to hear that you have made two new friends at school now. Yay! I knew it was only a matter of time but I was still holding my breath until you finally felt more at home in your new class. You also were very proud of your first pinch pot made in art class, telling me all about the technique, the kiln, and the kinds of things that we can (and cannot) put in your new pot. It was so cute.

pinch pot!

You also began your KCAP classes this Saturday. The Mandarin course for first and second graders placed you in a class with a teacher and many kids that you aren't familiar with just yet. You were a bit unsure at first, however did fine once I snuck out of the room. I knew you were in good hands when your new teacher, Ms. Aina, introduced herself to us all and made a point to tell us that along with teaching the language, she likes to focus first and foremost on being a good person, being kind, and sharing with each other. That made this mama's heart swoon. Once again...blessed with another good teacher.

We were all very tired nearly all day on Saturday, so ended up cutting our outing that night a bit shorter. We did make it down to the Oak Room gallery to see Audrey's art show which also included your artwork as well. I was able to notice things about her paintings that I hadn't picked up on during her reception and you asked some really great questions about the exhibit too. After 'getting our culture on', we walked a few blocks down and ate some Jeni's before heading home to relax for the evening.

in front of your artwork

cool mural outside Jeni's

Sunday you woke up well-rested and the whole day was superb for you. I actually woke up to your grinning face and this conversation:

You: "Mom, I had the funniest dream last night."
Me: "What was it?"
You: "Abby and Suzy were clowns and doing funny tricks."
Me: (knowing that you don't like clowns) "They were funny and not scary clowns?"
You: "Yeah, They didn't have makeup. They just had poofy hair."

I love it when you share your dreams with me.

As you ate breakfast, I went through your backpack to look for homework, I noticed that you are now writing your name in cursive. Almost all of your papers have your name written this way and I have noticed that it's been a building trend for you over the last month or more. I think it's interesting since no one has taught you how to write in cursive and I don't even think they teach it anymore in school. It will be interesting to see what kinds of things we'll see like this from you as we move forward in school.

After breakfast, we went for a family walk in the cool morning air, enjoying the sunshine and the emerging autumn colors in our neighborhood.

It was a very peaceful stroll, jazzed up by your own little dose of pizzazz. Here is your "dog-walking/family stroll" outfit...you crack me up.

Daddy titled this one, "So whatcha whatcha whatcha want?!"

While I had a ton of errands to run on Sunday, you had a fantastic day with Daddy. He took you to swimming lessons where you are getting better and better every week. Daddy also brought his trunks so that you both could swim for a while after the lessons (Daddy rocks!) and then you guys hit Piada for some more yummy noodles (which Daddy said that you "totally pounded").

As I ran errands, I was notified of something Daddy had shared on Facebook and it made me smile.

On the way to swimming lessons. 
Mali - "Hey dad!"
Me - "Yeah?"
Mali - "I can speak three languages!" 
Me - "Oh yeah? What are they?"
Mali - "Sign Language, Chinese and Ohio!"

The rest of the day you spent between our house and Lao Lao's, helping Daddy get Lao Lao even more moved in and settled. By the end of the day, she was nearly all done with only some fine-tuning of her new home left to do. When you finally came home, you were in such a loving and talkative mood. I could tell it had been a terrific day. It just goes to show how important spending time with our loved ones and being helpful to others can be; it can truly work magic in our lives.

Before Lao Lao left for home, you went on a bike ride with her. She had needed some help getting her seat lowered and so naturally, Daddy came out to help her. As you pedaled away, he overheard you say, "See, I have the best dad ever!" ...so along with all of the wonderful other adults in your life; teachers, aunties, and grandparents...last but not least is your dear old dad. Where would we be without "the best dad ever!"?

Love,
Mama