Hip Hop, Autumn Moon, and Moving Day

Maliana ~

You woke up in a fantastic mood on Monday this week...a huge gift after such a long and busy weekend. While you had to go to school that day, Daddy and I took the day off and spent it together doing something fun. Daddy surprised me with Segway tours of downtown Columbus! You're not quite old enough to do it yet but you better believe we'll be bringing you down too as soon as we can.

After school, I took you to your very first hip hop class. You were so excited, a little unnerved and apprehensive once there, but then bravely stayed in class the whole time and learned a step or two. You were so silly and excited to show us all of your dance moves once you got home. It's so cute and I am so hopeful that this will continue to captivate your attention and be a good fit for your personality. You sure seemed to like it that night!

my little Sprocket, ready to hip hop

Since you were so brave and stayed in class without me, I took you across the street to Graeter's after class and we got ice cream together. With all of the recent hub-bub, it's been hard to relax. On this particular night, I finally felt at ease and completely present with you. The first time in a long time, I hate to admit. You were in such a good mood, triumphant and silly, as we ate our scoops. You had me laughing and I was reminded of all the ways you bring me joy every day; the way you joke about things that I have no idea you know about, or the way you deliberately pause as you tell me stories or explain something about your day. I can honestly say that I love your personality and it is beyond enjoyable to just hang out with you. Nights like these are priceless and as I listened to you talking about this or that, I realized how desperately I wish I could bottle your voice at this age and keep it forever. So cute.

your "hell yeah, ice cream!" face

Ice cream treats were had later this week as well as we celebrated TGIF with a trip to the Lego Store and Jeni's after school. Actually, the entire day deserved a celebration because we were both relaxed (once again) and in great moods from start to finish. I was even inspired to share this on Facebook after dropping you off at school just that morning.

~ Today, I'm feeling thankful for cooler weather that makes me feel like my runs could go on for 20 miles; for the moment when your kids are old enough to truly appreciate, remember, request, and look forward to those special traditions that you've worked so hard to make "a thing" in your family; for the all too rare movie that resonates and sticks with me long after I've left the theater; for the sweet man at Tim Horton's who always remembers and chit chats with Mali and just today told her that they all miss her in the mornings now that school's started; and for discovering and rediscovering some good music that has me singing out loud in public before I even realize what I'm doing. Happy Friday, everyone! Make it a great day!

There's always, always room for gratitude. Every. Day. It's something that's unfortunately slipped my mind as of late but that I intend to make a conscious effort to highlight in the days, months and years ahead. It's crucial to a full life. Remember, Mali ~ "Happiness does not come from having everything you want, but from being grateful for everything that you have..." ~ no idea who said it first but I love that quote.

And speaking of happiness and gratitude, we are all very grateful that not only has Lao Lao been able to spend some precious time with us while staying here over the last few weeks, but that we were also able to begin moving her into her new home this week as well. You were so thrilled to be a part of helping with anything and everything you could. She is actually moving into a place that is less than a quarter mile from our house too ~ talk about something else to be grateful for! While the circumstances leading up to her big leap of faith were difficult at times, we are all hopeful that these big changes will bring her much happiness in the years ahead. 

Hannibal Mali

Audrey came to help out too and you all set up Lao Lao's bed

As I also mentioned before, this week has also had you asking about some of our special family traditions that we have coming up soon. For one, you asked if we were going back to a cabin again during the Christmas season to spend time together, explore, have a sleepover, and celebrate the holiday with each other. I had no idea that this particular tradition was a big deal for you, or at least a big enough deal to ask about it 3 months ahead of schedule! I love that. And, yes ~ of course we are!
The second thing you asked about was when we will make another trip back to New York City. The last time we were there was for Thanksgiving 3 years ago, but here you are, asking about another girls' trip. I definitely wouldn't mind going back there either...such a cool place. We'll stick a pin in that one, kiddo. Maybe in the spring?? Anyway, it just means so much that you are really appreciating and requesting special family time together. It warms my heart. 

Saturday night we headed off to the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival thrown by COFCC. You were a bit tired and therefore overwhelmed by all of the people and noises, however had a good time anyway. We got to see lots of our friends and celebrate the mid-autumn moon with them. Lao Lao even made the comment about what a nice group of people the COFCC community is and I have to agree. We are very fortunate to be involved with such a wonderful organization and great group of families.

all decked out in our Chinese shirts but you also wanted to wear
your high tops and silver-studded hat for extra flair

lanterns for the parade

making a mid-autumn moon craft

trying to figure out chopsticks for a relay race

noodles!

just like a baby bird

running from Mia's dad, Fred

you made a "phases of the moon" oreo craft

watching the shadow puppet play telling the folklore of
the Mid-Autumn Moon celebration

mooncakes!

lantern parade!

you were so grouchy when it came to taking pictures

look at that pitiful face...I just had to stick my lip out too



Sunday we finally got around to taking our family pictures, of course it was 3 months after family day (!) ~ but better late than never though, right?! Audrey Ayi came over and after playing and goofing around with us, she helped us with a casual photo session on the back deck. There was no way you wanted any part of wearing the skirt portion of your outfit (which you've almost completely outgrown anyway) so we agreed to let you wear colored jeans with your shirt. For an impromptu photo shoot, I think they turned out great! Thank you, Audrey Ayi!

a great mood all morning and then you flipped a
switch just before the shoot, transforming
into Miss Grumpy Pants ~ go figure!

here you have a half smile/half whiney face

Stormy decided to photo bomb our picture...

so we decided to have some fun with him

seriously, how cute are you?!

I love how your tongue is poking through the
little gap in your teeth ~ so cute!

your cheeks are just so kissable!

you are smiling on the outside but can't wait until we're
done on the inside ~ little stinker!

You headed off to swim lessons after that, where Daddy said you did awesome, then had a lunch date with your papa at Piada. All of that swimming worked up quite an appetite for you.

The rest of the day we just chilled at home, crashing out on the couch for a good long while. It felt fantastic to just sit there and do nothing. A rarity for me. That evening, Lao Lao came back down to our house to grab Max the Cat (or Maxi Pad as you lovingly call him, sometimes even yelling loudly to him outside in front of our neighbors). We went back down to her place with her to check out how she's settling in and you ended up staying and hanging out with her some more, making yourself right at home on her couch under a big soft blanket. It's so fun to be able to so casually allow you to go hang out with your grandma like that now. Having her so close...well...this is going to be fun.

Love you, Monkey.

Love,
Mama