Soccer Starts, Sleepovers, and a Surprise Party

Maliana ~

The name of the game was soccer and more sleepovers over the last couple weeks. We picked up some new soccer gear in preparation for you beginning your spring season. The last time you played soccer was about 4 years ago and you refused to go on the field by yourself, so we were wondering how you would do. The same day we picked up a new ball and shin guards, you couldn't wait to gear up and try them out. The neighbor kids came down and David helped you practice for a bit before all of you went on a little adventure into the woods behind our house. When I came home from walking with Lao Lao, you were all muddy and very proud of your adventure. Feeling pretty good about being included with the big kids, I could tell.

look at that form!

Then, the next day were your 7 year old portraits. You were feeling pretty spiffy with your new dinosaur shoes on and gave me a little pose before heading off in the car to get them done. You did a fantastic job and they turned out great ~ I can't wait to pick them up!

matchy, matchy ~ cool as a cucumber, you are!

As soon as we got home, Memaw, Papaw, and your cousins came by to whisk you away on a sleepover with the grandparents. You were stoked, to say the least.

woo hoo! cousins are the best!

Bravely, Papaw decided to take you and Sammy to church for mass that afternoon. Evidently he let you take your tablet in to the church (with the sound off, of course), but when the priest came walking down the aisle, he made you hide it so Papaw wouldn't get in trouble. When I asked you about it later, you told me you had to hide it and when I asked from who (curious to hear your understanding of priests, etc), you replied with, "God!" Ha ha. Papaw also told me that when the congregation had to stand up together to pray, you stood up as tall as you could and then held your hand over your heart. I'm sure you were fully expecting to hear the Pledge of Allegiance. He he. 

We met Memaw, Papaw, your cousins and you at the tried and true Cracker Barrel (a grandparent staple in our family) and had breakfast the next morning then headed home for some relaxation before your first ever soccer practice. You were so excited about it, asking every hour how much longer until we could leave for soccer. 

In the car, you were such a chatty little thing the whole way there. Once there, we had this exchange:

You: "Mommy, I'm scared."
Me: "Are you scared or nervous? Like butterflies in your stomach?"
You: "No, I have moths. Moths and ladybugs."

During practice, you did ah-mazing! You joined right in, never once looking back or seriously contemplating not being out there with your new team. The kids seem nice and Daddy and I had so much fun watching you! You seemed like you were really enjoying yourself which in turn made Daddy and me over the moon. I was so filled with joy just getting to witness you out there trying something new. It's a feeling that I just can't describe in words. *sigh* You'll understand someday. 

Anyway, at the end of practice, your team picked a name and voted on it. You are now part of the Cheetahs! Cute, huh? Or should I say fierce? Ha ha. So awesome. Go Cheetahs!

got your game face on!

Number 8 in your program. Number 1 in your hearts!

doing a little extra goal work with Daddy!

one of the best parts of team sports ~
getting yummy snacks afterwards!

I am officially a soccer mom!!

A couple days later, I decided to paint my toenails. You decided to join in and do your own as well. I just let you do your 'thang' and it was so cute as you kept asking for more "coppin' swabs" (aka cotton swabs) to help clean up the excess polish from your toes. I love your Mali-isms. They're my favorite!

copious amounts of 'coppin swabs'
in use here...ha ha

The rest of that particular week was a mix of rain and sunshine. The sunnier days brought a smile to my face as I watched the trees begin to bud and bloom and also as you reminded me that we probably should have applied sunscream to you before going to school. Ha. I completely forgot that you call it that. I love it. 

One evening we headed to Whit's Frozen Custard to meet Aunt Tina and Erin for a treat before playing at the playground until dark. Good talks. Good playtime. Good friends. Impromptu hang time is the best. 

And last but certainly not least, Lao Lao was amaze-balls this most recent weekend as we headed out of town for Stacy's surprise 40th birthday party in Virginia. Since it was an adults only party, you hung with Lao Lao from Saturday until Sunday. I am so thankful to have her help and take comfort in knowing that you were perfectly safe and happy in her care. And you are definitely never lonely either...between Lao Lao, Max, Pipsqueak, Abby, and your good ol' buddy Suzy ~ you have lots of snuggle buddies.

The night before we left, you hung out with Lao Lao so that Daddy and I could prep for the trip. You even tried out riding your bike (all by yourself!) to the corner where Lao Lao was waiting. You wanted to try out this little taste of freedom and it was so cute to see you get ready to go, Pokemon cards in your backpack and of course Silkie along for the ride. You may be getting bigger and more responsible, but definitely never forget Silkie. Ha.

While we were gone, you stayed busy with Lao Lao, going to Mandarin class, planting in her garden, finding some worms for her garden, hanging out and playing together, tried to go to soccer (but got rained out), and even got to stay up and watch some of Saturday Night Live together (one of your favorites). We also had a good time surprising Stacy for her 40th...

the birthday girl and her loving hubby
who planned the whole surprise

Mommy and the birthday girl with
some of our photo booth props

if you remember anything about your childhood...please
let it be how much your parents embraced their weirdness
(and of course, how much we love you!)

...but we also missed you a bunch. Especially when you sent me this text before we went to bed on Saturday...of course, I had to call you after reading this. Your teeny little voice on the other end of the phone made me miss you even more. Such a sweetheart, you are!

We made it home on Sunday and had a nice relaxing few hours back together as a family before we had to go to bed. It was the first time that Daddy and I have (both at the same time) left you and went so far away. A big step for all of us. You did great. I didn't worry at all. I just missed your adorable face.

Just before bed, we were picking your outfit for school on Monday. You cracked me up with this:

"Well, I don't really want to wear my dinosaur shoes because I like
to admire them and then I run into people"

My silly little monkey. So glad to be home with you.

Love,
Mama