End of Summer Wrap Up

Maliana ~

So, in spite of school having already started, there were still a ton of summery things left to do. Since the warmth was lingering around for quite some time, we were able to have some nice lazy mornings hanging out with our new bunny family members, relaxing as a family, and began a new Sunday tradition of coffee (for Daddy and me) while you, the dogs, and the bunnies all hang out under the tree in our front yard. It's a nice change of pace to the usual around here.

"always stealing me lucky charms!"

bike ride on the new basketball court at the park

coffee with this guy...your Daddy

lazy Sunday mornings with the bunnies

you kept singing, "me and Abby!" over and over again

We wrapped up your third trip to Olentangy Indian Caverns for the summer with a Fu Group outing.

you really love this gem mining thing

Lao Lao also took you out for an evening while Daddy and I got to go out on an end of summer date as well. It was nice for Daddy and I to reconnect and I was so tickled to get the updates from Lao Lao too. She took you paddle boating at Creekside, out to dinner, and then to the Sizzle and Sound festival in Sunbury. She said you had a wonderful talk over dinner about life, friends, and integrity. I love that you have other adults in your life that can take the time to truly listen to the things in your life that matter so much to you and then drop pearls of wisdom here and there as appropriate. We are so lucky.

paddle boating with Lao Lao

paddle boating and stimulating conversation at dinner must
have worn you out...fell asleep on the way to Sizzle and Sound

this text from Lao Lao shows your ornery personality

At the end of August, we had planned to have your Family Day party. It was a little later than usual, but with all of Daddy's health issues this summer, it was the best we could do. You were so excited to help with the prepping of this shindig. For example, here you are in Party City, making your mama laugh...

Video: "Where's the closest bathroom?"

Fortunately, the rain held off the actual day of the party and and our Family Day gathering was a success. It was actually pretty steamy hot and so there was a bit of drenching with water (by the kids) and a fairly epic kickball game with kids and grown ups alike. At the end, you said, "I love my family and friends!" So sweet. We love you too. For reals.

Happy Family Day Right Meow cupcakes

on the way from the store to the park,
they slid a bit in Lao Lao's car but she
salvaged them...sweaty icing and all

getting ready for kickball
(E, you, and Jos)

Sam and E tag-teaming to get Joe out

David, our silly pitcher

it was so hot...you loved cooling off like this

Tina carrying little Freddy around third

pinata time

Uncle Forge, Uncle Flint, McKenzie, and Lao Lao teasing you

our shirts this year...

Family is 4-Ever!

The very next day after the party, you requested we watch the video of us meeting you for the first time in China. Lao Lao came over and told us she had never seen this video before, aside from filming it for us 6 years ago! You did pretty well watching it and we all loved seeing that chubby cheeked, big eyed baby with the elephant tears, trying to figure out how she felt about these strange people she'd just met (Daddy and me). I was also reminded of that clip I captured of you sucking your tongue on that first morning waking up with you in Guangzhou...a welcome surprise since I used to suck my tongue too when I was a kid. That red thread again, I suppose. We love you so much.

Labor Day weekend was nothing crazy. Just a trip to Hoover for some impromptu swimming, putt-putt and Slushies with Mommy, and the UA Arts Festival.

we took Cori to Hoover with us

totally breaking the rules by swimming at Hoover

here you are trying to get Suzy to swim out to you

Slushie tongues

cool homemade xylophone at the arts festival

I finally had time to take you to the local international market so you could try some mochi and you liked it! So nice to have good Asian markets nearby. Should definitely try to get to them more often.

And speaking of great things nearby, poor Lalie (our neighbor) got sick and as soon as you found out, you decided to make a get well card and stick it in her front door. As you can see from her Instagram post, it meant a lot to her. Such a sweet gesture.

It says, "My little neighbor rocks"

Finally, wrapping up the tail end of summer(ish), we attended your annual cleft clinic appointment to discuss where we're headed from here. You did great! At the appointment, we realized that you are less than 2 years away from doing your bone graft surgery (eek!) and so we'll begin really thinking and preparing for that one soon. Aside from that realization, everything else was smooth sailing and we even enjoyed a nice lunch together before I had to take you back to school.

you wanted to wear our Team Lentil shirts to the appointment...
I loved it and so did everyone else!

you crack me up!

a text I sent to Daddy after dropping you off

So, there you have it. You may be back at school already, but there has still been a lot of summertime fun before buckling down to studying or weathering cold temperatures again.

Love,
Mama