Let's Make the Most of the New Year

Maliana ~

As we welcome in the official holiday season, we started off with a big dose of reality. On December 1st, we headed back to the orthodontist to discuss the next step towards your upcoming bone graft. Looks like it's sooner than we expected (possibly this spring?). While it's a little daunting to think about right now, the doctor said you are luckier than most kids in your situation since the tooth that is about to come down into the gap in your cleft appears to be a viable tooth. That gives us some type of relief. Regardless, this is a big deal and you are definitely well aware of this fact as evidenced by the note you wrote on my phone and then handed to me on the way to the appointment. You are such a brave little cherub. I love your openness, heart, and courage.

"I am cool with this but I am scared a little.
From Maliana Wilkinson"

In spite of the gravity of our latest news, you managed some major excitement the very next day when I surprised you with a few new clothes and tennis shoes. I even got some tennis shoes very similar to yours so you insisted on trying on your new penguin sweater and the both of us wearing our matching running shoes and walking the dogs as soon as we got home that night. The dogs were stoked and so were you as you can see by the following picture!

look at that happy kid!

And your antics continued...as they always do. Here are just a few examples.

Lately you have been paying close attention to the signs in public restrooms, reminding employees to wash their hands. So, of course this is what I woke up to the other morning...hahaha!

wait...whose hands do I wash?

Or this conversation...

you are always saying the strangest and sweetest stuff...I love that about you!

And here... 

Evidently, you had free writing time at school one day and this is one of the notes you chose to write. You had written it the day before but happened to give it to me as I was driving you to school. The timing couldn't have been more perfect as it was just after a particularly rough night where I was questioning my ability to be a good enough parent for you. Yep...I cried. 

thank you so much...I feel the same way!

Over this past weekend you had a spontaneous sleepover with your cousins at Memaw and Papaw's house. Since you were off having a blast, Daddy and I had a long overdue date night and got a ton of Christmas errands done to boot. It was definitely a win-win for us all! The next morning, we headed to St. Phillip's to meet you all for their annual Secret Santa. Always a favorite among you kids!

long overdue date night

As I went through your backpack in preparation for the school week to begin, I also found this free writing assignment and chuckled at this particular portion. I'm always amused by what you like to share with your teacher. I'm sure she is too...ha ha!

"The next day we watched Saturday Night Live and we laughed
so hard and we fell off the bed and we were slap happy"

As you might be able to tell from some of the pictures so far...the weather is not cooperating (by any means) in giving us a white (or even cold) Christmas this December. In order to get us somewhat more in the spirit, you, Lao Lao and I took our first Christmas lights drive at night. I was on a mission to find a particular house that a friend had shared with me that was pretty close to us. It definitely didn't disappoint! And the drive to get there was pretty too with you in the backseat asking me to slow down every few minutes so you could take pictures with your camera. I'd hear a 'click' and then a "Perrr-fect!!" from the backseat. It was adorable! 

this picture doesn't even begin to do the house justice!

the tree across the street was amazing too!
I wonder how long this took...

you hopped out of the car and were running back and forth around
this yard snapping all kinds of shots from your camera

The next morning on the way to school, you said, "Mom, thank you for taking me to see the Christmas lights last night" ~ you are just the sweetest. I love that you are so appreciative of the little things.

That weekend we had our annual Christmas sleepover with your cousins. Your friend Jocelyn joined us too. As usual, it was a little bit of crazy and a whole lot of fun. Memaw came with us this year (since Daddy had other plans that night) and we went to see the Wildlights at the zoo, then came home and decorated gingerbread cookies, played, and settled in to watch a movie (Inside Out) under the Christmas lights downstairs. The next morning, there were more crafts and playing outside (since the weather is incredibly warm still), before they all had to go home. You were all smiles and laughter, so appreciative of just spending time with the people you love. And I always feel so relieved and happy when we have another successful year of what has become a Christmas tradition at our house. I really love spending time one on one with you kids.

Alex was so looking forward to seeing the penguins that she
decked herself out in all of her penguin gear...and then...the
habitat was closed. boo. poor kiddo.

squeezing you and Alex in the single stroller

the best I could do with our new selfie stick...gotta
learn how to work this thing!

working hard on your gingerbread cookies

all snuggled in

With the annual sleepover having kicked off our Christmas shenanigans, your "elf on the shelf" took that as his cue to come back for Christmas. He arrived later that week and you were very excited to see Santa Claus Jr. again, as you can see below...

look at that excitement! love that face!

And later that same night, we all came down to watch some TV under the Christmas lights and relax together. You asked me this...and made Daddy and me smile. I love your Mali-isms.

"Mom, can I have some "Milk Dougs" when we watch the movie?"

The following week was filled with some more Christmas traditions and preparations. First, you came home from school one afternoon and wanted to write out all of your teachers' Christmas cards yourself, complete with special little notes in each. I love your heart.

this particular one was to your school counselor...
"thank you for helping me with my problems"

Later that same week, we attended your Christmas program at school. You were adorable, a little nervous and embarrassed (doing your excited/shy face as you marched onto the stage), and did great. There were a LOT of songs to remember, all with hand motions and everything, but your entire class did amazing. You also were chosen (along with a friend) to present your music teacher with a poinsettia in front of everyone after the performance. It was just the sweetest.

On the last day of school before break, I helped out with your class party. I even wore jammies (since it was jammie day at school) and so you and I were twinning. The party was complete chaos but I am always so grateful when I have the opportunity to participate in your life like this. It's fun to see you in your natural element at school. Such a big kid anymore...

me with your friend Addi's mom who also wore elf ears

you are helping me run the charades game at the party

And with the last day of school done and you officially on break, we headed to our annual Hocking Hills Christmas cabin celebration with Lao Lao, Uncles Flint and Forge, and their girlfriends Monica and McKenzie. Suzy, Iroh, and Max even came along too! We did some hiking, some eating, some gift unwrapping, some movie watching, some relaxing, and lots of laughing. I didn't realize until this year how much you also look forward to doing this. It's so nice to have this tradition and watch you enjoy time with family. I also have to mention that you blew Daddy and me away by how sweet you were during gifts. You played Santa and passed out presents, then got just as much enjoyment out of watching people open their presents as opening them yourself. I loved that. After gifts, you even sat and watched the original Star Wars with us all and...*drumroll please*...LOVED it! We were so surprised. A good surprise. It's such a classic film. Eventually, between that night and Christmas, you ended up watching the 2nd two films in the original trilogy, then even headed out for a late night theatre showing of the newest Star Wars film on Christmas night with Daddy and Papaw. Whoa! Who could have ever guessed that?!

if you look super closely, you can see Flint, Forge, Monica, and Kenzie
on the bridge at Old Man's Cave

and also me, you, and Lao Lao on the bridge here

taking a break with Lao Lao

lower falls at Old Man's Cave with Suzy

hot tub time! you loved this...

I'm saving this one for a side by side
comparison to college photos

everyone seemed to want to sit by Kenzie

you and Monica laughing at something
during our gift exchange

trying to get your first lesson on your
new sewing machine from Lao Lao

hugs goodbye for Lao Lao and Max

you with your "aunts" and uncles outside
one of the cabins

Once home from the cabin, you busted out your new sewing machine from Lao Lao and she taught you how to make a pillow. She was so patient and you were so proud when it was finished, even running outside to show Daddy! So sweet.

Here's a small clip of the 9 total minutes I filmed you cuties...click here.

ta dah!

Fast forward through the week and by the 23rd, I was officially on my break. We decorated Christmas cookies that day and ended up with some, umm, interesting and funny results. 

Maddy from down the street came over
to help us decorate cookies

Audrey joined us too

and Lao Lao made it memorable with
her creativity when the candy
letters ran low...ha ha!

your "Santa" cookie, complete with hat, beard, and face

Audrey even brought you some gifts

Christmas Eve was spent relaxing and taking you to Easton to attempt to find some more holiday cheer and Christmas spirit. You see, Daddy had to work for a good chunk of the day and the weather was 60 degrees and grey outside. It was not your ideally picture perfect start to the holiday, but you and I managed to find some cheer and smiles, enjoying our time together. As we sat at California Pizza Kitchen, I asked you what Christmas magic means to you and you replied, "It's spending time with family and friends...Most kids think it's presents." I loved that response. Then I asked what your favorite part of our Christmas activities have been so far, and without skipping a beat you replied, "This. Right now with you." Wow. You surprise me with your sweetness every day. How do you do that?

you found the only snowflake in Columbus on the window
of CPK at Easton

That night Daddy was finally done working and so we headed over to Billy Lee's for our annual Christmas Eve dinner with the Wilkinsons. Unfortunately, Vince and his family could not make it, but we had a delicious meal anyway, then headed back through downtown and into Westerville to take advantage of some beautiful Christmas lights with Daddy. Once we got home, you were so excited for Santa to come. We did all of our special preparations for the big guy's visit and you were in rare form. I love, love, LOVE seeing the magic of Christmas through your eyes. 

Daddy finally got to see the coolest house in Westerville
and the equally cool green tree across the street

cookies and OJ are all set for Santa

Here's one of my favorite videos each year...you watching your message from Santa.

Click here!

whoa! he arrived! and even brought some 
fluffy fake snow to set your presents on!

You finally went to bed and while it took you a little time, you were soon fast asleep. The next morning, the first thing you said when you woke up was, "Mom! I slept last night!" Daddy and I were so thankful that it wasn't a repeat of last year when you woke up every 15-20 minutes and asked if it was time to get up yet. Ha ha. Once we were up, we texted Lao Lao who came over and then we all headed downstairs to see what kind of magical scene had been left by the Big Guy in Red. He definitely did not disappoint. He even brought some fluffy snow to lay your presents on right in front of the fireplace since he knew we didn't have any snow of our own this year. It was very cool. We opened gifts and ate breakfast, then Lao Lao headed home and Memaw and Papaw came over for a while to exchange gifts and eat as well. The one thing I wish is that I had captured you opening your stocking on video. You were adorably excited and grateful for all of your goodies, opening each of them and appreciating them one by one. I loved watching that so much. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and just enjoying our time together. Daddy did have to work for another couple of hours on Christmas Day but you and I entertained ourselves by taking Suzy and test-riding my new bike (that you and Daddy surprised me with and which had also been my aunt Lori's so it held very special meaning for me). When he was finally finished working, it was still so warm out that we all took a family spin on our bikes just before sunset. It was an unusual Christmas day activity for us but a wonderful way to finish the holiday together. Family, fresh air, and a beautiful sunset.

with your stocking

silly kiddo

the dogs appreciated your help in opening
their gift(s) from Santa

you told me that since you now have your Kidizoom
watch..."I'm fast as a chicken!"

my Secret Santa gift from you

Daddy with his Secret Santa gift from you

and Lao Lao's Secret Santa gift from you

Suzy

Pipsqueak

ahhh...poor Grandpa. trying to put together
some of the toys and having a tough time

but this was a success...digging dinosaur bones and then
putting them together into a skeleton

Here's a short clip of you two silly paleontologists...click here.

ta dah!

Daddy and I trying to look hardcore and you grinning
from ear to ear...typical behavior from you lately,
doing opposite of what we ask. lil stinker!

I love my new bike...thank you, Mali, Daddy, Allie and Aunt Lori!

The week leading up to New Year's Eve was pretty laid back. Nothing too crazy. You cracked me up with this little diddy though...

How do I know my kid watches a little too much Saturday Night Live? Exhibit A...
Daddy: "Man, I am sweaty!"
Mali: "Schweddy Balls!?!"

And also an emergency trip to the vet the day after Christmas for one of our bunnies (everything is ok...just a case of bad gas) but while we waited for the exam to be finished, you decided to do some research on my phone. Thank God for Google!

Unfortunately, similar to Christmas, the weather was grey and pretty crappy. One bright spot was the fact that we woke up on NYE day to some very small snow-ish pellets falling from the sky. In spite of this cold and odd weather, you still wanted to go on a bike ride. So, we did! We even took the pups with us and they had a blast running alongside our bikes on the trail. 

brrrr!!

Skipping ahead a few days, we actually got some sun after the new year began. So can you guess what that meant? Yep! More bike rides! I took you and Suzy on a long walk on that glorious first day of good sun and it felt great. If you look closely, you will notice you also have your trusty backpack with you too. You filled it with some band-aids and told me it was in case any of us got injured. So thoughtful and well prepared!

Ok, now rewind back to New Year's Eve again...Daddy had to work all day so it was basically just us until the festivities began that night. Audrey stopped by briefly but had to go home early because she had to work the next day. Daddy came home just before Audrey left, and then Lao Lao, Uncle Forge, and McKenzie came over to hang out with us. We had a lot of yummy food and Lao Lao had also bought us all red underwear after listening to a radio show about NYE traditions from around the world. Evidently, it's a Sicilian tradition to wear red undies. And even though none of us are Sicilian, we were that night! Here is a photo of me trying on my pair of undies at Target the night before...obviously, your mama has no shame. Ha!

We all stayed up and made it to midnight, playing games, making dumplings, eating, and watching one of our current favorite shows (Impractical Jokers) on TV. We watched the countdown and at midnight, we busted out the sparklers, roman candles, and pop-its. It was freezing but you, Daddy, and me all filed outside to make some noise anyway.

annual British crackers with cheesy paper crowns have become
a tradition...thanks, Lao Lao!

you wanted to make dumplings and so we did...
as well as eating our shrimp to bring longevity
in the new year. yum!

Forge and McKenzie in their lucky red undies

Happy New Year!

Daddy, armed with a gigantic sparkler and red underwear

our cutie!

no idea what's happening but it looks cool!

about as good as a group photo gets when dealing with kids and dogs
(poor Lao Lao is getting tongue attacked by Suzy!)

The next day we headed to Memaw and Papaw's for our annual pork and sauerkraut to bring us good luck in the new year. Your cousins and Uncle Kevin/Aunt Beth were there as well and we all exchanged our family Christmas gifts. You and Sam played the entire time and you had a ball, as you can tell by the following pictures. Of course, the absence of the "big kid" cousins in the pictures is due to the fact that the tweens are more interested in watching the Disney channel than playing storm troopers right now...

if you can't tell by the tongues...we are all excited for car rides

storm trooper gift from Uncle Kevin

in this picture you said, "no one will know it's me!"

and here you said, "now they will!"

However thinking of it now, I wish I would have gotten more candid pictures of our day. Everyone in our day. More candid pictures of our entire holidays, really. Little snaps of each of us doing whatever typical stuff we normally do. I've actually been reflecting on that a lot over the last few weeks. It may sound kind of morbid, but realizing that not all of us will be here (eventually...and hopefully a long, long time from now) in the years to come has really weighed heavy on my mind lately. I know, I know. That sounds horribly bleak for a New Year's Day post, but hear me out. Getting back to my thoughts on taking pictures. Perhaps that should be a new year's resolution for me, to capture more moments of typical events in our daily lives. Take Christmas and New Year this year...it's things like Memaw making her famous pork, sauerkraut, and dumplings in her big black pot that she places on the table with the ancient green tablecloth with the pine branches in the middle. Or capturing Lao Lao's infectious laugh as she experiences something for the first time ever (like when she tried out Daddy's new virtual reality goggles he bought for the holidays). Or even the moments when Papaw thinks no one is watching him and he lovingly "picks on" one of the pets or grandchildren, teasing them in ways for which Papaw has become well-known among many, many family members of multiple generations. Moments like these...and so many more. Those are the things we will all want to remember and will wistfully hold dear someday. The real moments and idiosyncracies that speak to what life together was truly like. The good stuff is the stuff that seems like nothing right now. But it's actually everything.

after teasing Suzy by biting her ears just moments before, they both
curled up together for a nap while we watched Close Encounters of the
Third Kind after dinner (perhaps Papaw is also exhausted because you
were asking about a million questions about the movie?)

you and Sammy and the famous green
tablecloth with the pine branches

Someday, we will cherish even the most mundane photographs and videos of our loved ones because they will bring warm memories flooding back into our hearts long after our dear ones have gone. It's difficult to think about, not something I like to bring to mind very often. But it is also real life. In this new year, let's try not to take each other for granted as often; let's try to embrace even the most mundane (or even annoying) experiences as gifts to each other; let's try to embrace our similarities rather than allowing our differences to divide us; let's aim for more patience and forgiveness for those we love (and even those we don't); let's seek more understanding and less judgment; and let's all try to focus and hold on to the positive while more quickly letting go of the negative. Life is full of ups and downs. It always has been and always will be. But all of the joys and sorrows in life are made so much easier when we share them together. While we have these moments now, let's make the most of them. 

Happy New Year to my most favorite kid in the universe and beyond!

Love,

Mama