Birthday Surprises, Top Gun Photo Shoot, and a Papaw in a Bunny Suit?

Mali ~

So, March was a fairly big month! Are you ready? Here we go!

part of Dr Seuss week at school had you wearing a hat one day
and you chose this one, insisting the C stood for "clever"

and the library had this cool veterinarian station
set up in the kids' section...Dr Mali at your service!

and of course, we had another pretty snowfall...our backyard is
a winter wonderland sometimes

I visited with your new cousin, Delilah...so tiny!

and with your birthday coming up, Team Lentil
sent you a special card and birthday message

Me: "Do you need a napkin, Mali?"
You: "Not yet!"
Me: Really?!"

fun color stripes in your hair for your birthday!

Daddy did an amazing job on your birthday morning surprise!

And here you are (in the link below) "busting into your 8th year" and discovering your annual birthday surprise. I love this tradition and this year you said you wanted Daddy to do the decorations because you wanted me to have a chance to walk in with you. Awww...

Birthday Morning Surprise Tradition!

you LOVED it!

he even made Star Wars pancakes!

x-wing fighter, tie fighter, R2D2, BB8

the birthday munchkin and the decorator, himself

the big finale gift - a new Green Machine!

first wipe out!

Then before we knew it, it was time for your birthday party at the zoo! Exciting day!

you and Daddy picked up the van so we could drive
some of your guests to the party...party bus!

we did some testing with the camera before your party...look at that swag

wow...you centered this really well! a natural photographer

zoo birthday party!!

some of the birthday crew from your party

playing some games

the row of moms and grandmas

Daddy and Papaw paparazzi

opening gifts



cake time with all of your guests
(L to R - Alex, Sam, Kyndall, Elyse, Mia, Sophie, Lainey, Erin,
Lily (behind you), Alex (back), Lucy, and Jocelyn)

obligatory silly shot

about to blow out your candle after we finish singing 'happy birthday'

they brought out 4 animals...first was a ball python

then a black footed ferret

an armadillo

touching the armadillo while it was all balled up

and finally a baby alligator

since your party was a "party with a purpose", you chose
to raise money for red pandas and also got a red
panda stuffed animal to take home

the kids from your class that could join us...
L-R: Kyndall, Lily, Elyse, Lucy, you, and Alex

the official party bus crew

the cool kids doing their cool poses...lol

see what I mean?

definitely working overtime for that cool vibe

and of course, a note regarding your birth mom/first mom.
your first family is always close to our hearts...

You cracked me up that evening as you told me that you weren't officially 8 yet. When I asked why, you responded that God was going to take your brain out when you were sleeping and look at it and what you did that day, send it to Santa, and then send it back (at approximately 1am). You said it needs to be 'day and night' (essentially 24 hours), then (and only then) would you officially be 8 years old. Ha. It sounded like an incredibly intense process. But, sure enough when you woke up on March 7th, you announced "Ok, now I am 8!" *shaking my head* ~ you are something else, kiddo!

here we were just enjoying a random date night at Easton
for dinner at CPK and some window shopping

why oh why do you adore this photo booth so much?

we also discovered that Kyndall lives super close to us recently so
we have now incorporated some play dates with her into our days...
you both have a fun time together and I love watching you laugh!

we knew it was only a matter of time before Daddy got on this thing

and you and our neighbor Maddy have enjoyed
playing together more as well

and another night we had a very impromptu play date with both
Kyndall and Lily...you all are so silly together

twinning with our neighbor, David?

and we even had our very first bonfire of the season too!
here you are snuggling with Audrey Ayi in your
'birthday blanket' (as you call it)

March also included our primaries for the election season. This year you have become enamored with Hillary Clinton, excited at the prospect of having our first female president. I have to admit that I love your interest and enthusiasm in the electoral process and politics. It is fascinating to watch you make sense of what is a lot like a circus right now (unfortunately). But, anyway...you went to the voting booth with me and since I am content voting for either democratic candidate at this point, I let you choose. It was your job to push the buttons for all of our selections and paired with your ability to read made it quite entertaining with you excitedly announcing each candidate as you pushed their button in our booth. There was really no secrecy as to where our votes were going, but I would trade any voting privacy if it means that I am nurturing an interest and passion for our electoral process in you. You are such a fascinating child. I cannot wait to continue watching you grow into an adult in the coming years.



And speaking of you growing up...we also got your 8 year portraits done and I have to admit that I think they turned out fabulously! Here they are...

this was just a snap shot I took after your pictures because you wanted me
to send it to Daddy and ask if we could get another dog...ha ha!

total Top Gun

See what I mean?! Your pictures are adorable!!

And finally...while it wasn't quite Easter yet, we celebrated Easter with Memaw and Papaw at St. Phillips' annual egg hunt. The night before you spent the night with them and your cousins. You had a ball, as usual. The picture below was part of an update I received of the night before...so sweet.

with Papaw the Easter Bunny

Mr and Mrs Easter Bunny

And then, the coups de gras start to your spring break after all of the amazingness of March already was a trip to DC for you, me, and Lao Lao! Can you believe how packed this month has been?! Whew...

But...you'll have to wait for the next blog post for the DC installment.

Love you, kiddo. Happy Spring!

Love,
Mama