And Now We Have a Third Grader, Yo.

Mali ~

Early August, the gap between summer camp and school, you spent half days of one week with me, and the following week was "Grandma Week" ~ aptly named by you. First day of Grandma Week was pool day, second was go carts, one chill out and relax day and then there was a special haircut at the salon, the only place you like to get your hair cut now. Lao Lao has definitely spoiled you.

As for our half days together, here is a snippet I shared about one of our afternoons. You are such a little teenager already.

Finally, the last weekend before school started we took one last road trip and headed off to VA to see our framily; Brad, Stacy, Sierra, Laurel, and KK! Just under 8 hours in the car together and I couldn't think of two better road trip partners than you and Daddy!

I always want to stop at this scenic overlook but we always
seem to miss the turn off, until this trip. thanks, Daddy!

Brad was feeling a little under the weather when we got there
so nurse Daddy went in to see if he could help...silly guy.

the next day we headed to the pool

and Daddy did his cannon balls, just like always

ready for a swim

you attempted to do the diving board (with
KK leading the way) but backed out at
the last second

then we hit up an orchard/winery

and Stacy and I did some flights of hard cider

while you kids enjoyed their yummy ice cream

and then things got a little crazy

and you got to help hamster-sit their neighbor's
pet (now you want a hamster, of course)

they took us on a cool hike to a really
neat natural swimming hole

you and Daddy used your goggles to search for minnows

I loved coming in to the living room and seeing you and
Stacy deep in conversation over lunch

goofballs

this picture and the one below are from our grown up evening
out for dinner on the C-ville downtown mall
(yes, we're doing what you think we are)

Sierra watched all of you little kids while
us big kids got to have a night out

snuggling with your Stacy and KK
(I love the way your eyes sparkle
in this picture!)

our crazy group on the last night there

and here Daddy and I are outside of the Beef Jerky Outlet on the
way home...it's not a road trip without some proper jerky!

I also have to mention that August held the summer Olympics in Rio. Unexpectedly, you developed quite the passion for Olympic women's gymnastics, especially gymnast Aly Raisman, who became your absolute favorite. Your excitement for the sport was both surprising and adorable. You even changed the screen saver on our I-Pad to Aly's picture. Too funny!

As summer drew to a close and school was finally upon us, you became even more of a lovey kid, giving big hugs and proclaiming, "I missed you so much!" after Goddard one day. It was a wonderful surprise that made my day.

Finally, it was the eve before the first day of school and we attended 'Meet the Teacher' and dropped off your school supplies (all except your BB8 backpack which you were so excited to show off as you marched in the first day). That night I read our traditional letter for back to school about being grateful, being kind, and being brave. I love that letter. And while I can't take credit for writing it (thank you, Glennon Doyle Melton of Momastery), I wouldn't miss passing along its beautiful message for the world. You are even becoming more thoughtful about it, asking questions and having deeper insight. The conversations we have around this letter are priceless. I just love this tradition so much.

The next morning, it was showtime for 3rd grade!! I am beyond proud to report that the first day went super! Daddy and I both got to do drop off together and you did awesome. At pick up, I asked how the day went and your reply was, "Goody!" More details came later, as usual. All in all, a huge success!

our family, all ready for the first day of 3rd grade!

obligatory (in our family, anyway) silly shot

bunny ears and peace signs

the world's biggest 3rd grader

a little something I shared with our friends on Facebook

forgot to take pictures of just you with your sign so I
snapped these two after you got home from school
(still the first day so all good, right?!)

That weekend after the first day of school I had a girls' trip to go on with some friends and so you and Daddy were on your own for a few days. Well, you two definitely made the most of it, to say the least. Daddy took you to a huge local event where you helped make lunches to feed the homeless in our area. You whole-heartedly pitched in to help put together 1,300 lunches! Whoa, right?! It was an amazing experience for you both. I am so, so incredibly proud of you!

to give you a little contrast, here was what I did...

and the following pictures are what you did...

our friend, Jay, is who got you both
involved in this great experience

from start to finish, you were amazingly willing
to pitch in in any way you could

this guy (Matt) took a special interest in you and was so
tickled to have you as his little helper all day

see? Matt was your buddy fo sho

delivering your lunches to the local shelter

We also had an impromptu dinner with Papa Joe and Patty as they came through town. It was great to help celebrate Patty's 70th birthday and meet Stacy's brother Chris (and his girlfriend and her kid) too.

And of course, more playtime with your neighborhood bud, Darion.

beanies and boots are where it's at...two cool kids right here
(plus a bonus doggie photo bomb by Suzy)

Courtney also moved back to OSU this month too so we got a visit from some of our San Diego peeps as they helped get her all settled in. As you can see from these pictures, you had a blast and absolutely fell in love with Courtney's girlfriend, Vanessa, who is here to visit for a while with Courtney.

what the heck is going on here? lol

Vanessa was so good with you the whole time
we were all together

You even got to take a trip to the Wilds with Lao Lao and her neighbor, Denise (and her niece, Essence). Evidently, you and Essence were quite silly together in the backseat. I'm glad you had a good time!

at The Wilds

Finally, August was capped off by continuing to adjust to 3rd grade and luckily declaring that Mrs. O'Reilly is the funniest teacher ever. I am so relieved that she is (so far) surpassing your expectations, and then some. You've even been motivated to do your homework (20 minutes of reading) each night with minimal nagging. Pretty amazing. All in all, a great start to 3rd grade!

Love,
Mama