A Whirlwind of Ups, Downs, Laughter, and Traditions

Mali ~

Hey, Sweetie. What a month. Where to begin?

First, you were awarded Super Star Student of the Month at your school, from Nov. to Dec., for being respectful, responsible, kind, and a good role model for others. You brought home a certificate and were so excited to show us. We are so proud of you! Well, we are always proud of you, but it feels extra special when others can see what we see too. Yay!

I always like December because of Christmas (or Hannukah or Kwanzaa or...you get the drift). I love the "giving season" and how it brings out the generosity, kindness, and warmth in so many people. It gives us an extra reason to pause, embrace, and appreciate each other and all of the little moments that make life beautiful.

So, this December was no exception to that joy I feel. First, it brought much more unexpected time with your grandparents, in particular Memaw and Papaw. Dad's taken you to breakfast with them and they have taken you with them when going back and forth to playdates at your cousins' house or out shopping with Memaw. They are getting to know you more with some spontaneous one on one time that they don't typically get and are really enjoying it.

you are so excited to have matching transition lenses 

with Memaw and Papaw, haha

We also had a delayed Thanksgiving gathering with the Wilkinson family early this month, a pleasant carry over from November. I'm glad that we kept tradition. It probably wouldn't feel the same without a Thanksgiving of seeing your cousins and trying to eat turkey and stuffing while guarding your plate from the 5 dogs at Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat's house. Right? Ha ha.

Daddy had to go back down to Florida this month for work and so Lao Lao came to stay with us again for another week. I am so grateful that she is able to come and help us out like this. It allows for our lives to have the least disruptions as possible as Daddy is out of town, which is unbelievably appreciated. As usual, it was a comfort to have her here and you are always so excited when she comes to stay. You told me her breakfasts are your favorites. I think you really like the extra time she spends chatting with you before school. Thank goodness she is a morning person. She makes even the most mundane things pleasant or even fun.

matching jammies

you've even tested out sleeping in your own bed lately too...

look how peaceful you look under the Christmas lights

in your window

But, it wasn't all good news this week. This business trip of Daddy's happened at a particularly difficult time. The week prior to him leaving, we found out that our bunny, Psycho aka Buncake, had severe wounds (from his brother) and had developed a very bad infection (30 abscesses had developed) throughout his body and he needed surgery. Daddy had to leave on the same day that our bunny was going in for his surgery. We were hopeful but very nervous. After the bunny came home, Lao Lao and I had to get up at 4:30am in order to administer medication and flush his wounds for 10 days, twice a day. Unfortunately, bunnies are very delicate. That, combined with the fact that the vet told us that these wounds were the worst she had ever seen in a rabbit, and he sadly didn't make it. Luckily, he hung on until Daddy came home. Daddy slept with him on the floor in his room with one hand in the cage on him all night while the other bunny hopped all over Daddy. Sadly, Psycho/Buncake deteriorated rapidly overnight and Daddy and I knew we couldn't allow him to suffer any longer. It was heartbreaking for us all and so hard to see you experience your first pet loss. You have such a tender heart.

I thought for sure, with a name like this, he might have

a fighting chance at surviving. alas, our sweet Psycho

is now binky-ing somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge.

RIP, little guy

As painful as it was to lose a beloved pet, December continued to march on. You wrote a letter to Santa and asked me to mail it, even folding and addressing it yourself. I especially like how you spelled his name. Santa Claws.

We also had our first snowfall in early December. It's always exciting to see that. You and the dogs couldn't wait to go race around in the flakes.

trying to make a snow angel without getting

run over by a dog doing zoomies

you are the only kid I know who begs

to scrape snow off the car

watching a little SNL with Pippy

Look who showed back up for Christmas! Santa Claus, Jr!

this elf is a trouble maker

forced kitty snuggles

As we figured out how to soothe ourselves while mourning the loss of Psycho/Buncake, it was helpful to throw ourselves into spoiling his brother, Bun Bun. Evidently, rabbits can become so depressed that they can die when they lose a litter mate/friend or when you simply don't spend enough time with them. So far, Bun Bun seems to be doing just fine. Thank goodness.

Once Daddy was home from Florida, he was determined to create some fun, holiday family time. One night he surprised you and me by decorating the car with Christmas lights and we all went ice skating. He blindfolded us and wouldn't let us look until we were snuggled in the backseat and he had turned on Christmas music. We made some good memories that night.

you in the backseat, Daddy leaning in from the front

ice skating!

And...here are just a couple of random pictures of some of our fur babies. 

December 20th was the final day of school before winter break and I promised you and Jocelyn that I would take you out to celebrate. We decided on The Melting Pot and I think you both really enjoyed it. I know I did! Jocelyn had never been, so it was fun to see her experience a first. I'm glad that you have friends in your life where you still enjoy each other just as much now as you did when you met almost 5 years ago. I love watching you spend time with good friends. I hope you always have kind, accepting, and supportive people in your life.

making wishes at the Christmas tree fountain

Later that week, your friend Ana from down the street came over for a sleepover. It's pretty typical weekend fair at our house to have this kiddo sleep over, or vice versa. As you can see below, it looks like I had to find another bed to sleep in that night.

On Christmas Eve Eve, we had our annual Garrabrant/Wilkinson dinner at Billy Lee's. Since it was a day early, we beat the crazy Christmas Eve crowds and it was a much quieter, more relaxed meal. Annie Lee (who owns the restaurant) was even able to chat for a little bit. I love coming here for our Christmas Eve tradition.

After dinner, Audrey came over and we decorated Christmas cookies. It was fun and as usual, we had a few questionable designs. I expect nothing less from this crew.

how is it that I always end up losing my lap?

clearly, I don't mind a bit

ta dah! all finished. look at that artwork!

top is Lao Lao's, bottom left is yours, and bottom right is mine

(clearly, I am probably the least creative of us all)

The next day was Christmas Eve, obviously, and while it was a lazy, relaxing day at home for most of us, Daddy had to work beginning around 6pm. Fortunately, he works from home now so he was at least with us all day. He also caught a big break in the action by around 9pm and was able to do the traditional bedtime activities with us on the night before Christmas. Thank goodness!

Merry Christmas Eve from us in our matching jammies!

(penguins this year ~ your choice)

last minute additions to your note for Santa

and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

it appears that you officially hit the wall

cookies (Santa and a spider in a web), milk (with candy cane), and note

Then we all went to bed and...oh. my. gosh.

Look who arrived!

stocking is filled, cookies and milk are gone

tree is stocked with gifts!

And in the morning...look at that face! Merry Christmas, kiddo!

surveying the goods

finding a cookie crumb on the stairs that Santa must have dropped

checking to make sure Santa got all of his treats you left

your stocking is so stuffed its almost as big as you!

Lao Lao joined us for Christmas morning too

Lao Lao's festive hat ~ holiday tradition

Suzy can't believe what a cool toy she got from Santa

Abby got a little help with opening from Daddy

both doggies are so interested in this gift

Pipsqueak got her favorite, wet cat food

that smells like dead fish (blech!)

Lao Lao liked your gift to her ~ a fancy vegetable chopper

GG is in love with his new catnip fishy

even Bun Bun came out to open his gift

Suzy and GG are checking out the fresh Christmas morning snow

2 very sleepy parents

and a sleepy puppy

Memaw and Papaw came over too, a little bit later in the afternoon. It was such a relaxing, lazy Christmas morning so I forgot about my camera after a while. I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures of their visit with us. However, I did get this one.

Daddy and Memaw with the Secret Santa gift that

you helped him pick out for her from St. Philip's

(too funny)

Christmas aftermath....you're in the debris somewhere

and here was the sunrise one morning shortly after Christmas from our

front porch as I was leaving for work...gorgeous, huh?

We never made it to the Wildlights at the Zoo before Christmas so, of course, we chose the absolute coldest night of the year so far to go to them before they took everything down by New Year's. It was a bitter 5 degrees and our fingers and toes were nearly all numb, but there were virtually no crowds at all and it was a beautiful night. Uncle Flint even braved it with us and we were so excited to have him. He teases you mercilessly, just what funny uncles are supposed to do.

you and Lao Lao, doing some type of interpretive dance

all those pretty zoo lights and you two are hunting Pokémon

and looky ~ another addition to our photo booth collection!

We got even more snow before the new year and so one morning, I took the dogs out for a walk. Abby has always loved the snow and Suzy, well, she just loves doing anything with her people so they enjoyed it immensely. 

when she gets in snow, it's hard to tell she's 14 years old

Then...you, me, and Lao Lao went sledding. It was our first time this year and so much fun! I forgot how much I love to just play. I don't give myself enough time to do that. Regardless of how cold we all were, your squeals and laughter make it all worth it. I love seeing you in your element. No matter what or where that is. And Lao Lao is hilarious when she is having fun. Her laughter is contagious.

I think GG wants to check out the snow. He definitely wouldn't last more than a couple minutes before wanting back in, but he is very curious about all of this white fluff outside.

New Year's Eve brought our usual celebration of Lao Lao, Uncle Forge and Kenzie, Daddy, Audrey, you and me. This year you helped Lao Lao make guacamole, had a toast of sparkling grape juice with Audrey, we all played Telestrations and Speak Out (or whatever our knock off version of it is called), snuggled under blankets to watch the ball drop in NYC, and then watched Daddy almost set Kenzie's car on fire with his fireworks. Our cozy little way to bring in the new year. Happy 2018!

guacamole!

cheers!

yikes! are we at the dentist or playing Speak Out?

snuggled up to watch the ball drop

Suzy is not so sure about this new year's business

Daddy is terrorizing you and Audrey

fireworks...right by the car ~ oops!

snuggling with your Audrey ayi

And finally, one of the last days you had off school before winter break was over, your haircut got cancelled at the last minute and so, since we were out and about anyway, I decided to take the opportunity to take you to lunch at Olive Garden. Just you and me. It was such a much needed, one on one, distraction free time with you. We talked and talked about all kinds of things, even some difficult things that you are dealing with right now. Drama with friends and the like. I always feel so honored when you open up and share these important details with me. I hope you always do. And you never fail to amaze me either. I marvel at how fair, sensible, open-minded, empathic, and thoughtful you are...even in the face of great challenges. You have such a strong sense of yourself and are so completely undriven by ego. It is rare and precious. I hope you hang onto this your entire life. We need more people like you in the world. For sure. But for now, I'm just glad that you are in the world and in my life. I learn and will continue to learn so much from you every day.

Love you, Monkey Fish.
Cheers to a brand new year with you!
Mama