Creekside, Audrey's Art Show, and Exploring the Outdoors

Maliana ~

This past week was a bit of a tough one for me. I got some difficult news in relation to a tooth infection from some trauma it must have endured at one point or another and am now facing various procedures from a specialist over the next several months in the hopes of getting it under control. If it’s one thing that I hope you do much differently than your dear old mom, it's learn how to accept bad news and deal with the unknown gracefully. I am still working on that one. So, that being said, this week I have been on an emotional roller coaster, which means that I have not been able to be nearly as attentive as I would have liked lately. In spite of this, life goes on and many other good things have happened, so I will highlight those for you.

For one, the sun has been out a wee bit more, which is lovely and makes for interesting family portraits…

our family ~ riding your bike over Hoover

Mr. Adam hosted a little showcase of what you kids have been working on in his Spotlight on Kids drama classes at school. I got to see you perform Alice in Wonderland with your friends. It was an informal and fairly disorganized little show, but you did fabulously and knew all the parts. You are so expressive and attentive. I was very proud of you and you beamed as you acted out the various roles. It was adorable!

with your certificate from Mr. Adam

Speech went great again this week, and we got to spend our usual time at Tim Horton’s before school. With me dealing with my mouth pain and dosages of antibiotics and ibuprofen, I’ve been a bit distracted and like I alluded to before, was just not myself. As we got out of the car, you were excited to see Ms. Beth (your teacher, who had been out the day before) and said, “I can’t wait to see my real mom!” (Huh?) I asked what you meant by “real mom” and you replied, “Because she’s in my heart”…(ohhh!) So we talked about how great it was that our hearts are so big that they can have love in them for so many different people who are special to us. You agreed that yes, your heart was “HUGE HUGE HUGE!” You happily skipped into school and gave Ms. Beth a big hug. I shared with her what you had said and it really made her smile. As I walked back to the car, I reflected on the fact that some parents might feel intimidated by this little exchange. However, surprisingly I just felt grateful. I felt grateful that not only do you and I have such a strong relationship that I don’t feel concerned by this "real mom" comment, but also thankful that you have other adults in your life who make a positive difference, that you clearly adore, are comforted by, can lean on and seek for solace, and know that you are loved right back by them. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve realized that love is not a finite commodity, but rather something that multiplies tremendously the more it is shared. Kind of my whole point in affirming to you how wonderful it is that our hearts are so big that they can hold endless supplies of love. This exchange was perfect timing during a week when I felt like I was not being completely 100% present due to my own problems. I was comforted to know that you still felt very happy and loved in spite of it. It was a win-win. Love is never, ever wrong.

And speaking of saying interesting things lately, one night at Taco Bell (your drug dinner of choice lately), you thoughtfully asked me, “Mom. Is everything in the world inside someone’s mouth?” (Huh?) I asked what you thought and you said, “Maybe?” Geesh…I didn’t think you would start asking such trippy questions until college. What in the world goes on in that brain of yours? Ha.

By Friday I was starting to feel like I needed to get out and do something fun with you to feel a little more normal, so we went to Spoon Me for frozen yogurt and then on to Creekside to explore and feed the ducks and geese. It was a really nice afternoon in the fresh air. On the way home you said, “Mom! My hands smell like frogs!” Yep…I’d say it was a successful outing.

where to Mali?

c'mere buddy

you kept making these little piles of popcorn on
all the rocks so the ducks could eat them

target practice

exploring

probably why your hands smelled like frogs

rock collection you worked so hard to get

Creekside fountains

running from the fountain splashes

Saturday was a busy day. You and Daddy got up early to go to your dance class (which they eventually found out wasn’t scheduled – oops!) so you killed time before Daddy had to get his hair cut on that side of town by eating breakfast at Bob Evans and hitting up the dollar store. After coming home, we headed to our neighbors’ (Brooklyn and Braycen’s) birthday party and then after that, we immediately were off again to Audrey Ayi’s first solo art show reception at the Oak Room gallery during Gallery Hop. The show went great and we are all very happy for Audrey.

Mr. and Mrs. Wideman, with their daughter, the artist

Audrey was so thoughtful, even on her big night, and
brought you a gift of art supplies to keep
you occupied. you loved it!

silly

you said your favorites were the two behind you...
the dolly and the landscape

 

with the artist ~ Audrey Ayi

Sunday morning we got your official five year old pictures taken and we get to pick them up in about ten days. I'm so excited to see the finished product. This time, we decided to let you choose your own outfit, one that really expresses who you are, and you ultimately chose a green dinosaur shirt (that I specially made for you), your favorite skater shirt, jeans and green converse. It was definitely a “Mali outfit” and you were clearly more comfortable in it, interacting and goofing around with the photographer during the whole session. You had a ball.

Once home, you played with Brooklyn and Braycen a bit more…this warmer weather is awesome. C’mon spring!

going topless with your buddy Brooklyn

I went back down into one of my funks on Sunday afternoon, letting my worries consume me again (unfortunately). But thankfully, Daddy picked up the slack and took you across the creek and into the woods out back to hunt for bugs and salamanders, then came home and you both built a “campfire” with the stones from our Creekside adventure right on our front porch. Imagination is an awesome thing. Your love for all of these outdoor adventures really got me thinking that Girl Scouts might be right up your alley.

attempted nap in the hammock = fail

 

hunting for salamanders

c'mon Dad!

 

 

potty break in the woods...my little country girl

campfire!

Daddy helping stoke the fire

That night, your fun with Daddy continued as he took you to KDB for games and CPK for dinner. You were silly and danced around the whole time, clearly ‘happy happy happy’. You both even got to see your favorite server Jeri at CPK…with you excitedly saying “Jeri’s my friend!” which made Jeri reply “You just made my night Mali.” Then when the manager came around to check on you guys, you gave big props about your bud Jeri, exclaiming to him, “Jeri’s my best friend!” Ha. Then as Daddy sat with you, finishing up your dinner, he said, “I just love you so much Mali”, and you came back with, “I love my family!” I tell ya kid…you’re right. Your heart really is HUGE HUGE HUGE…you just spread the smiles and love wherever you go.

first note you wrote, sounding it out on your own...
wanting me to make sure I didn't let Abby
outside when you were gone, afraid she
would mess up your campfire
"NO NO NO..."

you are well over 2000 tickets at KDB...saving up
for one of their nicest prizes!

And one final thing before I sign off for the week. Monday morning I had an appointment with an endodontist to get a second opinion on my tooth issue and was, to be honest, scared out of my mind. Well, your Daddy took the time to call me before my appointment and tell me that no matter what happened, he loved me just the way I am. He then recapped many of the reasons he appreciates me, talked about what a happy and loved kid you are, reassured me that I am a good mom, and reminded me of how far I’ve come with overcoming other challenges in my life and to never forget that. It got me thinking. Accepting and meeting our challenges (whatever they are), remembering what is really important in our lives, and loving one another no matter what. That really is what it’s all about.

I also felt so fortunate to have married your Daddy so many years ago, so glad he was still here now to reign me in from my crazy monkey mind and ground me in reality, and so blessed that at least one person loves and accepts me for who I am, no matter what. As for you, no matter whom you choose to spend your life with when you grow up, I sure hope they have those same supportive, thoughtful, loving, and unconditionally accepting qualities as your Daddy. He's a pretty great dude.

Love,
Mama

Happy Easter!

Maliana ~

The week began with you requesting a “work out” from Daddy, who had you running laps through the kitchen/living room, doing squats, sit ups, push ups, and more. Ironically, you loved it and it was hysterical to watch. You have boundless energy!

outside cooling off from your workout

And then you decided to showcase some of your awesome dance moves…I absolutely LOVE these videos.

Imagination Movers' Theme Song

Dancing To 'Paint The Day Away"

Since you’ve been watching so many cooking videos on Youtube lately, you decided to make one of your own with our IPad. Then Daddy took the pineapple angel food cake you had made into work the next day and they made a video for you, thanking you for the treat. Awesome.

And for as many laughs as we had early in the week, we had a few challenges too. One day in particular, we got a report from school that your whole class (you included) had been acting up and were defiant all day. Evidently you decided to bring it home with you. You screamed at me at one point, ran from me when you needed a “time out”, banged so hard on your door while throwing God knows what in your room, and repeatedly opened your door and tried to escape so much while in “time out” that I had to stand there and hold onto the doorknob for a while to keep it closed. It wasn’t pretty for either of us, to say the least. It was tough. Thankfully PMS was on my side and it was much easier to draw a clearer boundary with you that night (without feeling too guilty about it). After a while when you had finally calmed down, we talked about what happened, you apologized to Daddy and I, we hugged it out, and then all of us started over. It reminded me that so much of parenting is trying our best, making mistakes (or at least feeling like we are failing miserably), and revising as we go if needed. I know you may not believe me when I say this, but it NEVER feels good to discipline your kid. *sigh* But it is definitely necessary sometimes. The one thing I try to always make sure to do afterwards though is look in your eyes and tell you that even at your “worst” behaving moments, I love you and always will. There is nothing you can say or do that could ever change that. When it’s all said and done, I think you get it. And that’s really all that matters. You are a good kid. No matter what.

Friday was a crazy day. First we started with speech in the morning, then raced back to drop you at school for a couple hours so you could color Easter eggs with your class, then off to an eye exam (which went great...your eyes are near perfect! much to your disappointment since you were really rooting for glasses), and then dropped you off for lunch and shopping with Lao Lao while I worked for a few hours in the afternoon. It was hard for me to go into work so late on a Friday, but you made it easier by physically pushing me out the door. Ha.

ice cream cone at Easton

the mandatory photo booth pic

Saturday morning I tried to sneak some quiet time for myself in the early morning hours, which lasted all of about 10 minutes before I heard little feet padding out to the kitchen. I asked why you were up so early and you rubbed your eyes and sleepily replied, “Mom, I didn’t feel you.” You love to sleep pressed up against me in some fashion, all night long, so immediately you just know when I get out of bed. Looks like if I want any quiet time, I’ll have to come up with a “mommy dummy” I can slide under the covers so I can slip out of bed undetected. Ha.

Then later that morning, this happened, and I laughed...then locked up the mustard.

Facebook status:
~ watching me color my hair today...Mali closely observed me squirting the solution into my hand and onto my hair. After a while she looked at me and said, "So...it's like mustard...for your hair!" hmmm...sure. we can go with that.

We all dyed Easter eggs together as a family too. You were giddy with happiness, as is usually the case when we’re all together. It was something so simple but really fun. We all definitely needed this family time together immensely.

yep...coloring eggs in your undies is the way we roll

and now we're ON the table

so glad we used spoons so you wouldn't get dye
all over your hands, ha.

nothing beats getting messy

turning into the Incredible Hulk!

You requested to go out to visit Lao Lao that afternoon, so we did. You were excited to see her animals and got to see Papaw Rick on some of his construction machinery too. You LOVE those big machines.

feeding Spirit some apples

I had to run out and get some last minute groceries that night and so you and Daddy went to feed the ducks, but not before going into “stealth mode” and sneaking up on me at Kroger’s where you bought some bread for the ducks. You were hilarious as you spied on me for a while, getting the biggest kick out of the whole situation. You and Daddy are so goofy.

showing a goose where the bread went

On Easter Eve we prepared by leaving some carrots for the Easter Bunny and as we talked about his arrival, you exclaimed, “I am so excited!”

carrots for the Easter Bunny...now
THOSE are the real deal!

a little nervous to put them by the door since
it was so dark outside. you were a bit spooked

Easter morning was overcast and grey, but that didn’t stop us from having fun with the egg hunt inside, and a special Easter Bunny breakfast.

found one!

following the trail of shredded carrots that
the Easter Bunny left behind

the grand prize...thank you Easter Bunny!

my special eggs and bacon Easter Bunny breakfast
(olives for the eyes and carrot stems for the whiskers)

Then, after begging and pleading with you to wear your Easter dress (instead of your beloved T-Rex t-shirt and red cargo shorts), we headed to Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat’s for Easter dinner with the Wilkinsons. Food was great and it was a really nice time with family. You and Sammy are like two peas in a pod, and all of you girls are hilarious. We are going to make so many amazing memories at this year’s OBX beach vacation in June.

better be prepared for a LOT of dogs when
you go to Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat's!

another egg hunt ~ getting a boost from Daddy
to reach one of the higher eggs

the cousins

two peas in a pod

chaotic cousin craziness

I love our family!

you love your deviled eggs!

the whole Wilkinson crew

Daddy, Timmy, and Uncle Kevin

laughing at a silly cat video on Youtube

what the heck is Papaw doing?!



my big girl

the sun finally came out before we left

love that smile!

and this one too!

I am the luckiest mom in the world.
Happy Easter!

Love,
Mama