Tooth Fairies and Thanksgiving

Maliana ~

I think at the end of last week I was mentioning something about how I'd be surprised if your wiggly tooth lasted through Thanksgiving. Well...your wiggly tooth popped out on Monday at daycare, just before lunch! Daddy got a phone call at work so you could share the news with him. You were SO excited! I picked up your tiny tooth in a baggie from daycare before picking you up at school...it was so cute in a very weird way. And you were adorable as you explained the whole process about how you were going to wash your tooth in a half full cup of water because you didn't want to give the tooth fairy a bloody tooth. I love your step by step explanations of things. I also think Miss Jessica was just as excited as you were because when I picked up your tooth, she wanted to give me a play by play of what happened. She said you got a little teary eyed and admitted you were a bit freaked out, but after it stopped bleeding, you did great. As for you...we are now entering a whole new era. I can't deny it anymore...my baby is growing up!

Check out your tooth fairy explanation HERE! So cute!

the gap!

this is what I picked up from school...and you did clean
it up but for some reason, were afraid to hold
it after it was all clean...silly girl!

reading your special Tooth Fairy book before bed
while holding your first lost tooth
in its special box

showing off the box and book before hitting the hay

and voila! the Tooth Fairy has arrived!
(she left you a gold coin, poem,
and of course fairy glitter!)

This week brought with it Thanksgiving...and we actually celebrated it twice. The first time was on the actual holiday and we did our usual pilgrimage across town to Aunt Connie and Uncle Pat's. It was warm, cozy, funny and furry as we had 5 dogs celebrating with us. If there is one thing for certain...one has to love dogs to truly enjoy a Wilkinson Thanksgiving. This year has had a lot of ups and downs for me personally, especially when it comes to the concept of family. Therefore, I really appreciated being able to spend time with this family, the one I was lucky enough to marry into...the Wilkinsons. You don't often come across a group of people that is much kinder or easier to be around than these guys.

cousins = trouble ;)

3 of the 5 dogs (Bosco, Reesie, and Sophie) with Aunt Connie

turkey cupcakes!

and Sammy dog *almost* got all of them!

Wilkinsons ~ Thanksgiving 2013

obligatory silly picture

grandparents with their grandbabies

The second celebration was the very next day, Black Friday. We were smart and stayed in to cook and hang out. It was a much smaller gathering, just as cozy but a little more laid back. In fact, I don't think you got out of your jammies all day. Unfortunately, several of the people who were supposed to come over could not make it, either being due to not feeling up to it (the holidays are tough and can take an emotional toll sometimes) or having to work, etc...however Lao Lao, Grandpa Rick, Uncle Forge, and later Audrey Ayi came over for some yummy food. Our house smelled awesome and you seriously chowed down on the turkey, even begging for some with Abby as Daddy carved the bird. Ha.

helping Lao Lao stir the gravy

begging for some turkey with Abby
(seriously, this Thanksgiving you
could not get enough of the
stuff ~ turkey crazy!)

getting tickled by Uncle Forge

goofballs

That evening we all settled in to watch some TV...Daddy and Audrey watched The Hobbit while you and I tackled decorating the tree. It's always so fun to go through the ornaments each year and you got a kick out of them even more than in years past. You say some of the best stuff...I just love this age! (Of course, I think I'll probably say that every year,,,you're just such a fun kid).

Audrey Ayi!

tree is finished ~ we rock!

Pipsqueak is so lady-like

You and I ended up sleeping on the couch under the Christmas lights on Friday night...what is it that makes that so much fun? Anyway, you were then Daddy's football buddy on Saturday while I went out shopping and running errands. Lao Lao came over that night and took you out for some fun at her house and then back home so you could continue the party while Daddy and I went to see Uncle Vince's show at the Funny Bone and then out for drinks with Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina. You and Lao Lao met us briefly at the Funny Bone so you could see Uncle Vince. I guess on the way there, as you pulled into the parking lot, you told Lao Lao, "I'm not going to call Mom and Dad tonight. I want them to relax and have fun. If I call them, they'll worry and I don't want them to worry." (Um, wow! Are you sure you're not a little old lady in a 5 year old's body?) Such a thoughtful kid, you are.

yay! Uncle V!

It was a much needed night out and always fun to have Lao Lao here for a sleepover. In fact, Daddy and I had set up the Christmas lights through the house so that when you got home you would be surprised. Evidently you were, saying, "Whoa! This is baaad!" when you walked in. (Huh? I haven't heard that since the 80's!) Anyway, seeing you and Lao Lao snuggled into sleeping bags by the Christmas tree was so adorable when we came home.

smooching Daddy on date night (I know..."ewwww!"...right?)

you both crashed by the Christmas tree...in spite of us still
having so many boxes of decorations cluttering it
all up...so adorable.

Sunday we played all morning before putting on your new Christmas dress for your holiday portraits. It must be girl code to do this because as soon as you put on the outfit, you spun in a circle to watch the dress swirl around you. Same as I used to do as a kid. You put everything on without a fight, but when it was time to head out the door, you didn't want anyone to see you because you didn't want them to say, "Oh! She's so pretty!" Evidently, that is one of the main reasons that you shake your head and refuse anything girly. Interesting. My little modest mouse.

We finally headed off to get your pictures taken but since they were all backed up, you and I wandered over to the toy section and played around until they were ready for us. You were so silly all morning which carried over into you doing a wonderful job cooperating with the photographer. I let you pick out a small toy as a reward for doing such a great job and you were so excited to get a Littlest Pet Shop "blind bag"...something you have kept asking for for a while but with your current speech, I had a hard time understanding exactly what you've been saying. Now I know. So glad we found it for you! You also wanted to get a diary and as soon as we got home, you were very careful about writing your first secrets there. You kept asking and making sure, "I'm the only one who can see this, right?"..."No one else can see this, right?"..."Not even my friends can see this, right?" I was actually surprised that you knew what a diary was, let alone wanted one. Very, very interesting. You are getting so much more mature that it takes me by surprise every single day.

showing off your reward

The rest of the evening was pretty calm and quiet...just what we needed to rest up after a long holiday weekend and gear up for the week ahead.

Love you kid,
Mama

Christmas Lights...Everywhere!!

Maliana ~

I got these pictures on Tuesday while I was at work and I can't tell you how much I love these sneak peeks of you at daycare!

reading a sight words book to your class!

playing Legos with your friend, Cassidy

And a funny Mali-ism to start the week (as shared on Facebook):

~ very thankful for our security system...according to Mali, it helps protect us from "Roberts"...and we all know how dangerous they are.

Hump day had us helping at the pantry again...so good to give back, plus getting to spend time with Memaw and Papaw is an added bonus for sure! I wasn't sure when I picked you up at school that day if you'd make it through pantry or not, but when I arrived at daycare, you ran and leapt into my arms and gave me (and all your teachers) big hugs so I knew you'd had a good day and the stamina to head to pantry. I love it when you have had a good day!

We were surprised on Thursday with an invitation to come over to E's house so you girls could play. You were stoked, to put it mildly! It was so nice of them to have you over, feed you dinner, and let you girls completely weird out all night. We love the Yersaviches something fierce!

I woke up sick on Friday morning and since Daddy was home getting ready to head to Notre Dame this weekend, he was able to take you to speech so that I could go to urgent care. A rocky beginning to the weekend, but between the meds and the following pictures that were emailed to me at work...my day got a little brighter.

attempting chopsticks

how sweet is it that you are creating
art about how you love your dog?
(actually made me say "how
sweet" out loud at work)

exploring instruments

you are always so proud when you get to
help with the calendar!

I also attended your first ever IEP meeting at school (which went very well - no surprise there) and as we walked to the car you saw your daycare teacher, Miss Amanda, picking up some of your friends at the elementary school. You insisted that you needed to say hi to her and made me race the bus all the way back to your daycare so that you could give Miss Amanda a big hug for the weekend. I just love that you feel so close to your teachers...and by the smile on her face when she realized that we came back just so you could give her a hug, I could tell that you really made her afternoon. I love that about you!

While it was a drizzly, grey and rainy day, there was no way we were going to let that dampen our attending the Easton tree lighting that night. We swung over and picked up Aunt Tina and Erin and headed to Easton. Luckily, the rain held off and we enjoyed a chilly but beautifully bright evening in the magical glow of the newly lit Christmas tree and all of the other thousands of lights that adorn this gorgeous area this time of year. It all looks so majestic, like you are stepping into a holiday movie. While we strolled around, it was fun to see you and Erin skipping while holding hands, squealing, laughing, acting rambunctious, and thoroughly enjoying one another's company. It makes me feel so good to see your friendship growing as you are both getting older. We made sure to step into the Cafe Bistro in Nordstrom's for some dinner and then on to get some hot cocoa and of course Fuzziwig's for candy before leaving. It was a terrifically simple and spontaneous evening of fun...great way to kick off the holiday season!

I love how you are looking up at E...oh, how you adore her!

fun night with these awesome ladies

you both held hands nearly all night...
it was adorable!

we love the HUGE tree at Easton!

I also have to mention a funny conversation we had on our way over to pick up Aunt Tina and Erin. You were chattering away from the backseat and told me that you wanted to have two kids when you are a grown up, but you don't want "that married stuff." When I asked you why, it boiled down to you not wanting to have to wear "that itchy dress" at a wedding. Ha. I then asked what you thought marriage was, like, "What do married people do?" To which you proceeded to tell me, "You find the perfect person. Like Daddy found you and you found Daddy. Then you go on a date. Then you ask them to marry you." Ha ha. Yep, kiddo. You pretty much nailed it, more or less. I love asking you questions like this and seeing what your responses are...you absorb more than I realize you have sometimes. Your take on life is great.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Chinese class. Ms. Lily was her ever energetic self and you all made indian head-dresses in honor of Thanksgiving, working on your colors and counting in Mandarin. So cute!

You and I headed to the grocery store and then home to relax for a bit until it was time to meet the Fu group at the Zoo Wildlights that night. Lao Lao joined us and while it was very cold, especially when the wind would pick up, we had a really nice time and it always looks so amazing there. Once home, we were all settling in to eat a late dinner together and as you were using the restroom on your own, I heard you say to yourself, "What a fun day!" So adorable...I couldn't agree more!

telling Santa that you want the LPS Rescue Tails
Center and Planes toys

you and Delaney, eating your decorated cookies

checking out the aquarium with Lao Lao

you and Delaney, picking out your favorite fish

saying hi to Scuba Santa ~ this was SO cool!!

After a cold couple of evenings, we were due for a little warmth and relaxation and so we had a lazy Sunday, beginning with dinosaur banana pancakes...

Then hung around the house, cleaning, organizing, and starting to get out decorations for Christmas. Yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I just can't help myself!

Daddy came home in the afternoon and we were very happy to see him! Good for us all to be under one roof again. It was a simple and lazy evening after that. I guess I wore you out this weekend because you ended up falling asleep in my arms just before bedtime. I'm not one to complain about a little extra snuggle time with you though. Earlier that night you showed me how wiggly your tooth is getting and I'll be surprised if it lasts through Thanksgiving. It reminded me that pretty soon you'll be too big to fit in my lap so I will take what I can get and savor it all now, while you're still my tiny little monkey.

Love,
Mama

Two Weeks Until Thanksgiving But Feeling Very Thankful Already

Maliana ~

Monday was Veterans' Day and while we did make sure to discuss what a veteran is and what they have done and are doing...we also were able to have an easy morning before school. I had some carpet cleaners coming at 8:30am, so we hunkered down in the family room with breakfast, Nickelodeon, and a game of checkers until they were done. Afterwards, we headed outside for a walk in the leaves with Abby and got just cold enough to really appreciate the hot tomato soup, grilled cheese, and hot cocoa lunch that I made before taking you to daycare to ride to school with your friends.

crunching through the leaves

mmm...tomato soup and grilled cheese!

You wanted me to stay at daycare long enough to watch you get on the big bus and head off to your school. As I waved and watched you climbing on the bus, I yelled, "Have fun! I love you!" as you peeked out the windows and waved back at me. Once again, I got that pang of wishing I could do this kind of thing every day. I love our stolen moments together.

Tuesday you accompanied me to the monthly PTA meeting and got to play in the gym with some other kids while us parents discussed everything. Luckily, you saw a little boy who is in your kindergarten class (which was nice) but you also enjoyed some new kids, making good on your statement just before we left for the school of "I can make new friends!" You do have your shy moments but I'm so glad that you can be a much more outgoing kid than I was at your age. You had a good time and it was neat to notice a couple more teachers at the school who knew you by name. I love that you are fitting in so wonderfully here.

You ran over to Lowes with me after the meeting and we got to see Markie at work who showed you how he uses the big lumber saw. Pretty cool...

explaining how that big saw works to you

And you were very amazed when we walked into the garden center and took in all of their holiday decorations, breathlessly exclaiming..."Ohhhh....wow!" I have to admit, it definitely helped get me in the spirit too. Maybe we'll decorate earlier than usual this year.

reading some of the Christmas books on display

this tree was so huge, I couldn't even fit it all in the picture

In keeping with this ever-growing Christmas spirit, we also decided to try something a little different this Wednesday night. It is typically the one night of the week that Memaw and Papaw help out at their church's food pantry and so I had an idea. Our friend and adopted "Auntie" Jo in Colorado has recently shared with us her current self-proclaimed mission to step up and reach out to help the homeless in her area. We are so proud of what she is doing with her friends out there and I am very thankful as it has given me endless opportunities to discuss with you the issue of poverty and homelessness. It has led to many questions and some great ideas. With you being only 5 (and a half ~ can't forget the half!), I realize you are trying very hard to grasp the concepts but it is tough...after all, your brain is still working in very concrete ways for the next few years. It dawned on me that we could kill two birds with one stone by pitching in at the food pantry...helping all of the wonderful people out down there and giving you a real life experience at the same time.

We arrived at the church and walked around back, where the line for the pantry began. Memaw and Papaw were so happy to see you! They let us help in the bagging area where we spent most of the evening putting together grocery bags full of food that more volunteers would then wheel out to peoples' cars so they could take them home. I am happy to report that you LOVED it. You did amazingly well and were cranking out the bags *almost* as fast as some of the adults. I was so proud of you for holding your own so well. You were such a huge help. Some of the others joked that you must have been the youngest volunteer they'd ever had and made more jokes about child labor laws. Ha. By the time we left, we were all pretty hungry. We went out to eat at a local burger joint and as you said, "I'm starving!" while we waited for our food, it gave me another excellent opportunity to talk to you about poverty and hunger and how it must feel to have to go to bed at night feeling that hungry. Once again, I tried bringing it all back to what we were doing there at the pantry earlier. I tried to make it click. I'm hoping that some of what we did that night resonates with you...I'm hoping that we planted some good seeds in there...I'm hoping that all of those families that we helped tonight can find some peace as we go into a cold and difficult time of year for so many...I'm just hoping.

helping Memaw load the grocery bags with food

helping with the grandparents was fun and I am so thankful
for all they do for others on a regular basis...we couldn't
leave the pantry tonight and not feel quite humbled
by the experience. very, very grateful...

After a pretty good week, the weekend had finally arrived and we kicked it off in style on Friday with a visit from Audrey Ayi ~ always a fun time with her!

craziness

Saturday morning we woke up to breakfast with Memaw and Papaw at Cracker Barrel. Love time spent with these two!

checkers with Papaw after breakfast

and a piggyback from Memaw on the way to the car

Then it was the beginning of the weekend of birthday parties! Saturday we celebrated with Lainey and Sunday we celebrated with Jack ~ both turning the big 5!! How in the world are all of you kids getting so old?!

just before Daddy stuck his nose in your cupcake icing,
goofy Daddy

Lainey's party

silly girls

while Jack opened his gifts, you had a special job from Ms. Pam

you wrote down the list of who gave Jack which gifts...
and loved every minute of being Pam's big helper

playing trains with the birthday boy before we left

A fun weekend that went way too fast, as usual.
Now off to begin the new week!
Love,
Mama