A Wedding, a Dash, and Family Day Pics Round 3

Maliana ~

First day of the week brought our first official harvest of sugar snap peas. Love that you are so excited about vegetables!!

Then Daddy took you on a date to ride your bike around at Safety Town, out for frozen yogurt, and to demo some golf clubs which you were so stoked to tell me about when you got home. Daddy was pretty stoked to finally get a golf club in your hand too!

south paw?

So, as a side note, have I told you how cool it is to watch you begin to “get” the more subtle jokes in movies now? Or how fun it is to see you whip up a crayoned family portrait in no time flat? Or how you are getting old enough now to get into playing games together, making silly jokes and bantering back and forth across the table during Go Fish, Bingo, or putting puzzles together? Or even how slap happy you get telling stories or laughing at farts in bed as I'm trying to get you to settle down? Anyway, just a few of the cool things I had to mention about your getting older. As hard as it can be sometimes to watch the march of time, there are always up sides too.

Moving along, you had your first big overnight and out of town adventure this week. Lao Lao took you with her to Chillicothe so you could be a part of a Boy Scout campout event with Uncle Forge’s troop. You listened to Heywood Banks songs all the way down, made sure to spell your name for Lao Lao at the camp office check-in (supportively saying “Gooood!” as she printed each letter), got a personal tour of camp by one of the scouts (with you taking particular interest in their outdoor toilets-ewww), took your own tray through their dining hall for dinner (feeling big and swaggering as you told them where to put the gravy, etc), hang out with the scouts, learn how to tie all kinds of rope knots, climb on some structures they built, attend a bonfire, watch a bunch of silly skits, and of course have lots of fun with Lao Lao on your first girls’ trip away from home sans Mom. While I was nervous about you being so far away from home without me, I knew you were in good hands with Lao Lao. After all, she kept three of us kids alive, right? Anyway, while I bit my nails, I don’t think even an inkling of anxiety ever crossed your mind. You were SO excited. Lao Lao said the scouts really took you under their wing and enjoyed having you there and vice versa. You loved every minute of it. You didn’t get back to the hotel until 11:30pm, and to bed well after midnight. By the time you got home the next day I was expecting you to be exhausted, but you were still going strong. However, I can’t say the same for Lao Lao. Where you get your energy, I will never know.

the infamous Ski

learning to tie knots

with Papaw Rick

rocking out to Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger"

Friday the 13th lived up to expectations and brought with it a strange occurrence...an impromptu "wedding" imagined up and requested by you after school. I about fell over when you said, "I wanna get married" and proceeded to put on your frilliest dress, heels, make me create a bouquet for you out of a week old vase of flowers on the kitchen table, put a flower in your hair, and even wore your mood ring. It was hysterical (and so out of character for you), but what's even more hysterical is that you played along with me as your wedding day photographer. You also told me again that you wanted to marry me and when I asked why, you said, "Because you're my friend." Too sweet. I commented that you are wise because it is definitely always a good idea to marry your best friend. Hopefully you'll remember that when you are older. When you're young, it unfortunately can be all about the outside appearance, and more often than not that has NOTHING to do with how beautiful a person is on the inside or who they are as a whole person. And another truth of it is that the most gorgeous person in the world's looks will inevitably fade as they get older, their strength will dwindle, and they won't physically appear as the same person you met or married anymore. And vice versa for you to them too. That's a fact. But the good news is that if you can find someone who is beautiful on the inside, who knows how to make you laugh, who brings out your best and loves all of you (including and especially the imperfections), if you can find someone with whom you can continue to have good conversations with as the years go by, then that's a true keeper.

Romey let us borrow his skateboard
for an action shot in your "married dress"

you insisted on getting into this
little archway

what a poser!

getting ready to throw the bouquet perhaps?

"how YOU doin'?"
giving Braycen a sniff of your bouquet

All of this talk of relationship brings to mind a movie...Good Will Hunting. A classic in my opinion. Two scenes in particular stick out in my mind. Both include Robin Williams and Matt Damons' characters in conversation, the first outside by a pond and the second during a therapy session, both addressing in different ways the challenges of overcoming fears of intimacy. They are terrific scenes. In fact, the whole movie is fabulous. If you haven't seen this movie already, pick it up and watch it. You just might like it. It has been and probably will remain one of my favorites.

But I digress...back to the week.

So, just after sunrise on Saturday morning we woke up and hauled our butts downtown for a wonderful cause, the 5K Dash for Donation, to remember your Uncle Dustin and think about all of the other people whose lives have been changed by organ donation. You were amazingly perky for that early in the morning and did great for the entire walk. It was pretty moving to see that sea of green shirts walking and running through downtown.

getting ready for the Mascot Dash where you made me
carry you the whole way...

but you got a medal anyway!

silliness on the race route

while we walked, Aunt Lindsey ran this one...yay Lindsey!

rain or shine...we wouldn't miss this!

Immediately following the dash, we headed to meet your Fu Group at the Powell Splash Pad and playground. It was nice to see all of these families and in spite of being pretty exhausted, you rallied for a wild time at the park, as well as lunch and Graeter's ice cream with friends later.

Mia, you, and Delaney

you were so proud of yourself for being
able to run through the big sprinkler

goofballs

a little baby Freddy love

the Friend family; Joshua, Ting, Todd, Bo Bo, and Jane

the Neuhausels; Fred, Freddy, Michelle, and your bud Mia

little Freddy was thinking of going in for a kiss here...

and you were quite smitten with him too

high five goodbyes!

And finally Sunday we spent our time with the perfect mixture of chores and relaxing. I was able to sneak out early and take the dog for a run, and then came back where we gently started the rest of our day by lounging around the house until we headed off to get our third annual Family Day pictures taken. I can't believe we're on round 3 of these already! What made it all the more appropriate was your rendition of "Family" by Lori Berkner to serenade us on the way there. So cute!

sneak peak at your Family Day picture outfit

The rest of the day was spent doing crafts (construction paper, scissors, and glue are as magical as fairy dust to a 4 year old), a few more chores, and taking a nice long nap. It's been what seems like forever since we had a Sunday like this. We may not have been the busiest of families today, but the slower pace and fewer demands allowed us to better enjoy even the most mundane of tasks together. Our little clan of Wilkinsons makes a pretty good team if I do say so myself.

Love,

Mama

My little firecracker turned into a FISH!

Maliana ~

Counting our lucky little stars and feeling thankful that Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina let us use their pool pass to begin our festive 4th of July week. I've been really wanting to get you more comfortable in the water and today I think we made big strides. The pool was the perfect temperature and in a matter of a little over two hours you had sufficiently turned into a fish...or at least a tadpole. You have had an aversion to going underwater and generally become, to put it bluntly, massively pissed when I force the issue and dunk you (hey, it's what they tell us to do at swim lessons!) But on this evening, you went underwater not once but TWICE, and only one of those times were you moderately pissed at me for a bit. At one point you even walked over, tossed off your floaties, and determinedly swaggered back to the pool to test out the waters on your own. What a little cowboy you are! We packed a picnic dinner and enjoyed ourselves until it was time to come home and greet Daddy after work. I am so proud of your accomplishment. Definitely a step in the right direction to becoming a true swimmer!

not cooperating with my "picnic picture" but
still cute anyway

The fourth of July was great this year. Began it with a very hot and steamy Doo Dah parade with Daddy, Uncle Flint, and Lao Lao. As always, there was a lot of silly fun and you made out like mad with all the candy and toys from marchers. Better than most other parades all year I'd say!

gotta wear tie-dye to Doo Dah

comparing Airhead tongues

there is no better bizarre hodgepodge of people than
is found at the Doo Dah parade

trying on our moustaches from the parade

We stopped home for a nap and some cool air before heading back out to your great Uncle Pat and Aunt Connie's house for a cookout and to watch the Reynoldsburg fireworks. They had set up a pool in their back yard and it was a huge hit, along with the fireworks (snakes and smokebombs) and popsicles we brought. You adore your cousins and had a spectacular time (as usual) with them, as well as made two new friends. I tell you what though, you and Sammy are two peas in a pod. I haven't seen this much concentrated cousin love in a while. Ha. Also, you conquered your fear and achieved a big milestone on this "birthday of America"...you went underwater ALL BY YOURSELF! I couldn't believe it! You were so proud, and so were Daddy and I! Way to go sister! It's amazing what a little encouragement, role modeling (a la your cousins), and practice will do. You rock!

we knew we had to snap a few pics of our matching outfits
as soon as we got there since you made a bee-line
right for the pool and stayed there all night!

lots of fun pups at Pat and Connie's house

little poser

cousin love

silliness

more love

And here is the video of you showing off your new pool trick!

peas in a pod

with your cousins and new friend Lauren

lining up the snakes to light

smoke bomb!

Happy 4th of July!

crazy cousins

yelling at Daddy to get out of the street...then
doling out his punishment (see below)

Daddy had to go sit with his Mommy for a time out

you, Sammy, and new friend Jack

"weren't those fireworks great Mali?"

Only one day of work in between the 4th of July and another day off for FAMILY DAY!! Our third anniversary ~ wow! Time flies! After school on this particular day, you and I ran errands as I was trying to wrap my brain around planning for the next big shindig, our 3rd Annual Family Day Potluck. Anyway, as I herded you into the car you turned to me and asked, "Mommy, will you stay in my heart forever?" Best question all day. Hands down. And of course my response was a resounding, "YES!"

In the midst of the errands, you were remarkably patient and well-behaved so I bought you some new knee and elbow pads, as well as gloves...all Cars themed. From the picture below, you can tell you were feeling pretty badass.

oh yeah, this chic is ready to rumble!

I woke up on Family Day and snuck into the kitchen to cook you your requested breakfast of bacon and eggs. You stumbled out of bed later and were happily astonished to have smelled the bacon all the way back in the bedroom. Always a good way to wake up in my book.

Unfortunately, our relaxing morning was turned upside down fairly quickly. We got word after breakfast that Aunt Tina’s dad had passed away during the night. I felt so awful for her. It’s been one of the first of any of my close friends who have lost a parent. In moments like the ones that followed, I felt so helpless. It also really brought to light all of the anxieties I have been having recently about the fragility of life. I went to see Tina that morning, if to do nothing else but give her a hug, and before I went you gave me a picture of butterflies that you had made and told me, “to help you stop crying.” You are so sweet. If only it were that simple.

We ended up taking Sam and Erin for the day and night while Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina headed to Elyria to be with family. We made the best of it and since it was stiflingly hot, we hightailed it to the pool. One good thing about the heat though was that it reminded us of Guangzhou those three years ago when we first met you. Boy was it like a sauna every day there! The heat on this third anniversary of our Family Day just provided a physical reminder of the experience of those first few days with you. Ha.

You were a wild woman in the pool, with even more tricks like tea parties and kisses underwater, even cannon-balling in from the steps so you are completely submerged in the water (all on your own). You are such a quick study! I am so proud of you, facing and conquering your fears like this.

celebrating Family Day by sticking ice cubes down
Daddy's swim trunks at the pool = hilarious!

you, Sam, and E

group shot with "Sam the Ham"

So, here is a video of you "swimming" to Daddy in the pool...look at you go! And here is yet another video of you attempting a cannonball on your own!

In spite of the sad circumstances for Tina and Joe, we did have a fun sleep over with the kids. Here is a little sampling of the craziness that ensued that night. Needless to say, if Daddy and I never hear "Call Me Maybe" again, we'd be perfectly content.


Uncle Joe came back the next afternoon and after we dropped Sam and Erin off, you plopped into a deep sleep for a couple of hours. You woke up for a quick trip to Target with Lao Lao and were once again asleep for the night. Recovering from sleepovers is exhausting business for kids!

Sunday morning you and I woke up slowly, with you suggesting we tell each other stories in bed. You had no interest in getting up at first, just wanting to lounge around with me and chat instead. It was one of those moments I love. And while so many critics argue against co-sleeping with your kids, I feel I could just as validly argue that they are missing these little memory-making moments that are so priceless and fleeting in a childhood. So I say, why not? But I digress.

Anyway, it wasn’t quite as hot on Sunday, but we chose to hit the pool again anyway. It's actually gotten pretty tough to keep you away from the pool this week with your newfound skills. Lao Lao came with us and you showed her your tricks, as well as a surprising new one. Dive sticks! Lao Lao was so impressed to see how far you have progressed in such a short time. Our little rock star!

After pool time, we hustled to Wai Gong’s for dinner with Memaw Lisa, Uncle Blaize, Uncle Johnny, and Ggma. We mostly just relaxed, played on the trampoline, and even flew a kite for a bit. You are really maturing, warming up to everyone, and not nearly as stingy with your hugs as you used to be, even yelling to Ggma as she walked out the door, “Wait! Wait! Wait!” and gave her a big hug. It was a nice way to wrap up the week for us all.

let's go fly a kite!

catching the kite

Love,
Mama

Oh yeah, and P.S.
Another little funny to round out the week...here is a status that Daddy posted about you on Facebook.

~~Mali is obsessed with the song "Call Me Maybe". God help us. In one of the verses it says "Pennies and Dimes for a Kiss". Mali thinks it's "Panties Down for a Kiss". Again...God help us!!!~~

We love you silly girl!