A Haircut, A Kitty, and A Dash

Maliana ~

Started the week with a fresh haircut...the shortest it's ever been and you love it! You kept commenting on how different you look. It's the perfect little bob for kindergarten.

so short and so easy...our compromise since you wanted
hair as short as Daddy's or a mohawk!

When we got home, Daddy loved your haircut. After getting settled in, I can honestly say that I have no idea what happened next. Somehow you became in charge of a performance that you dreamed up involving a luchador mask, underwear, flip flops, and the Beastie Boys. You kept telling Daddy exactly what to do and all I am sure of is that Daddy was a very good sport to play along with you. You are one silly kid!

On the way home from school on Tuesday, we chatted about your day. I don't know what sparked this conversation at school, but you told me that you were telling a classmate that boys can marry boys and girls can marry girls. I agreed with you and said that yes, that's right...because love is love, period. It was just a little detail shared from your day, but I love the larger idea that you are getting the message, defeating the needless hatred and bigotry, and attempting to set it straight, one kid at a time. I told a friend of mine what you had said and she replied..."That is the most awesome thing I have ever heard!! She is going to be so amazing!!", and then later..."she inspires me when I see your posts...I swear she will be a person who changes the world...I am sure of it..." I appreciate this friend's support so much, and have to agree with her. If there are enough kids like you, speaking from their hearts and minds (not only about this issue of gay rights, but about so much more), I have such hope for the future and faith in humanity. I hope you always hold tight to your ability to be honest and speak out for yourself and on behalf of others...it will not only serve you well in the future but you can be such a force for good in helping those who need a little help finding their voice too.

And speaking of those who need a little extra help...we took in a rescue kitty Tuesday night as well! She had been dumped at a friend's work over the weekend and needed a home desperately. Fingers crossed it will all work out...she's been a bit of a challenge since we've taken her in. We have an appointment early next week to get her checked out, so hopefully she'll be feeling better and have settled in a little more by then. Hopefully! But anyway...here she is!

first official cuddle time

making a little bit of progress...she's spent most of
her time hiding from all of us so far

We got a visit from Audrey this week (which is always fun) and we ate dinner together and then had a dance party in the living room and played a few other goofy games. Always a good time when Ayi is around!

That particular day I also posted on Facebook about how hard it is for me to find school clothes for you (you start in a month! eek!) because of how pathetically gender-stereotyped the retail stores are with their girls and boys sections. I asked friends for advice on finding clothes for my girl with the "super hero/rock star/dinosaur lover/tomboy style". I got a ton of great suggestions (one of the perks of being connected through Facebook). But I was surprised by a message from Jo, the same friend who remarked on how you will change the world one day earlier in the week. She took it one step further and is taking it upon herself to send you some packages all the way from Colorado (where she lives), handpicking all sorts of clothes that she thinks you will like. I was humbled by her generosity and tickled to think of how excited you will be to get your very own packages in the mail. As we messaged back and forth, we touched on what to tell you when you got the packages from someone you've never met. I told Jo that Mali is aware that I have friends I keep in touch with through Facebook that know a lot about her from my stories. She suggested I tell you that she was sending you these packages because "her mommy and daddy's friend thinks she is a great kid and to keep up the good work!" Wow! What kind words! These compliments from Jo mean a lot to me because I adore Jo. See, I used to work with her at AirNet (where Daddy and I met) and thanks to Facebook, we have been able to reconnect and keep in touch even though we live several states apart. From all I know of her, she is a wise, kind, funny, brave, loving, open-hearted and open-minded, thoughtful, and generous person. She also allows herself to be vulnerable in the best and most enlightening of ways. It's always good to have people like Jo in your life, even if they are miles and miles away. It also takes my breath away to know that you have touched her life in such a way too. So just remember that sweetie. When you are feeling low, or small, or insignificant...you have the ability to inspire people that you have never even met (and you're only 5!) Just like I try to tell you..."I see you. I hear you. You are important!" You make a difference kiddo...remember that. 

Before bed that night, you found some leftover sparklers from 4th of July, so of course we had to light some...

so cool!

making BIG circles now!

Another friend of ours also thought of you this week when she was looking for a new home for her kids' T-Rex sleeping bags. She generously brought them over and dropped them off...you love them! It was so very nice of her to think of you and when I thanked her for them, she said "I knew she was the PERFECT one for them!"

loving your new sleeping bags! so nice!
Thank you Haruna!

Lao Lao came over later that night to babysit 'play like mad' with you and as per usual protocol, you could not wait for her to arrive, were so excited to shoo Daddy and I out the door, and had a blast with her!

After staying up pretty late on Friday, we were exhausted which made Saturday a very long and busy, but good day. We got up early to go to the Dash for Donation to support Aunt Lindsey and the Lifeline of Ohio in memory of your Uncle Dustin. We were all very tired but it is always nice to support a cause as worthy as this one!

showing off your tattoo

ready to roll!

Team Dustin 2013

with our Aunt Lindsey

at the start of the race...gorgeous sunshine to light the way

Then after a nap (which probably should have been longer), we headed to Rittman, OH for Daddy's second cousin, Mathias' graduation party. It is always nice to see that side of the family and there were about a million and one kids there for you to play with so you had a blast! As we drove home, I posted this on Facebook..."~ While cleaning Mali's dirty little feet tonight after she played hard barefoot all evening, I asked her if she knew what dirty feet on a kid means...to which she replied "It means I had fun!" (Yep! We have our summertime priorities straight around here!)" 

Joey trying to bounce you and Sammy

this sweet boy was so nice to you all evening

he took the time to pull you all the way around
the house...what a nice kid!

getting some air

holding hands with Sam

and they had a cool tire swing

hanging out with Joey

giggles

icee break

L to R ~ Pat, Mike, Connie, Memaw, Papaw, and Carol

Sunday was a day spent hanging around the house. It was nice to stay home (for once) and get some stuff done. Plus, the kitty got to know us a bit more and it allowed for you to play with your buds next door for a while. You took a bunch of your Littlest Pet Shop toys out on the back deck and before Brooklyn and Braycen came over, Abby filled in to keep you company. She's such a good pupper. 

LPS fun with Brooklyn

And finally, I've told you before how much you love listening to and singing "Never Grow Up", right? Well, I overheard you talking to your friends and making them listen to this song too, while you sung right along as well. They weren't as big of fans of that song as you, however you didn't let that stop you from singing your little heart out to the whole thing. I love that you are so into such a meaningful song. You are pretty special, kid.

Love,
Mama

Doo Dah, 4th of July, and Family Day!!

Maliana ~

This week started with some minor frustrations, and then added a few more, but by the end it was all good. Because, as our friend Papa Joe (Shaver) says...Life Is Good! But starting at the beginning, the biggest blow was having the 2nd of our cars break down while Daddy was on his way to the gym. So not only has my car been at the mechanic for over 2 months now, but Daddy's spare car's clutch went out too. We are down to just one semi-working car for our family (the Jeep, which has now earned the nickname Chewbacca, Chewie for short, since it makes a funny gurgling noise when you hit the gas). We're down on our luck right now for sure. Fortunately, Memaw and Papaw stepped in and are allowing us to use one of their cars until we get things back up and running again. The spare car, Daddy's beloved '95 Corolla, appears to be on its way to Automotive Heaven. The repair is going to cost about as much as it's worth, which means it's just not worth it. Needless to say, Daddy is heartbroken. I know...I know...there are much worse Earth-shattering things that could happen to our family...but dealing with all of this stuff is just annoying in a big way. I told Daddy we're just going to sell all of our cars and buy Segways to zoom around town on...I'm sure you'd love that! Ha.

A bright spot, in the middle of all this, involved an evening where your friends came over and you all worked very diligently on completely trashing your room and playroom (as kids often do when they're having fun). In spite of us telling everyone that they needed to help pick up before leaving, everyone went home and we could barely walk through your rooms. As I proceeded to help you clean everything up, (while frustratedly muttering under my breath, I might add), we brainstormed about solutions so this would not happen in the future. You could definitely tell I was mad. After all was said and done, we had put everything (mostly) back in its place, you came out and crawled into my lap on the couch. You looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I still love you, even when you're mad." Just like I say to you when you've just thrown a huge tantrum. It took me by surprise to hear those words come out of your mouth. Wow! Kids really do listen. And I'm so glad that while, yes, you are picking up a lot of my other bad habits...you also are picking up some of the good stuff along the way too.

Tuesday night was some good summer fun with outdoor movies at Easton (even if we didn't last the entire movie!)

reading an American Girl catalog with your bud, Brooklyn
(I think my wallet is crying out, NO! already)

Lao Lao always makes time to join us!

gigantic box of Goldfish snacks and ready for the movie to start!

look who came and surprised us ~ Daddy!
(of course, you are clearly into the movie here,
no time for pictures!)

gorgeous night and I loved the twinkling lights on the trees

Headed to Uncle Pat and Aunt Connie's for fireworks on the 3rd...a warm-up for the 4th. For some reason, you were a bit clingy and preferred hanging out with the adults that night. I think you were feeling tired and a little shy because there were some kids you didn't know. You definitely perked up when we started catching fireflies and by then it was almost time for Reynoldsburg's show which we always have a perfect view of from their side yard. I didn't get many pictures but it was a fun group of people and always gobs(!) of cute doggies at these gatherings.

with our cousin Kelly and Jack

watching the fireworks and sharing your seat with Sammy

On the 4th we did our usual Doo Dah thing with Lao Lao and Uncle Flint, but this year we had an even bigger group as Flint's girlfriend Monica (or as you call her "my friend" or simply "Mon") came with us, as well as our neighbors (Mark, Jenny, Natalia, Roman...and Mark's parents too) met us down there. It was overcast with some sparse sprinkles. Perfect parade weather if you ask me. The parade was silly and irreverent, with tons of inappropriate humor about current events, just like we like it!

Uncle Flint and Monica

Mark and Jenny

this was actually the beginning of the parade

the Marching Fidels...a staple of any Doo Dah

When we got home, you took a nap and then I continued to rest while you got up and Daddy took you bowling. He is so happy to have not only a fishing, but a bowling buddy too. You told me you were going to use the 8 pound ball, get a million points and beat Daddy as you swaggered out the door.  So cute.

After that, we ended the night watching fireworks in Westerville. We made it just in time to plop down with the Szwabinsky's and enjoy the show. It was a great seat where we were close enough to actually feel the "booms!" reverberate in your chest...you spent most of the show with your hands over your ears, but there were no tears and we all enjoyed the beautiful night sky.

Friday was thankfully a short day at school and work, and after a long nap at home for you (and Daddy), we headed to our friends' (Pam and Brian's) house for a cookout. You played with the kids, taking turns hitting a ball with a bat (showing us your incredible batting prowess!), we lit Chinese floating lanterns and then (the grown ups) drove RC race cars with glow sticks strapped to them crazily down the street like a bunch of kids ourselves while the actual kids chased them. We got to meet some really nice new people and spend time with old friends too. I've actually been friends with Pam since about the 4th grade but lost touch and then was reunited with her at a surprise birthday party as adults (Daddy tracked her down years ago as a huge surprise for me). Even though we don't see each other a ton, it's nice to have someone in my life that I do share so much history and with whom I can pick back up again at any point, just like that. I sure hope you have friends like this when you get "old" like me.

the men of the party improvised roasting marshmallows...
they used a blowtorch!

mmm...s'mores with Jack!

a little baseball in the backyard...your
stance was really good!

showing me your muscles

lighting the Chinese floating lantern
(at least the guys agreed to NOT use
the blowtorch for this! ha)

Saturday was a big day for our family ~ the fourth anniversary of the day we met you in China! Here was how I shared it with Facebook world:

Four years ago today Shawn Wilkinson and I met a tiny, scared little girl in a big, loud room in Guangzhou, China. In this picture, she was finally calming down once we started singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to her and realizing perhaps that these strange and funny looking people might not be so bad :) What a long way we have all come, both literally and figuratively. Maliana has completed our little family so perfectly and I am so thankful for that red thread that brought us all together..."A Chinese proverb states that an invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, despite the time, the place, despite the circumstances. The thread can be tightened or tangled, but never be broken."

We celebrated by going to the zoo and then bowling, unfortunately it was too rainy to pack in go-karts too. (Boo!) Anyway, Lao Lao came and met us at the zoo and we had fun with two of our favorites, the stingrays and Dinosaur Island! We left just in time for the rain to start and headed straight to the bowling alley. You have been so hooked on hitting the lanes lately!

you and Grouchy the tortoise

helping Daddy feed the stingrays

they loved to splash you!

that is my "completely wigged out" face as I
tried to feed some of the stingrays

if the fish are good enough for the stingrays,
we thought we'd try some too!

this reminds me of being in China with you and
everyone using the umbrellas to shade
them from the hot sun...umbrellas
were everywhere there!

showing Lao Lao the baby dino hatchlings

Happy Family Day 2013!

it was almost an hour long wait for the boat ride...we
had to find ways to amuse ourselves!

here we go! Dinosaur Island boat ride!

T Rex grand finale!

aww, man!!

better luck next time!

silly Daddy!

you discovered a new way to cool off hot pizza...
the vent from the ball return!

Mommy looks a bit dangerous on the lanes...
look out below!!

"Mom! I got a stripe!" ..."You mean a strike?" ... "No! A stripe!"
(If you look at the scoring, I guess it does make more sense) 

We were so pooped by the time we got home. We had originally asked you to pick a special restaurant that we could go out to for dinner...anywhere you wanted...preferably someplace with real menus and fancy desserts...and you picked Taco Bell. Ha. We were so tired that we didn't even feel like getting dressed up enough to go to Taco Bell...so we ended up relaxing at home, ordering Chinese in for dinner, and just enjoying being a family. After all, that's what the entire day was about anyway!

Sunday was a totally (and much needed) lazy day...we were all burned out from all the activity of this holiday and celebratory week and so spent the day doing small errands and hanging out around the house. You and Daddy had breakfast with Memaw and Papaw while I drove some food over to Uncle Johnny's house, you helped Daddy wash his jeep, I worked on putting together some pictures for your upcoming family day DVD, and then we hung out and talked to Mark and Jenny outside while Roman and Natalia entertained you (aka teased and chase you mercilessly)...and you LOVED it. So nice to live right next door to people who feel like family. Our neighbors are the best!

As I gave you a bath on Sunday night, you were relaxing while you let the water hit your back and said, "Ahh, this is the life!" While I giggled at your choice of phrasing, I also couldn't agree with you more. It most certainly is "the life"...the very good life.

Love,
Mama