Christmas Is Coming...

Maliana ~

Monday was, in one word...ROUGH. You were still catching up on lost sleep from the weekend and so threw quite the tantrum and took quite the nap after school. Luckily by Tuesday, you were feeling much more like yourself (thank goodness!). Via Facebook, here is what I had to say about Monday:

~ while I sometimes worry about Mali being on the low end of the growth chart for height and weight for her age, I was reminded of one advantage to this tonight...in the event of a complete and total meltdown at Kroger over dark chocolate/peppermint covered pretzels, I realized I am still able to carry not only her out to the car (while kicking, thrashing about, and screaming "I want it!" at the top of her lungs) but also a gallon of milk and my purse...ahh, good times.
#gottabethickskinnedtobemommy #saveyourjudgmentfellowshoppers #poorkiddowasexhausted

I also got to pick up your Christmas portraits this week and I love how they turned out. The woman who took your portraits actually kind of ticked me off by telling you "don't smile so hard" and asking "can you smile without showing your teeth?" which both took me by surprise and also irked me. I mean, let a kid smile however they dang well want to smile! Geesh. However, when I saw the finished product of your portraits I noticed that you have an air of maturity about you...as Lao Lao said, "She is starting to get that pre-teen look already!" And she's right. Oh my...I noticed how I can really see the young woman you are beginning to blossom into and wow! I also couldn't help but wonder (once again) what your China mommy and daddy look like. I thought to myself..."They sure did make one beautiful little girl, both inside and out." In so many different ways, I am forever grateful to them. 

Santa Claus Jr. made his annual debut this week as well...Daddy read you the traditional book, Elf on the Shelf, and voila ~ there he was the next morning!

creepy little bugger

Mid-week, I continued to plug away at getting some of our Christmas gifts made...even with you curling up in my lap and taking over an hour nap right there while I did so. It was difficult to move around and get things done but I know there will come a day when you are too big for this "cuddly inconvenience" and so I sucked it up and kept on going. It was well worth the discomfort to know you were sleeping peacefully and getting some much-needed rest for your tired little body.

Also, over last weekend, Lao Lao had snuck in and set up a surprise for you ~ your very own Christmas village. I forgot to mention it before but wanted to do so now ~ you spent some time arranging and rearranging it. You are definitely smitten with it...thank you Lao Lao!

Thursday night I was about up to my neck in holiday stress...while I love this time of year, there is just so much I want to do and only so much time to do it in. Therefore, I get stressed. Anyway, Daddy's work had their annual Christmas party that night and he was kind enough to take you with him so you could have a date together and I could get some stuff knocked out at home. Win/win. You had a great time and ate a lot of really good food. While you refused to let me take any pictures of you and Daddy before you left, you did let me take a picture of you eating the one and only Christmas cookie that you decorated last Saturday with your cousins. Yum!

And here are some of the things I worked on while you were on your special Christmas party date with Daddy...

hand-print tree topper ~ oh, how I will miss
when your hands aren't this tiny!

hand-print snowmen ornament

When you got home, for some reason you were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (and cracking me up). Cracking you up? You might ask. Yes, cracking me up. Ok...So, I have to preface this with another little story and flashback to my own childhood. You see, not all but many families have weird little words for the proper names of things, and sometimes these things happen to be private parts. My family growing up, for whatever reason, called breasts, "buttons" and the female private part, "toodlies". No idea why, it's just what we did. So, flash forward to this Thursday night when you came home and were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Everything was going along fine until I heard you say this part..."And toodlie a public, for which it stands"...I mean, how could I not crack up? Right? (I love when kids make up their own versions of things...especially when they turn out to be gems like this one!)

my little Santa Mali ~
you turn your nose up at all of the traditional
kids' Christmas movies but got totally
sucked into Fred Claus with Vince
Vaughn...go figure!

Saturday was the day of fun for you and Daddy. He offered to take you everywhere with him so that I could continue to get more holiday stuff done. (Whew ~ will this holiday prep ever end?!?) He took you to Chinese class in the morning, one of your friends' (Jocelyn's) birthday party (bringing his magic marble for entertainment, of course), and then took you to dinner with Jay and his new girlfriend that night. I felt kind of guilty about forgoing some of these activities, however I got a lot of stuff done, felt less stressed later, and as you and Daddy snuggled some more that night, you told him, "Daddy, I like spending time with you, just you and me together." And that right there...erased all of my guilt for bowing out of the day's activities. You definitely need to spend more one on one time with your Daddy and that comment right there is proof of how important and appreciated it is. I love it.

As I tucked you into bed later, you asked if we could sleep in and cuddle the next morning. It is by far one of your favorite things to do on the weekends. It's actually become one of your most favorite things to get excited about come Friday. You love to reach over, snuggle in close, lay with your head pressed on top of my chest and as we slowly wake up, we chat, laugh, joke around, or as we did this Sunday, we practiced your math problems and pretended to be a family of bears hibernating. There's just something about a lazy morning in bed with your kid(s) that is so intimate, connecting and sweet. I have to admit, it's one of my favorite things about the weekend too. Love you, monkey.

Sunday morning you and Daddy headed out once again to continue your fun and met Memaw and Papaw for breakfast while I went to get my hair cut. Then you both went to do a little grocery shopping where I received these texts from Daddy...

Hmmm...decisions...decisions...

That night I made lasagna and we had Allie, Blake and Markie all stop over for dinner and a visit. It was SO good to see all of them and you immediately became both excited and very chatty as soon as they arrived. After dinner, you even offered to make us all dessert. Blake was especially a big fan of your concoction ~ sprinkle bananas!

the chef and her happy customer!

After they left we bundled up and took a walk in the snow and ice to see how many of our neighbors have put up their Christmas lights. Unfortunately, not too many of them are in the spirit (yet) but that didn't stop you from being our fearless leader, marching ahead with your headlamp, warning us of slick icy patches, pointing out "nature" (as you kept repeating) and looking for (dinosaur?!) footprints. You kept telling us that "we are a family!" and "we can do this!" and also yelling "Stack!" (aka stat) when you wanted us to hurry. You were a hilarious little drill sergeant! We just love you so much.

After some peppermint cocoa and reading Dinosaur Christmas, you fell fast asleep. A good end to a great week.

Love,
Mama

Sleepover and Secret Santa

Maliana ~

Rough start to my week...but it wasn't all bad. See for yourself what I shared on Facebook:

~ feeling pretty crappy tonight with this bug going around but hands down, favorite part of the day was when Mali came in to hang out with me, rub my back, and retold the story of when our family was matched and her Daddy and I came to get her in China...then she continued to give me glimpses into her world at school, sharing moments of her life that I'm not able to see for myself. I adore these moments when she shares so openly and am so proud of this munchkin...such a fun age.

I just sat there on the bed and listened to you talk, watched all of your mannerisms that are growing more mature by the day, and tried to soak in everything you are in this moment of your life. I sure hope you always feel that you can talk to me about what happens in your life, the choices you make, how you feel about things. It's so important for all of us to have safe people that we can choose to share our most intimate moments with...I hope I can be the kind of mom that can continue to be in your inner circle with you as you get older. I know that things can happen and our relationship will shift as you grow into your pre-teen, teen, and adult years...however, I just want you to know that I will always have the time to listen, be interested in and care about what you have to say, what you think, and how you feel, etc...no matter what. It's one of my favorite parts about being a parent. Such a privilege. 

Snow was heading our way later in the week so on Wednesday I urged Daddy to please, please, pretty please put up the outdoor Christmas lights. So, he did that outside while I introduced you to the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie inside. When he was all done, he had us close our eyes and walk outside in the dark with him, then he turned on some Christmas music on his I-pod and had us open our eyes as he unveiled his handiwork. I think our gasps and excitement was a decent pay off for him...3 weeks until Christmas day and we are so decked out and ready to get our holiday on! Santa Claus is coming to town, you say? Ok...bring it!

You and I prepared some Christmas cookies on Thursday that you girls could decorate when you have your first ever sleepover on Saturday night! Sammy, Alex, Joey, and Erin were all set to come over, 5 girls and 2 grown ups...which, knowing what I know now...it was just as interesting (and then some) as I'd imagined! Anyway, we had fun and with all of the Nerdy Nummies on YouTube that you watch...you sure do know your stuff when it comes to baking!

Friday was your first snow day from school but luckily daycare was open. I let you wear jammies all day (which you thought was awesome) and Santa even came to visit and read you all a story. Have I told you how much I love all of the activities that go on at your new daycare? They are pretty awesome.

evidently, you were the second to last person to
climb on Santa's lap ~ but you did it!

I love to see you sounding words out on your own,
this is "Miss Jessica" (your teacher)

Then we started opening up your Christmas books that I got from the library. You get to pick one before bedtime each night of the season. Such a cheap and fun thing to do! 

Saturday was a crazy busy day for our family. We began the morning at a holiday party for our COFCC group. Our social group (the Fu group) was hosting and so myself and another mama dressed up as elves for our second year in a row to help Santa when he visited. I probably have way more fun than you might expect by doing something so silly, but it just brings me joy to make people smile even at the expense of looking goofy. 

you wouldn't just jump up with Santa without Mama sitting
there with you at first...

Suzanne (Delaney's mom) was the other elf

Lily directing you, Colter, Chloe, and Lainey in
a chorus of Christmas songs

girl talk

When we got home, our house was "invaded" by 4 little girls for some more holiday shenanigans and a sleepover. Your cousins, Alex, Joey, Sammy, and also Erin came over and this was your first big girl slumber party. Needless to say, you had a great time and all of you girls kept me on my toes. In a short amount of time, we did 2 crafts, took you all to a movie at Easton (in our jammies, I might add, simply because it's fun and we could), checked out all of the gorgeous lights and the huge tree, train set, and nativity while there, and finally home for a bath for you and Sammy (since it's oddly a new favorite activity for the two of you), decorated Christmas cookies, and finally more craziness before you all passed out in the family room downstairs. By the time you were all zonked, I was exhausted...and thankful for each and every one of you. A couple memorable conversations and/or comments from the evening included:

(you to Sam) ~ "It's ok, Sam. If you wake up and are scared in the dark tonight, just wake me up."

(after proudly showing your new diary to Sam - she pulled out her Hello Kitty notebook and told you...) ~ "It's not like yours, but look at MY diarrhea."

(as I was cleaning up all of the glitter, sprinkle, and cookie mess in the kitchen, you said to me) ~ "Are you sure that you and Daddy can take care of all of these kids? It's a lot of kids tonight."

I am just so happy that your sleepover went so well and you seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. It may have been a lot of work, but I'd do it all over again to hear all of you chatting, squealing, and laughing. Music to this mama's ears.

painting in the playroom

making glittery jingle-bell snowflake ornaments

on the way to the movie...in our comfy jammies

taking in the trains

nativity scene

in front of the BIG tree

getting ready for the movie to start

decorating cookies after the movie

starting to drift off to sleep

and you're out ~ Abby is keeping watch over you all

Sunday morning Daddy made cinnamon rolls for all of you girls before we headed out to St. Phillip's for their Secret Santa with Memaw and Papaw. For some reason, you were thrilled that Santa Claus shook your hand, getting that really proud grin as you looked up at me excitedly. So cute.

the next morning, playing on the I-pad together

putting makeup on Abby to get ready for church ~ such a good dog

all packed up, ready to go!

wrapping some of your Secret Santa gifts with Louetta helping

Memaw and Papaw took the girls while you and Daddy dropped Erin off on the way home. I went to run some errands for the week. The rest of our Sunday was spent staying warm and relaxing inside, catching up on some long naps and more rest that was neglected the night before.

I am so happy that your first ever slumber party went off without a hitch...feeling so fortunate to be able to share our lives with such wonderful kids.

Love,
Mama

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