And so, five years leter, Malaren has groan -- er, grown -- into a big girl. Her biological mother (hee-hee) and I had a couple of different birthday parties for her (including a chaotic bash as Chuck-E-Cheeze, oh my god...). The best photos came from the last Mal-suare, hosted at my friend's house, Ama. Let us begin.
   
       

"Madonna and Child: A Series"
By Dylan O'Leary 2007. Pixels on monitor.

And lastly, making fun of Pappa.



Koral came too! Behind him is Ama's mother, Judy.



Koral just came from teaching somba and was fain to enter the water. But, with lots of cuties around, he
was convinced to drop in. "I'm hot and sweating from dancing -- the water hurts!"



And, of course, the Golden Retriever had a blast.

 

Koral, Jen, and Ama.

 

On to the devouring of the gifts. Big Barbie coloring/painting book.

Swedish dress-up dolls from Mormor and Morfar (Anne & Peter). Thank you Sweden!

T-Shirt and beautiful tie-dye skirt from Aunt Annie from Africa.

There were many other gifts (but the lighting got weird as the sun went down) but thank you all so much.