Mali update and latest video

I haven't posted about Mali and her recent accomplishments lately, and since she really is the most interesting member of our family, I thought it was time for an update.
I've had to really think about this post though, because the 3's have been pretty difficult and I didn't want to be negative the entire update. But, Mali is a challenge, at the same time she is so amazing and wonderful and we love her so much. Today her ballet teacher had another talk with me about how it seemed that Mali was always "testing" her and trying to see what she could get away with, and not necessarily doing ballet. I told her "that sounds like Mali", and that pretty much sums up life with Mali. She constantly tests us and we really have to stay on her. So many times I want to just pretend or ignore what she did, because it takes a lot of time and energy to stay on her, but I know that if we do stay on her then in the end her behavior is better. Eric and I are very much on united front right now with working on her obeying and respecting authority, this has been the most challenging for Mali right now. Mali has also expressed her artistic side...on her carpet, her door, the laundry room door, her body (although I'm told those are tattoos) and pretty much anything else she can get her hands on while my back is turned, and she has used finger nail polish to do this. I'm not sure how she gets it but we have had several episodes of her taking finger nail polish to her room with her (note: Grandparents no more finger nail polish please). Last week after BSF, she showed me the "coconut tree" (from the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom) she had painted on her door and said it was for her BSF teacher. She was so proud of it, but she still got in trouble. When Mali gets in trouble and is sent to her room, she will destroy it, or go potty on the floor. This makes Eric furious! And for about a week now, she has had every toy of value taken away from her, but she doesn't seem to care and will say "Momma, you can take my dress up clothes away." When Eric and I go to bed at night, we can laugh about all of this, but it can get overwhelming in the midst of it!
On a positive side, Mali is back into reading. We go to the library about once a week for library time and check out books. Mali loves checking out different books and having us read to her the rest of the week. I have really enjoyed this and have always thought, if I could just read all day to her I would be the best mom. I have uploaded a video of Mali actually reading (or rather reciting) her latest book. The one problem is that she thinks the books are hers and can't understand that the library has let us borrow them. Mali continues to go to ballet and BSF (bible study fellowship). Her favorite thing right now is listening and singing kids songs, and her favorite song is "The Wise Man Built His house upon the rock" and will belt it out in Wal-Mart. I've tried talking with her about Jesus being the rock, but I'm not sure she completely gets it right now. Mali also loves being a princess and dressing up. She came across a summer nightgown and wears it constantly now (since her dress up clothes were taken away, she became creative). When its nap time, she takes off her clothes and puts on her nightgown. It has been pretty cold, so this isn't practical, but she is forever a princess in her mind, and can not be without her uniform. Mali still loves to sing and dance. She usually will go stand right in front of the t.v. and dance around and sing in front of it so that all the attention is on her. Mali really does have a sweet heart and can be so loving. She loves to cuddle. Mali also loves her dogs. Asa is finally less skiddish and play with Mali more. Mali likes to taunt them with food and tackle them.:)
Some days I just look at her feet or hands and am amazed at how grown up she already is. She is a big girl! She likes to be a helper, and especially likes to help in the kitchen. I've tried to be very patient with her in the kitchen and have found myself baking with her much more than I have baked in my entire life. We have had fun though. Mali has also enjoyed being a helper with her Daddy at school or the basketball games. She was able to be the hand stamper at his last basketball tournament and did a great job.
I'm sure as soon as this posts, I'll think of more, but life is wonderful with Mali, although challenging at times. We love our little girl so much and are blessed by her presence, although exhausted most of the time.