Who can reason with the wunchie? Part II (or buried in the concreteness of her reasoning)

So, Monday evening I'm driving home from the YMCA with Miranda and I decided that we would have a little fun. Because of the recent road construction on West Main we'd been using Manchester Street to get to our house for the last couple of weeks. In the process of utilizing the Manchester corridor to get downtown we'd become accustomed to passing some cook murals adorning one of the concrete walls next to the newly relocated Buster's. One of the murals is of a large skeleton that looks like it is emerging out of the wall. Miranda loves this skeleton and had commented on it several times. But we'd never gone to look at it up close.

"Miranda," I said, as we turned onto Manchester, "I think that I'm going to take you and feed you to the Skeleton tonight." "Why are you going to do that daddy," she rejoins. "Because I think it will be fun," I say. So, we pull into the parking lot and drive up to the mural at which point I roll down the window and tell the skeleton that we've brought him dinner. At first skeptical, I finally get Miranda to bite on my joke and she gets a little upset. I tell her that daddy is only making a joke for Halloween.

As we're driving out of the lot Miranda asks me why I took her to the skeleton. I repeat that I was only making a joke for Halloween. She says, "Daddy, it is not Halloween." I reply by saying that it is the season of Halloween. Indignant, Miranda asks me "Daddy, do you see any kids out here trick-or-treating?" I reply that I do not see any kids trick-or-treating. "Then daddy," Miranda replies with a confident sneer, "It isn't Halloween then is it?"

Random bits of preciousness

Helping Daddy spackle the basement stairwell.

Pink spackle is cool because it dries white, so you can tell when it's ready to sand. Plus... it's pink.

Miranda is beginning to enjoy Indian food again, provided it's not too spicy. Here we are at a local place, sampling the tandoori chicken, chicken tikki masala, cauliflower, basmati rice, pakoras, saag (spinach), naan (bread), and dal (lentils). To cool the palate, a refreshing mango lassi (yougurt smoothie). We brought her little book "Chaat and Sweets", and she told the waitress "Namaste!"

For some reason, she felt obliged to tie up Horsey.

I don't know why.

Holding hands and swinging with her classmate, Taylor. This is a precious picture.

As we left school in the rain, Miranda improvised -- a backpack umbrella.

Leaving the neighborhood flower stand with bargain, end-of-season mums in the basket of her birthday bike. This one found a home at the local bakery -- she loves those guys.

Overheard on the steps.....

So, I'm coming down the stairs at home yesterday and I hear Miranda (who is in the back of the house with our wonderful babysitter Marie) indignantly retort, as she stomps across the floor, "No, no, he is not going to die until the next chapter....." Hilarious! I have no idea what it was about, but no matter.....think I'm going to change my plans for Christmas and get her that Director's Chair........

Big Sister in Training

Holding a friend's newborn son. I'm so excited to get her into a Big Siblings' class at our hospital next month.

Sacrifice yourself for the cause, girl

Miranda is getting better & better at helping me in the kitchen, and just begged the other day to help me cut cabbage. So, against my better judgment, I handed her a real knife & let her rip. Look how intently she's making her little cuts.

Unfortunately, one of those little cuts ended up on her finger. But did you ever see someone so proud of an injury?? Look how she displays her battle scars. Yes, that's a BIG smile behind the wounded finger.

I just adore this kid!!!

Who can reason with the wunchie?

The other day Miranda and I were riding together in the truck. I'm not sure what prompted it, but she asked me "Daddy, why is my door locked?" I responed, "Honey, the door is locked because it always has to be locked when we're driving to keep us safe." She was quiet for a minute. Then she says, "Daddy, I don't think that you're telling the truth." I ask her, "Sweety, why are you saying that I'm not telling the truth?" She says, "Because of that," and points across the cab of the truck to my door which is unlocked. Busted.......I'm sure it won't be the last time....

Denver Adventures, part 3 -- the seasoned traveller

I meant to post these first, but just forgot. This was the first trip where Miranda carried on her own bag. She was amazing - -she wore her backpack and pulled her own suitcase for much of the trip, as well as carrying Ulee (the unicorn) and Horsey. Plus, she was stylin' in that awesome little outfit.She's as cute as she can be.

Denver Adventures, part 2 -- The First Sleepover

We've been wondering when Miranda would have her first sleepover. Littel did I know that I wouldn't even have to be the one to lose sleep over it! Sweet, brave Aunt Ellery hosted the inaugural slumber party with cousins Lauren and Ava while I was in England, and apparently everything went well. Ellery did report that she heard Miranda around 10:30, who said, "I'm just not tired, Auntie Elle." To which Ellery responded, "Well, you're going to sleep anyway." So there.

Pre-slumber activities. I'm not sure what she & Lauren are doing here -- Ali asked, "Did they just stick their landings?"

Yeah, it looks like they're going to get LOTS of sleep tonight...!

Aha, a co-conspirator -- Aunt Ellery!!

What an adorable face!!

Denver Adventures, part 1 -- Ladies' Day Out

Here is the first post of several about Miranda's trip to Denver last month. She spent over a week with my family during my trip to Durham, and by all accounts she had a great time. One of the highlights was a "ladies day" with Aunt Ellery. Nothing like an afternoon out for lunch and pedicures. Tres fabulous.

All dressed up and ready to go.

Doesn't she look grown up?

Her first time in the pedi chair. I just adore pedicures, and the wunchie seems to be following in my footsteps (no pun intended).

Hey -- I've never had a little flower on my toes before!

What a precious little foot!

And for dessert, a deliciously big cookie!