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!

Woman and Machine.......

The large storm drain replacement work that has been going on in downtown Lexington has been inconvenient for motorists and harmful for businesses in the area. However, it did give me a chance to snap this photo of Miranda during a recent trip to the Farmer's Market. She's showing her mastery over this machine and excitement about being the subject of yet another photograph.

A "Good Lift"......

Last night I discovered that Miranda has a secret talent that will hopefully NOT serve her well someday. We'd just completed a trip to the local Kroger and were on our way home when I discovered that she'd successfully "lifted" two $50 gift cards and was examining her "take" in the back seat. I'd seen she was carrrying something when we went out the door, but in my haste to get to the car and steward us safely through the parking lot I did not look very closely. I thought it was just another apartment guide or related article that she frequently grabs. She likes looking at these kinds of things. But no, this time she'd grabbed the real goods and managed to make it out the door. I thought of that scene in "Oceans Eleven" where George Clooney's character tells Matt Damon's character "that was a good lift," after he witnesses him stealing a wallet on the subway. Anyhow, I returned the gift cards and on the way to school Miranda said, "I'm sorry daddy for taking those cards at the store." Our sweet kleptomaniac wunchie.....you better keep an eye on her if she shows up at your door!