Giving Thanks

We had a great Thanksgiving in Northern Virginia spending time with Zane's side of the family. Here are some of the fun things we did.

We toured the Normal Rockwell exhibit at the Smithsonian's American Art Museum. Miranda took in the sights from Mommy's shoulders.


Zane and Mom before we went into the exhibit. You can see Miranda walking on the bench in the background.


Miranda fell asleep in the movie about Norman Rockwell.


Thanksgiving Day: Miranda's pajamas said, "Everyone Is Thankful For Me." It's true.


Miranda loves cats, and enjoyed playing with Zsa Zsa's, Aunt Keira's and Cousin Erica's cats. Here she is throwing a ball to Buggy, Erica's cat.


Miranda was on our shoulders a lot because we didn't bring a stroller. She didn't mind. Look how happy she is on top of Daddy's shoulders.


FSU beat Florida for the first time in six years. Why the turn around for FSU football? Their new cheerleader, of course, inspired them onto victory.


Our last day, we saw an ice sculpture exhibit of the Christmas classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. It was so neat. The main scenes from the book were all recreated in ice. It was 8 degrees in the exhibit, which is why we were wearing the blue parkas. We had a blast.



You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch...


At the end of the exhibit, there was a Christmas tree made of Peeps (the marshmallow candy shaped like little animals).

Photo Shoot Failure

Last week, the leaves were at their peak color and the weather was in the 70s. I took advantage of such perfect conditions to take some fall pictures of Miranda, hoping for a photo worthy of a Christmas card or picture frame. Instead, the photo shoot was a complete failure. I got two smiling pictures and the rest are her pouting or running away from me. Nevertheless, I am tempted to frame one of the pictures. This picture is one of my all time favorites of Miranda. It's not very flattering. Instead, it captures a part of her personality that Zane and I don't usually put on display for admiration. But it is still Miranda. It's just Miranda at a moment where she was tired and frustrated (I quit after this one). As we are learning to parent a toddler who is throwing tantrums and starting the "terrible twos," Zane and I are falling more and more in love with our little girl. Yes, we guide and correct when Miranda throws a fit. But when she's not looking, we laugh at how cute she is when she's frustrated. We mimic her pouty face and whining voice because she's charming and beautiful and lovable even when she's not. This picture is a sweet reminder that Miranda is not perfect. But Zane and I are called to love her as she is because we're not perfect either.

Christmas Present

Miranda is getting a bike for Christmas, but there is just one problem. We already gave it to her. We couldn't help ourselves. She loves bikes so much. Every time we go for a walk, she points out the bikes and then talks about them for hours. Every time she is close enough to touch a bike, she insists upon riding it, even though she does not know how to ride a bike and even though most of the bikes she has seen are way too big for her. Joy floods her face when she just sits on a bike's seat, dangling her little legs toward the pedals. Since we gave it to her, she has woken up asking, "outside bike please." Giving her a Christmas present six weeks early was probably not our smartest parenting move, but we don't care. It's been worth every afternoon this week, sitting watching Miranda scoot around on her bike. So this is our plan. While the weather has been nice, we are going to let her ride the bike. While we are with family for Thanksgiving, we are going to hide the bike and hope that she forgets about it. Then, three weeks later on Christmas morning, we will give her the bike again.

Earning Her Keep

Hats and Play Time

Today as I was doing dishes, Miranda walked into the kitchen with her swimming shorts on her head. She proudly announced to me "it's a hat." She's been wearing her new hat all day.



I took these a few days ago while Zane and Miranda were playing. They were so happy I had to share.

Elmo

Miranda was Elmo for Halloween this year. She loves Elmo (or as she would say, "Melmo"). And she loved dressing up as Elmo. She wore her costume all week. Isn't she cute?

Elmo with her friends Lydia the Cupcake and Angel Hannah

Mommy (Christmas Present), Daddy (Geico Gecko), and Elmo