The Miles Christmas

Drew felt better so we drove to Grandma Miles's house on Wednesday. Aunts and uncles and cousins came over that night for food and presents. The kids were really wound up after the long drive and sweet treats but they had an absolute blast having a tickle fest with Uncle Wally.
Cassidy

Grandma's new hat

Cousins: Cassidy, Dylan, Drew, our friend Jade, and Mirra

Dylan likes Grandma's hat too

Even the big boys like Drew's new boat.

Grandma and the kids

Grandma gets a kiss from JJ

Pretty princess

Cars!

Get Ready, Set, Go!

The week-long Christmas Marathon begins tomorrow...hopefully. Drew has been a little under the weather so we are hoping everything stays well so we can begin the festivities.

As you can probably tell by the more frequent posts, I have finished my class for the semester. I will try to post some Christmas pictures as we go, but the schedule may get tight. To tide you over, here is a video of Mirra I find to be priceless.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!


I admit this is a reenactment, but she delivered it, unpromted, the exact same way just moments before. "You're the man."

Christmas At The Zoo

Grandparents

The kids got to see all of their grandparents last week.

The Kids Open Thier First Gifts

Christmas Fun

The kids are very much into Christmas this year. They are so excited about all the decorations and presents, giving not just getting. They play beneath the tree each night, building a "barn" out of the wrapped packages. They also started leaving snacks under the tree. We don't keep a lot of junk in the house so they were leaving bowls of pretzels and craisins and cups of water. We explained they only had to do that on Christmas Eve and we would get some cookies then. Their favorite carols are Santa Claus is Coming to Town and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Thank you Aunt Anita for the new CD!

This was taken by Drew. He did such a good job. Me, not looking great with no make-up and having been to the gym.

They both helped trim the tree this year. Mirra would hang 4 and 5 ornaments from a branch. I realize I need to get more ornaments with her picture in them. We have a lot of Drew up there but none of her.


Mirra tried to convcince me that she could sleep under the tree. I told her it would be hard and cold. She said "I can be cold." Mom won that round anyway.


I love, love, love the pics of them under the tree.

DRAMA

Just as I thought Mirra's terrible twos were starting to mellow out, she throws us another curve. Her formerly mild temper tantrums, where she would silently throw herself on the ground in protest, have taken on a new life. She screams at the top of her lungs over any minute issue. They can also occur after the kids have been cooperativley playing for several minutes. The best way to describe it is a roller-coaster....a rapid rhythm of ups and downs. The good news is that she is more capable of reason then I thought she would be at this age. If I can remain patient I can talk her down without much effort.

She has also figured out that she can manipulate her brother. "Drew, can you get those snacks?" (from the high shelf that she can't reach). Fortunately Drew doesn't follow her every directive. Unfortunately that brings us back to subject A: screaming fits.

The kids have also brought back another parental favorite: car drama. "Don't touch me Drew!" "Change the song!" "AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"

This I can say: it is never dull around here.

Parade #2

After making cookies we decorated the race car and wagon so the kids could be in the Parade of Lights in my hometown. It was pretty chilly. Drew had a great time, but Mirra was finished as soon as we started walking the route. Surprisingly, we won first place in the 'family' category for our decorations.

Cookies

The kids and I headed to my parents' for traditional cookie making. We had a wonderful, memorable day making cookies and playing with Grammy, Papa and our good friend Theresa. Thanks guys!!!

JJ's New Skirt

Yes, that's the Christmas tree skirt. Hee hee.

Santa Tales

The kids are so much fun this year. They are really into the decorating and the lights and picking out and even wrapping presents. Mirra likes singing Jingle Bell Rock.

Drew participated in a parade last week with his race car lit up with Christmas lights. After he finished the parade, he came back to watch the rest of it, including the arrival of Santa. Drew became so excited he jumped out into the road as far as he dared and stared waving his arm at Santa. "Santa, I want Toy Story! I want Buzz Lightyear, Santa!"

A couple of days later we unexpectedly had an opportunity for the kids to sit with Santa. Mirra was not afraid of him (she is not shy at all), but she kept looking at him like she was trying to figure him out. She said nothing. Drew hopped up there and told Santa he wanted Buzz Lightyear and Woody for Christmas. When Santa asked what else, Drew told him a dinosaur (Rex from the movie) and a dog. The dog thing was news to me. We often talk about getting a puppy, but we just don't have the time or patience for it right now. It turns out Drew was only talking about the Slinky dog from the Toy Story movie.

I am almost done with my Christmas shopping and the cards are ordered. Next up....cookie making at my mom's and getting our tree. We are also going to enter the kids in another parade of lights. This time in my hometown.