Sam and I had our first joint conference presentation this past weekend, which was fun. The topic was using archaeological methods to teach the reception history of
Uncle Tom's Cabin via a gallery of cover art from different eras published by the University of Virginia's E-text Center. It combined archaeology, new media, and
Uncle Tom's Cabin, so we each had things to say, and the presentation was well received--all good.
Even better, the conference was held about an hour from my parents' house in New Jersey, so we stayed with them and they watched the girls while we were attending. They took the girls to Smithville, a little historic village of shops and restaurants, with people doing crafts, a merry-go-round, a little train, a duck pond, etc. We left them for about 90 minutes and by the time we returned, AC had acquired a pair of wings and a magic wand, and was asking all passersby, male and female: "Would you like me to make you a princess?" Then, tap with the wand. (My dad told me that my mom had asked AC, "Would you like a pair of wings, or a wand?" You can see how that negotiation went.)
The next day, we also got to put Gillian's toes in the Atlantic Ocean, a little ceremony that I have loved doing with both girls. Naturally, neither of them has been crazy about it. AC was about 6 months old, and the water was cold. This time, the water was warmer, but Gillian still didn't like the tide rushing in around her tiny feet. She was fascinated by it and loved seeing the waves come in from the safe distance afforded by a Boardwalk vantage point, but she was less enthused about going down and dipping her little toes in. (I, however, was filled with glee.) We went up on the Boardwalk for lunch afterward, and then Sam and I took Gillian home for a nap while my parents took Allison Clare around the Boardwalk some more. She scored a butterfly net, which she has been wanting for months.
The net features in the story I started this post to tell: This morning, back at home, Allison Clare "caught" Gillian in the net by throwing it over her head. Sam and I realized what had happened when we heard Gillian's sad little cry, a clearly identifiable wail that begins low and builds as she continues to endure whatever torment her beloved big sister has devised. But even I was surprised to hear Sam bellow, "TAKE THAT OFF HER! YOU TAKE THAT OFF HER RIGHT NOW!" (I have only heard him raise his voice maybe twice in our marriage, but he does not like AC to be cruel to Gillian, even inadvertently.)
Allison Clare looked at him, and then turned to regard her catch with great delight, clearly unwilling to remove the net. Sam tore down the three stairs into the sunken room (during which time AC casually lifted the net), tossed AC over his shoulder fireman-style, and ripped back up the stairs, through the kitchen, down the hall, and up to the second floor with her, saying, "When I tell you to do something, you DO IT. YOU DO NOT SIT AND THINK ABOUT IT FIRST." By then, AC's face had crumpled and she was hanging over his shoulder, one arm outstretched to me, screaming, "Mooooommmmmy!" Sam was moving in the opposite direction so fast she looked like she was in a bad sci-fi movie, being sucked into a vortex. I'm sure it sounds pretty heartless, but I couldn't help myself--as soon as they were up the stairs and around the corner, Gillian (who was already over it) and I had a good laugh in the kitchen.
The net is in the penalty box until AC demonstrates to Sam that she is capable of immediate obedience. I have my doubts about whether this standard could even be met in absolute terms, but Sam is a softie. My prediction is that she will have it back at the end of today.
Related note: AC informed me on the ride home from Grammy and Pop's that she prefers to have time-outs at our house because there is no timer at Grammy and Pop's. That child has preferences about everything.
