The trip has been a wee bit difficult for the smallest of the Screaming Masses. Today, she went outside and looked around for something to destroy look at, and she discovered half of a pair of deer antlers. She grabbed them up and brought them in to me, and begged to keep them. I turned down her request, which didn't go over well.
At all.
Allegra took her outside to calm her down and Riley threw the antlers off the porch. She became immediately upset, because she just knew that someone would find those antlers and take them. My dad overruled me, Allegra told Riley she was now ALLOWED to keep them, and she went flying off the porch and rescued them. The next thing I knew, we were the proud owners of a half pair of antlers. (I know. You want to be me.) I told her she'd have to take them outside and leave them on the porch, and she was less than enthused. But there she went, and they sat for a minute or two, contemplating the beauty that was the half antler.
Here is the conversation that followed:
Allegra: Wow, Riley, I'm getting eaten alive by the mosquitos.
Riley: Yeah, me too.
Allegra: I'm gonna head inside, you coming?
Riley: No, someone has to stay outside and guard my antlers.
Allegra: Well, Riley, no one is going to take those antlers.
Riley: I don't wanna leave them out here!
Allegra: Ok, well then, let's hide them.
Riley: Ok, good idea.
Allegra walked over to the other side of the porch where it's cooler and shady.
Allegra: How about over here?
Riley: Allegra, people aren't stupid! Obviously, they are gonna see them and take them! They are so awesome!
We have antlers in the boys' room that Michael found behind the beach house. There have been no problems and we have had them for years. How awesome!
Posted by: Katherine | July 12, 2011 at 09:05 AM
She's right. They are awesome.
Just be glad she didn't find half a moose antler.
Posted by: wookie | July 12, 2011 at 09:44 AM
I know this was difficult to deal with, but "contemplating the beauty of the half antler" make me snort/laugh out loud at work!
Posted by: Pat | July 12, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I'm glad your dad overruled you.
Posted by: Maggie | July 12, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Ooh, it's always tough when a grandparent overrules a parent. But, I am glad that Riley is happier with her half an antler!
Posted by: Brandy | July 12, 2011 at 02:01 PM
This will be one of those memories from the trip that Riley (and you too, I'm sure!) remember forever. And how sweet Allegra was with her, too.
Posted by: UKCraftySal | July 12, 2011 at 05:00 PM
we have antlers too. Dominic found them when he was 10 (he's 16 now) and was going to make them into an "awesome" chandelier for my kitchen! They're still (thank God) hanging in the garage and they still freak me out when I pull in at night!
Posted by: Beth | July 12, 2011 at 08:22 PM
I so thought this was going to end with Riley later coming outside to find someone HAD taken her antlers, and chaos ensuing. And I guess I am stupid, because I wouldn't have taken them...it...whatever.
Hilarious post, but I hope that they are going in HER suitcase!
Posted by: Megan | July 12, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Yaaa so not into the antlers. Props to Allegra though. Wonderful big sister!
Posted by: addy | July 13, 2011 at 07:42 AM
i see some antlers heading home to north carolina. LOL good decoration for her room when she gets home.
Posted by: Sandra | July 13, 2011 at 08:57 AM
you are a nicer mom than me. It would have been NONONONONO to all involved. And I wouldn't have felt guilty :)
Posted by: Lisa | July 13, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Did she find them where they dropped? Or did she find someone elses antler find? We often walk the woods in early winter looking for where they rubbed the antlers off. Seems such a waste. They grow all summer and then after mating (or not) they go find a tree and rub them off their head only to repeat the same process next summer.
Posted by: Amy | July 14, 2011 at 08:39 AM
What squicks people out about antlers? They aren't buggy or slimy or anything... what's to be grossed out about?
Posted by: wookie | July 14, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Well better than a whole deer head that we had. When we moved from Seattle to Olympia for some reason it came with us. Fortunately it is now gone.
I wouldn't have minded having just the antlers since the deer wouldn't have died in the process of losing them. (Unlike the whole head we had that came from one of my husband's brothers I think...they hunt)
Posted by: KarenP | July 15, 2011 at 12:10 PM
And to think you spent all that money on toys when all you needed to do is find some antlers! LOL Too cute!
Posted by: Carly | July 15, 2011 at 12:53 PM
I love her expression of "MINE!" :P
Posted by: kyooty | July 15, 2011 at 08:34 PM