Sequiturs

Despite my mention of Edith's recent surrealistic conversations, we're also surprised by the more comprehensible connections she's making these days. Her ear has gotten sharp, such that she can pull words out of an adult conversation conducted without any of the exaggerated cadences or grammatical simplifications that are used in speech directed toward a toddler. Some of the types of connections she has made recently:

(1) Tom and I were talking about the fact that our friend Campbell recently landed an interview for an academic position in Australia. Edith chimed in to ask what we were talking about, and I told her that we were talking about the possibility that Harrison would move to Australia.

"Harrison move to Australia?" she asked. "Like Alexander?"

In case you're rusty on your picture books: In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, a great book that Edith first encountered at Becca's house in Boston earlier this month, the title character threatens to move to Australia periodically throughout his awful day.

Then Edith looked worried. "Harry feeling grumpy?" she asked.

(2) Tom and I were discussing Uncle Peter's adventurous trek across China to reach the park in Siberia where he is working this summer. Edith piped up, "Mommy talking about China? Like in Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late?"

In that book, the pigeon is coming up with every excuse under the sun for not going to bed. One line in his volley of protests: "It's the middle of the day in China!"

(3) At yesterday's softball game I was trying to distract Edith from begging for mommy milk by urging her to watch Daddy at bat. Then his hit was caught deep in right field.

"Oh, man!" I said.

"Oh, man?" she asked.

"Oh, man. Daddy's hit was caught. Can you say 'oh, man'?"

"Oh, man!" Edith repeated. "That team can never fail. When the sons of Eli break through the line."