Spawn of The James

The last time my children and I were at the library—I think it was Thursday—I was trying to round them up so we could leave and get back to the house for lunch. Affecting the tone of Super Nanny, I said something like, "Children, children of mine. Come, come. Attention, spawn of The James. We must depart." Something in this string of appellatives apparently caught Tabitha's attention.

As I was leaving for work today, I called upstairs to Caleb and Tabitha so I could say goodbye to them. They were both in their rooms; Ethan was in the office, and I had already said goodbye to him. I shouted up the stairwell: "Tabitha! Caleb!" They both emerged from their rooms and stood at the top of the steps.

"I'm leaving now," I said.

"OK, see ya," replied Caleb, in his customary way, as he went back into his room.

Tabitha came running down the stairs to receive her hug (she doesn't hug me back, but she accepts my hugs). I kissed her on her head and said, "Love you, sweetie." I heard her mutter something as I was releasing her from the hug. "Pardon me?" I asked. A tiny bit louder, and more clearly she said, "Spawn of The James." Then she giggled and marched back up to her room.