Carter has worked recently on Stuntology
This afternoon she nudged Kevin out of the way so she could show him a trick- she then ran as fast as she could through all the junk in our living room, around the pantry and out the back door, across the backyard and then jumped on our swingset—all while screaming unintelligible yet exciting sounds.
Carter, budding stuntman
Our neighbor was watching. She was less than impressed, and Carter was forced to up the ante. Searching for that stunt that would truly catch the attention of the neighborhood, Carter spent the rest of the afternoon hurling herself at the swing, face first.
After several attempts, she got the result he wanted—she missed the swing with her body, grabbing it instead with her neck, flipping herself backward onto the ground like a hapless victim of the Foot Fist Way. It was one of those accidents that gives every parent nightmares about head and neck injuries. From across the yard she looked like a tangled up Woody doll, arms and legs askew over crushed torso and head. If I had just a smidge more energy I would have raced across the yard to rescue her.
Carter: (standing a bit unsteadily, grinning) I’m OK!
Carter holds hands out to calm the crowds.
Me: Really? That looked painful.
Carter: No! I’m great. It was fun.
Me: Carter, it looked like it really hurt. It was loud and your neck got caught.
Carter: No! That was possibly the best moment of my entire life!
Could be worse.