South America and Discipline

Maceo is so enamored of his South America doll that he's been taking it to bed with him. Of course, this means that we have leverage with him! When I put him to bed the other night, I told him, "Be quiet now and go to sleep. If Mama or I have to come up here, we're going to have to take South America away." I closed the door and went downstairs. I was in the kitchen doing something when I heard a slight shriek from Kate in the living room. This was followed by her scolding Maceo, who had silently crept down the stairs and startled her. She took South America and took Maceo up to his room. He sobbed and sobbed, and eventually I went up to calm him down. I asked him, "What were you doing? I told you if we had to come up here, we'd take South America away." Maceo sobbed, "But you didn't say any words about sneaking out!"