Sisters and Brothers

I'm pretty sure Greg and I were the same way.... and it does my heart good to remember that.

It's so interesting to watch Amara and Dominic interact with each other. Sometimes they fight like cats and dogs (er... sisters and brothers) -- they'll sit in the back seat spitting at each other, hitting, kicking -- whatever they can do to push each other's buttons.

The next minute they're each other's biggest protectors and defenders. It's these moments that really pull at my heart strings.

On Saturday, the kids were using a plastic bucket for their stuffed animal's bed. They were sitting on either side of the bucket rocking it back and forth to put their animals to sleep. They'd cover it with a blanket, peek inside to make sure everything was OK. This went on for quite a while.

Then the bucket became a horse (or something) -- and they were both laying across it trying to stay balanced. They were giggling their heads off.

Then Dominic decided to play monkey pile on Amara.... and then it all broke loose. Kicking, screaming, crying. Not so much fun anymore. The toy had to be taken away. It's amazing how quickly the tides can turn. And how monkey piles are fun if you're on top, but not so much when you're on bottom.

***

Last night, was another example of how much they care for each other. They'd been arguing about what to eat for dinner, who got what, who could eat faster, etc. Nothing big. We got it sorted out. Dominic was done eating and had left the table to throw sticks from the deck into the back yard (we were all eating on the deck).

Amara was getting up to join him, so I helped her to scoot her chair back away from the table. In the process, I accidentally pinched her little fingers between the two chairs. She screamed (can't say I blame her!).

Dominic came running over with a very concerned look on his face. He kept patting her back trying to hug her, all the while asking, "Aiight, Ayah? Aiight, Ayah?" He was determined to give her a hug and let her know he was concerned. She wasn't having it, which only hurt his feelings. Yet his genuine concern and love was obvious... and again... did this mommy's heart good.