My girls can be oh so loving and sweet to one another sometimes.
And then sometimes, they're, well, oh so NOT loving and sweet to one another.
Especially when we have a new routine to get used to--Mama working, Daddy doing research, Barrett at a new preschool, Owen at a new camp, Grandma here to fill in the in-between hours. All of those changes out a bit of a strain on sibling--and family--relations.
For example, shortly after I arrived at work yesterday, I received the following email message from Paul:
I am currently engaged in a test of wills with Owen. She decided to drag out the cardboard blocks with the understanding that she had to put them away before we left for camp. Barrett came and took THREE of them and went back into the bedroom. This earned Barrett the title of 'meanest sister ever' and forced Owen to disavow any knowledge of the need to put the blocks away and to begin crying as though the world would end.
All was fairly quickly resolved. Barrett asked Paul to "make Owen smile again." My mom and both girls helped to put away the blocks. Everyone got off to their respective sites with pleasant enough attitudes.
And I tried not to feel guilty all day.
