Pushmi-pullyu

Nicholas and Nathan have taken to fighting over every little thing. Yesterday the practically came to blows (and would have, had I not interceded) over lunch boxes. Nicholas was using a new lunch box (because I left his regular one at school) and Nathan was feeling left out, or at least I guessed he was, since he kept running up and snatching the lunch box and running away with it and screaming when anyone tried to reclaim it. So I got a small soft cooler that the hospital gave us when Nate was born, and gave that to Nathan.

Nick loved this, and he then tried to get Nick to play "Going To School" with him. Nick slung his lunch box strap over his shoulder and walked around the dining room. With a little urging, Nathan did the same, following in his brothers footsteps. It worked while they walked, but them Nick said "Now we put away our lunch boxes. Put your lunch box up here, Nate." Nathan had been going along with it, but suddenly Nick was taking away HIS LUNCH BOX! Nathan wasn't about to give it up. Nicholas was frustrated because Nathan was NOT PLAYING BY THE RULES! And of course Nathan had no idea there were rules to begin with.

Both boys were screaming and screeching and red in the face, each with one end of the lunch box and pulling with all his little might.

Nathan has also started to get jealous of Nick. I can tell because when I sit with Nick on my lap, which isn't all that often these days, Nathan tried to push him off.

I see them litle Dr. Dolittle's Pushmi-pullyu. As the duck said "Lord save us! How does it make up its mind?"