Guys and their girls

We have had an interesting development here at Strong Echoes Central. Mermaid Princess has developed a passion for reading. At the moment, she is just about impossible to extract from Big E.'s old Calvin and Hobbes books. For a couple of days, Flash was stumped at the sudden disappearance of his best bud.

Upon glancing around our abode for a solution, he suddenly realized that the pesky two year old who arrived some months ago and still hasn't been sent back might be good fun after all. And just like that, a friendship has formed.

It did give me a glimpse at a potential down the road conflict - the kind that happens when two brothers are 19 months apart... We had a friend from JackJack's class at church over here on Monday. Initially, she and JackJack were thick as thieves...
Then Flash joined the fun (MP having disappeared into C&H again.)

Mommy pulls out the popsicles to lure MP from her comic strip induced haze (using sugar to break a reading habit... hmmmm.... I think I may need to reconsider that policy.)

Everyone went for a romp on the trampoline (with the sprinkler on underneath - I could see their goosebumps from across the yard.)

And then Flash drove off with JackJack's girl!

By the time we took our friend home, Flash had claimed her for his own, making sure she was buckled into her carseat correctly, getting her snack ready, and then holding her hand on the ride. Fortunately, JackJack seemed fine with this turn of events. Either brotherly love triumphed or he was so ready for his nap, he just didn't notice. I will, however, have to put my foot down if I see this friend-poaching habit continue!