Sisters

For all of their (totally normal) picking and bickering, which really isn't all that much, actually -- the girls are really very good to each other.

I overhead and spied on this last night, after I had tucked in The Dictator for the night:

Princess, sweetly: "Dictator, here, let me give you a hug" She went into the room and sat on The Dictator's bed. Leaned in and gave her sister a big hug.

Dictator, sincerely: "I hope your mouth feels better." The Princess' night brace for her braces had cut a huge gouge into her cheek.

Princess: "It's doing a lot better . . ."

They proceeded to have a hushed, sisterly little conversation for a minute or so, while I stood in the hallway and swelled with pride.

I try really hard to make sure that they respect their sibling bond -- that they treat each other well and with kindness. I know that some squabbling is normal -- but treating each other with cruelty is not tolerable.

I tell them that they have a built-in best friend for life, if they just take care of the relationship.

So far, so good.