So How Are They Getting Along?

People frequently ask how Riley and Colin get along with each other. They answer is they act just like you'd expect a brother and sister to act. They watch each others back in public and shove each other in the back when they get home. Riley likes to tell people, "This is my brother, Colin." Colin will likewise point to Riley and utter, "I-eeee." They can fight like cats and dogs but can also be a great comfort to one another. Recently, while playing around the house, Colin bumped his head on a doorway. He started to whimper, and Riley ran over to sooth him. She did not witness his injury but decided for some reason that he must have hurt his finger. She rubbed it and gave it a kiss, telling him not to cry. He was quite happy about this attention. When he noticed I was watching, he must have wanted additional sympathy because resumed his whimpering and ran to me holding his "injured" finger aloft. 

Here is a video I recently shot of the kids. They had been playing happily together with a pizza box (Why do I bother with toys?) so I decided to capture a scene

 of blissful harmony in our home. This, naturally, was the result. 

Here are some recent random pictures of the kids.

Colin quickly switches between being "niiiiii" to the cats and trying to run them over with his dump truck. Maebh is the most tolerant of the three. 

Riley and Maebh have a close bond. Maebh can often be found cuddling with Riley on the couch or curled up on her bed at night. 

Colin was so proud for putting on a hat and gloves all by himself. 

What a doll. (If you look carefully, you can see Hobbes' head sticking out from underneath the chair.)

Jeff took the kids out to play in the snow. Riley loves rolling around and making snow angels as is evident from all the snow on her suit. Colin didn't really know what to think of all the white stuff and basically stood right where Jeff put him and look confused. It could have been because I had him bundled up like Randy on "A Christmas Story" and he just couldn't move very well. 

Riley is quite skilled on the computer. She loves to play games on the Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids websites.

Jeff has taken up photography as a hobby. He took these pictures of the kids while experimenting with his new flash.

And now for some Riley quotes:

Riley (looking at photos of my parents): Why are they kissing?

Me: It's their wedding. They're getting married.

Riley: I want to get married.

Me: You do? Who are you going to marry?

Riley: Jesus. 

Riley: Mommy, are you OK?

Me: Yes, I just sneezed.

Riley: No, you're not OK. You are very sick.

Me: I'm fine. I just had a little tickle in my nose.

Riley (very insistent): No, you are sick. You have a bad cold and your head hurts and your nose is running and your tummy feels yucky. 

Riley is becoming a bit of a hypochondriac.