I mentioned before that Brett and Emery are splitting the cooking duties with me. Emery is still a little handicapped as he isn’t reading on his own yet (but he’s getting close!)

In this photo, Brett is helping Emery to read the recipe for coffee cake (breakfast for tomorrow). Don’t you think they’ll make great future chefs?

I just love it when my children work together. Let me rephrase that. I just love it when my children work together without bickering and fighting.

Right now, Greyden and Fletcher are probably the two that are having the most trouble working (and playing) together. It seems like everything ends up in either one of two ways. Either Greyden is laying face down on the floor screaming like a baby. Or Greyden is sitting on top of Fletcher, whacking him as hard as he can.

It’s actually pretty funny to watch. Especially if you are wearing ear plugs. They’re still young enough that they aren’t hurting each other too much physically. It’s the emotions that are being injured.

One of our family goals is that the children become each other’s best friends. That means they spend lots and lots of time together. So inevitably there are disagreements. And they’re in the process of learning that the correct way to handle a conflict is not to pin someone to the ground and whack them.

I still remember the first time my younger brother got the upper hand over me. He pinned me to the ground and whacked my head against the hardwood floor, repeatedly. It made quite a lasting mental impression (pun intended). My younger brother was now stronger than me. So I had to make some adjustments in our relationship. I only remember him ever physically hurting me that one time (although I’m sure there were others).

For the most part, I don’t doubt that Greyden and Fletcher will be great friends. After all, I remember when Brett and Emery fought all the time. So if I ever despair that the children don’t work together well, all I have to do is remember my two future chefs.