That’s what big brothers do

Cooper and Charlotte have really been amazing friends since they were babies.  They’ve had a built-in playmate and they’ve always looked out for each other.  I am so happy to see that this hasn’t changed as they have gotten older.

Both of the kids have toothbrushes that play music for 2 minutes while they brush their teeth.  Charlotte loves the song on Cooper’s toothbrush, but I won’t let her use his (ew, gross).  So when he brushed his teeth he leans over for a few seconds so she can hear the song, while he put his other arm over her shoulders.  When they finished brushing their teeth, Charlotte turned to Cooper and said, ‘Cooper, you are a good brother.  I love you.’

I took the kids to the park yesterday and I was watching Cooper and Charlotte interact with the other kids at the park.  Cooper found a little boy who was probably about 8-10 years old to play with.  Soon I overhear this exchange:

Cooper:  Hey that’s mean.  That’s my sister and she can play.  Look you made her sad.

Little boy:  [shrugs]

Cooper: [goes to little boy’s dad]  Excuse me sir, but your son won’t let my sister play the game and she is very upset.

Dad:  [nods at Cooper and half-heartedly says] Play nicely please

Little boy: She can’t play with us.

Cooper:  Well if my sister can’t play, I won’t be your bad guy.

Little boy:  Alright, fine she can play too.

When I told Cooper on the way home that I was proud of him for sticking up for his sister and that he was very kind.  He told me, ‘Well that’s what big brothers do.’

(On a side note, I have often wondered if one our children would begin viewing themselves as the oldest or first born.  I tend to think of Cooper as my first born and of Charlotte as my oldest.  I guess Cooper views himself as the oldest and Charlotte doesn’t seem to refute.  I wonder if it’s a combination of how I interact with them, their size difference, and their very different personalities.)