Sibling Rivalry, Sumo Style

It seems that long breaks from school bring out the best and worst in LJ and Julianna's relationship. I spent most of this morning running interference and trying to stop them from playing games like "King of the Bed," "Kiddy Sumo Wrestling," and "Dragging Each Other Around by the Legs."

After four days of winter break, they quickly moved from playing board games to playing bored games. The kind that inevitably end in finger pointing and name calling.

Most of the time the kids get along really well. Of course there are moments when they tease and provoke each other, but I do believe that LJ and Julianna love each other very much (even if LJ would never admit it).

One hallmark of their relationship is how much Julianna looks up to her big brother. And she truly relishes the opportunity to be LJ's wingman.

She is the Teller to his Penn ... the Minnie to his Mickey ... the Pippin to his Jordan.

No doubt there is a healthy dose of sibling rivalry between the two. But no matter how many wedgies or wet willies LJ delivers, Julianna grins and bears it with undying devotion.

Today, during a game of Sorry!, LJ tackled Julianna when she knocked his piece back to start. No lie ... he actually clocked her with the full weight of his 76 pounds and left her lying prone and stunned on the carpet.

Her reaction? She popped up and started laughing. And she didn't flinch when, on LJ's next move, he sent her piece right back to start too. She just smiled and said, "Good move, Jack!"

I had the same kind of "need to please" my brother, TJ, who is four years older than me. TJ and I had (and still have) a great relationship, but that doesn't mean that he didn't pick on me from time to time.

LJ and Julianna love to hear the story about when TJ tricked me into eating canned dog food by telling me it was sausage from the pizza our mom was making.

I share that story (and others) with them because I think it's important for them to know that even the most loving brothers and sisters are going to get on each other's nerves.

It's okay that they get frustrated with each other on occasion. What matters is that they weather the storm and settle their differences ... however that may be.

And if settling it for LJ and Julianna means a little more Kiddy Sumo Wrestling, that's just fine by me.

I'm just getting the heck out of the way before they throw down.