In the past sixteen months since the kids have been out of daycare and at home, they've become quite attached to each other.  The last time Marty and I went on a trip, the kids went to separate places to stay over the long weekend.  While they were apart, they chatted on the phone.  The conversation went something like this:
Sophie: Hi Tartin.
Martin: Hi Sophie.
Sophie: Hi Tartin.
Martin: Hi Sophie.

Here they are the other night playing in the porch - this pose was Martin's idea:


Of course it's not all love and hand holding and politeness, they do fight quite a bit.  They wrestle, argue over toys, rip things out each other's hands, and blame each other for messes.  But for the most part, I think they enjoy each other's company and have really grown to expect the other to be around.

Today Martin's friend called to see if Martin could go to the Dairy Queen for a treat.  I agreed that he could go if he would eat some dinner before leaving.  He quickly ate a sandwich (the fastest and most neatly eaten meal on record for him) and got ready to go.  This was his first time going somewhere like this with someone who wasn't family, and he was pretty excited.  He promised to be polite and to behave, and picked out a special outfit for the adventure.  Here he is waiting by the window, watching for his friend to arrive.


Sophie and I walked Martin out to their car and waved goodbye.  Finally understanding what was happening, she yelled "Tartin! Get out!" and started crying.  We waved goodbye again and went into the house.  She ran into the living room and climbed up on the chaise.  "Tartin! Come back!" she wailed.  She hid her head, then looked back up to see them pulling out of the driveway.  "Tartin!" she cried.  This continued for the next fifteen minutes until Marty came home and took her out for a walk to distract her until Martin was safely back in her line of vision.