What sibling rivalry?

The other day, I was watching tv and folding laundry while the kids were watching a cartoon in the bedroom.  As I was grumbling at my least favorite household chore in the world, I heard little voices raised in anger.

Followed by a small crash.

Then a loud screech.

Followed by a boyish umphhhh

and a little girly scream.

So I took a deep breath and yelled, “Both of you get in here right now.”

After a long pause, I breathed in again to yell “Two” but stopped as I heard my two hellions tromping down the hall.

Pork Chop and Pea rounded the corner, holding hands and smiling.

Pea: “Yes, Mommy?”

Pork Chop: “Did you call us?”

As they stopped in front of me, my seven year old let go of my 5 year old’s hand and casually draped his arm around his sister’s shoulder.

“Why are you two fighting?”

Pea: “We aren’t fighting, Mommy.  We love each other.”

So I turn around to Pork Chop, “Why did you push your sister off of the chair?”

Pea: “It was an accident, Mommy.”

Pork Chop: “Because she was being annoying and taking up all of the room.  I was there first.  So I accidentally pushed her.”

Pea: “It was an accident.”

Me:  “Why were you annoying your brother?”

Pea:  “I wanted to watch Baby Bratz.  Can I go to the daycare in a mall, too?”

Pork Chop: “I just want to go to aftercare.”

Me: “He was watching TV first.  There is no daycare in the mall and no you can’t go to aftercare anymore because I quit my job to take care of you, myself.  Stop fighting.”

Both of them:  “We weren’t fighting.  We love each other.”

It is during times like this that I have no idea whether to be proud of their collaboration or terrified.