So Kayla, as any big sister faced with a baby sister who can move and try to play with what she has, has a habbit of pushing her. Fortunately, she never hits her and she does not push to hurt her. But she will simply put her hand on her head and push her down so she can no longer reach whatever toy Alysa is trying to get at. Of course, we deal with these with time outs and explanations. And actually, the pushing has toned down a bit. Now, one of Kayla's ways of "getting rid" of Alysa, is to put her body right next to Alysa's and slowly ease her out of the way with her body. So that's next to tackle.

Well, today, I was cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast and I hear Alysa whining. This isn't beyond the norm, because Alysa has a cold, so she's miserable. But I walk in the family room and there is Kayla standing at our Dancing Monkey Bandstand toy with Alysa sitting on the floor behind her. I know what's going on here. Kayla is blocking Alysa from the toy. But I can't do too much b/c I didn't SEE anything. So I go over and just talk to them to "ask" what's the problem. Kayla comes over to me (leaving the Monkey wide open for Alysa). So then we have Alysa, standing at the Monkey happy as a clam. Kayla goes up to her, stands really close (getting ready to edge her out) and what does Alysa do (remember, she's just over 10 months)? She looks at her sister, puts her little hand on her side and pushes Kayla. Kayla, so taken by surprise, actually falls to the ground.

Now, I have to say, I was so glad to witness this. It really was hysterical. It took every ounce of willpower I had to NOT laugh outloud. And I would never wish either of my girls to get hurt. But since I knew Kayla was fine, all I thought was - "Good for you Alysa". Of course, Kayla whined and I had to be "fair" and I told Alysa that she can't push her sister. But I'm thinking that Alysa "fighting back", will do way more towards curbing Kayla's pushing than any time outs ever would.

That's my feisty 10 months - who is also fully walking by the way.