Sibling Civil War at Eye Level

These siblings share a lot of interests: sports, superheroes, idolization of their big brother.  But much to big sister's chagrin, they also share the same height.  And she is almost FIVE YEARS OLDER than him!

Can you imagine being eye level with your annoying little brother while at the same time being fifteen when he is ten years old?  This is sibling civil war rivalry on a whole new level - a level of height equality and age disparency.  This picture was taken when she was almost fourteen and he was barely nine.

The playing field for this civil war is equal in another way: they are both adopted.  The older one was a planned adoption.  We found each other - and she was so much like me I couldn't believe she didn't come out of me.  The younger one... well, he was an accidental adoption.  I had gone back to work for a couple years and foolishly believed we were done adding to the family.  But the universe had other plans - apparently when you wish upon a star for a long time to have lots of kids, those wishes don't expire.  Suddenly a little baby boy was hanging around and the rest of the family was all "can we keep him?" - and it seemed like there had been a place for him in our home all along.  Old family pictures seem to have a space there, just waiting for him to fill it.  We can't imagine our family without this little accident.

I love that they are smiling at each other in this face off - they do enjoy each other when one is not acting like a teen and the other is not being annoying.  My heart goes out to the teen - I remember when my little brother got taller than me.  It was a big set back for me in the sibling rivalry department.  Bossing around someone who is taller than you is uncomfortable, but it did prepare me for parenting my two older kids who towered over me before they started high school.  

Despite the years between them, the height thing won't be what makes or breaks this sibling civil war.  That older kid is one tough cookie; I don't think that younger one will be able to push her around.  That younger kid has a big, soft heart; I don't think that older one will go without some admiration coming from above, coming from that annoying, but tall, little brother.