Dog and Cat

Most days, my kids are like this.  They have fun together and play together well.  They love each other.

And then there are days that are more like this. 

Jesse and I were talking downstairs this morning and we could hear Diego and Eliana getting louder and louder upstairs. My husband didn't know what I was referring to when I mentioned that I was afraid they were going to end up like the Gingham Dog and Calico Cat today.  So, I shared The Duel by Eugene Field with him.  (I'll share it with you too, just on the off chance that you're not familiar with it either.)

The gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;

'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)

Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!

The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat.

(I was n't there; I simply state

What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "Bow-wow-wow!"

And the calico cat replied "Mee-ow!"

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row!

(Now mind: I 'm only telling you

What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

Wallowed this way and tumbled that,

Employing every tooth and claw

In the awfullest way you ever saw---

And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!

(Don't fancy I exaggerate---

I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning, where the two had sat

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folks think unto this day

That burglars stole that pair away!

But the truth about the cat and pup

Is this: they ate each other up!

Now what do you really think of that!

(The old Dutch clock it told me so,

And that is how I came to know.)

I ended up going upstairs and separating them- told them to go to their own rooms and play alone.  It wasn't the first time today (or the last) where they were driving each other crazy... or maybe it's me they're driving crazy.  Today I have heard them yell "Take that!" numerous times as they thrust their forks at each other.  (I think we're having soup and using spoons tonight.) I know some days are like this.  That it's part of being siblings, but days like today make me tired and sad that they aren't loving each other.  So, what do you do on days like today when you're afraid your kids might eat each other up? Or if you don't have kids of your own, what did your parents do?  I'm taking advice today.