They Do Love Each Other After All

Zusha claims he doesn't love Gedalya. When confronted as to why he saves half of every treat he gets for him, why he demands anything that is being bought for him should also be bought for Gedalya, he answers, "I give him food, but I don't love him."

He's just saying it for the reactions. But seriously, even when he is alone with me or my mother and is getting individual attention, he keeps mentioning Gedalya.

Gedalya also. When Zusha is in cheider and Gedalya sees that we're getting ready to go outside, he asks excitedly, "We're going to Zusha'le?" as if he forgot the beating he endured earlier that day.

But then, there are heartwarming stories, as well.

We were in Amazing Savings last week. It was crowded. It was noisy. It was getting late. The kids weren't listening to me. They weren't following me when I called them. And I've had enough.
At one point, Gedalya realized that the hole puncher we were going to buy was missing. He was carrying it and apparently put it down somewhere. He was going to go to the previous aisle to look for it. I didn't let. He went anyway.
Zusha chased him down the aisle and shouted at him, "Gedalya! Mama's going to go away!"
Poor Gedalya tried to get a word in edgewise, but Zusha wouldn't listen. He just held on to Gedalya's clothes and demanded that he come back. Then, out of frustration, Gedalya burst into tears.
Zusha's voice softened and he said, "What happened? What do you want?"
Gedalya told him through tears that he lost his hole puncher and wants to go look for it by the books. Zusha thought for a second and said, "Okay, come with Mama. I'll share my hole puncher with you."

Can you just melt?

We were finally heading home, and the kids were hungry. I stopped off at a grocery to get some things they can eat on the way. Zusha took a bunch of ice creams from the freezer. I was about to refuse, but he said he won't eat it today, but will save it for later. So I agreed.
Of course, right after we left the store, Zusha announced that he will eat the ice cream as soon as he gets home. I said no. He said yes. I said tomorrow. He said no. I said, okay, no ice cream tomorrow. After some of this back-and-forth, I asked Gedalya (who was sitting meekly and timidly in the stroller) if he wanted ice cream tomorrow. He said yes, very excitedly.
So Zusha replied, "NO! I will eat ice cream today, and Gedalya will eat ice cream today, because he is my brother!"