You 'da Man!

I witnessed the cutest interaction a couple of nights ago.

Matthew was sitting at the table playing games on the computer when Elizabeth came up from the basement. (She had been down there working on a project all evening.) Seemingly out of the blue, Elizabeth asked Matthew if he wanted to come downstairs and play his video games in the basement.
A bit confused, he looked at her and asked, "Why???"
"Because it's cooler downstairs. You'll be more comfortable...And I don't want to be alone. My imagination is playing tricks on me."
She probably flashed him a puppy-dog look at that point, too.

Matthew is a very accommodating guy, and it didn't take him too long to agree to Elizabeth's request. So she turned and bounded back down the stairs.
Looking up from my place in the kitchen, I said to Matthew, "She needs someone brave and strong to protect her. And you're just the man for the job!"

I only wish I had a camera ready to capture the look of pride on Matthew's face, as he gathered up the computer and went to the basement to stand guard over his big sister.
It was priceless!