For the love of a spotted cow

The boys have several toys in the Fisher Price farm/barn theme. Among those toys is a larger and smaller spotted cow that apparently carries it's weight in toddler love (at least Jackson and Connor's). We have not been able to decipher exactly what it is or why it is so necessary but both Jackson and Connor need to have one of these cows when the animals are dumped out. These cows have led to many a tantrums, including tears and pushing and wrestling to the ground.

Both Michael and I are on "look-out" when the animals are dumped out of their bag to make sure that there is even distribution of the cows or that one boy doesn't get both. And, if that happens (fingers crossed that it is Connor), we have to encourage someone to share the beloved cow. There have been too many tears shed over this that I probably should go out and get another set since nobody but the boys will probably understand the importance of a spotted cow and maybe that is just how it is meant to be. I guess, as parents, we don't need to understand, rather be the referee to make sure that each boy gets their cow.



p.s. Another side to this is that we have another spotted cow but he is a little plumper and is not a considered substitute.

p.s.s. The only thing that I can think of is that Baby MacDonald has a puppet show featuring a horse and a cow and some food and some taking of food. Both boys love watching the puppet shows and give big smiles when this is on and besides the spotted cow, each boy is generally also holding a horse. I think that I may be reaching but it's all I've got ?!?