This has been a fascinating week for me observing the kids.

On Mon night, hubby's college friend E and her hubby D, and her sons I and S, visited us at home. They have lived in Sydney since 2003 and the last time we saw them, Beth was a newborn (the one-month-old party) and the boys must have been about 7 or 8. S is now in Year 11 and his older bro will soon read Economics and Law at ANU.

What was really interesting was watching how the girls reacted when I told them we were having visitors, which would include two teenage boys.

Beth became very motivated. She showered without being reminded or nagged. Did her hair all by herself and impeccably, for the first time in her life (she is normally very  随便, hair falling out of her hairclips and hairties, very unkempt appearance). She sat on my lap for most of the evening, listening to the adult conversation while reading an Amelia Peabody mystery.

Miss J took a different approach. She stayed in the lounge the whole time, got out her toys and paper and textas, and started drawing. When S wandered out to see what was happening, she engaged him in her chatty 5 yo way. No shyness or reticence at all. She was just being herself, in her familiar territory, eager to show the visitor what she loved doing.

On Tue, the girls played so well together that I remarked to hubby how rare it was. And he agreed.

Today, they were back to the usual. One would want a toy, the other would want it also. B would refuse to share, J would insist on having the game her own way. La di da.