There are a few possessions that Cheekers has a great affection for. But there is nothing in this world that makes her happier then when her big sister is happy and willing to play with her.
Every day my girls play together. They laugh. They pretend. This can go on for hours - and I am grateful. Then there are those other moments. These moments involve bickering, hearing "Mooommmmm," from the other room and the need for "alone" time. But of my darling duo, there is really only one girl that requires a bit of "alone" time - the older one.
The younger one could play non-stop with the older one All. Day. Long.
And while Cheekers doesn't always have luck in having her sister partake in "play," she has recently developed a new strategy....and a quite successful one.
Sydney is a bit reserved. She a less willing to order at restaurants, less eager to talk to new people or introduce herself or to initiate anything new. Cheekers on the other hand has no problem approaching people, asking for something she wants and initiating something new. But with this bravery must also come reward.
From the youngest of age, Natty has negotiated for everything. "What do I get if I _______?" Just about every action must be followed up with something in return.
Her latest negotiations have been all about playtime. More specifically, she'll do just about anything for her sister if that means her sister happily and willingly will play with her.
Most recently we were at a restaurant. Sydney has taken to barbecue sauce for dipping her French fries. She didn't remember to ask for them when ordering. So we said, go up to the counter and ask for it from the waitress. She was not willing. Ding, ding, ding....Cheekers hears an opportunity. "I'll go ask for your 'barbie-cube' sauce" She asks. She receives. She returns. "Here Sydney. Here is your barbie-cube sauce." Now it's deal time.
"So Sydney, wasn't it nice of me to go ask for sauce for you? Now what are you going to do for me?"
"What do you want Natalie?"
"I want you to play with me without whining about it."
"Fine."
Deal done.
That deal lasted about two days; and Cheekers wants a longer contract. So today she told me, "you know that gift card to Target I got for my birthday. I'm going to go buy Sydney the Princess Kate pony and give it to her."
I said, "Natalie, that is extremely generous of you to buy your sister a gift with your money. That is so sweet. Why are you wanting to do that?"
She replies, "I want my sister to be happy. I want to do that because she'll be happy. And I want her to play with me."
At this stage I'm not sure which of my kids is brighter. I can't prove that Sydney knows she's getting these rewards and all she has to do is play with her sister...but she might know. And the fact that my five year old is working deals that comes very easily to her seems like a pretty successful strategy to me. Either way it makes for interesting observations and less of me telling them to go play. Cheekers seems to be making that happen all on her own.