Sisters Who Play

We've known from practically birth, that these girls are not the same. But that doesn't mean they don't get along. Actually, we're starting to see their differences making them better playmates.

Nora excels in relationships. She wants to learn your name, shake your hand, unpack your family trauma, and get invited over for dinner. This pays off in a few ways for the sister team:

• Assembling park gangs. She's great at walking up to the kid with the cool toy, or the good game, and getting involved. Maeve then gets to join in after her sister. If there's good fun to be had, within minutes of arriving at a park the girls are up in the fun.
• Guarding her territory. Today, Nora and Maeve were playing cafe in a tent structure at a playground. Some older kids playing tag made the poor decision to try to hide in her tent. She was quick to tell them to get out of here. Maeve gets to watch as her sister fends off rogue pre-teens.
• Navigating No. Nora understands that behind every answer is a reason, and is more than willing to unpack the WHY behind our decisions, to find a backdoor case for going shopping for hair bands, or getting ice cream.  If theatre fails her, the legal field will be in for trouble.

Maeve is keen to explore. She's the first to demand out of the stroller in a crowded grocery store. She finds the interesting play structure on the other side of the park. And for Nora, this works in her favor:

• Testing for Danger. At a playground in Victoria, there are some wild slides. Nora was rightfully unsure. So they Maeve to test it out. One awkward rocketing drop later, Nora had confirmed the slide unfit for 4 year olds. And my two year old now sports an epic cut and bruise on her cheek.
• Distractions. Sometimes we have to leave parks (we're truly cruel parents). And many a time, this is the moment Maeve will choose to run away from us. She's fast – the kind of speed you need to put effort into closing the distance on. And she's good at finding an obstacle. You weave right? She's gone the otherway. All the while, Nora banks some extra minutes on the swings.