The Differences Between Girls and Girls!

I have 2 daughters, and if you know their personalities, you will get a kick out of this story.

Back story:
Andy bought Emma (8) a basketball hoop for Christmas, it's under a tarp in our garden. It's been there for some time now. The girls were instructed weeks ago not to look under the tarp.

A few days ago, I asked Emma to go outside to look for a specific shovel, she took a little while to return and when she did, she was acting a bit unusual.

Later that morning during school....

Emma, (Sigh)...."I really think a basketball hoop for Christmas would be the greatest thing I could ever get....I could practice, play games with Dad, share with Olivia...."

At that point I started listening and noticing the parent-buttering-aspect to her speech.

Emma, (SIGH)...."Well, I guess we'll see what happens."

I rolled my eyes a bit when she couldn't see me and called both the girls to give me their attention from their school work. "Have either of you by chance peeked underneath the tarp in the garden?

Emma barely hesitated at all, even though her voice was squeaky and her tears were quick to her eyes, "I did mom. It was an accident! It just happened! I saw what's under there, and I'm so sorry!!! I've been so curious and I see it back there all the time, and I just wanted to look quick, I am SO SORRY." 

I didn't say anything at first, I could see her own guilt was doing it's own work well enough already.

"Emma, thank you for telling me, but that took a bit of something special away from your Dad who was anxious to surprise you on Christmas....."

That was all it took, Emma's tears turned into sobs as she nodded her head and ran to her room to let out her pent up guilt and sadness. I looked over at Livy (6) who had quietly been listening this whole time, who now gave me a smunched up face with an expression of weariness to Emma's dramatic flare, Livy shook her head a bit and then stopped, stared up at me and said with raised eyebrows....


"Wait, what tarp?" 


Anyone else have such sharp contrasts in your children?! :)
I think they'll need each other in life for balance.