boys vs. girls

Last night, after an evening of the "now standard" conquer and divide to get it all done, we finally had the little ones all in bed.  Patrick and I had to head out the door to meet up with some friends.  We have realized we can leave Luke and Sarah home to "hold down the fort" together if all the rest are in bed.  The house was a bit of a wreck due the busy evening and all the bodies "playing" before the evening started.  I offered Sarah  $5 to load dishes, clean the kitchen, swap out laundry and such. Luke didn't get offered a chance at cash since he had some "homework" to finish up.  The house was immaculate when we returned.  Sarah had pledged the kitchen table, left a few picture books on the endtable and post-it note love notes to us on our door.  Patrick was in awe.  And I began to contemplate the cost of a $5 clean-up every night.  Luke was the last child awake reading when we got home.  And teasingly, Patrick asked him if he sat and watched Sarah work all evening.  Luke replied, "Nope, I ate some food too!"  That about sums up life in this new stage of budding teens and busy lives.