Tugging on those heart-strings all the time

Walking home the other day, I heard shouts of "Jackie lao shr! Hello!" and found four cute little Chinese kids surrounding me. Having used up their English in about 30 seconds flat, one of them continued to try to talk to me in Chinese, which I only understand scattered words of (on a good day). Regardless, they followed me home and had tea with me. Good thing I had some snacks on hand: baby oranges, peanuts and sunflower seeds! Tea was a bit makeshift; I only have two mugs and a glass, so two people had to drink from empty jelly and honey jars.

Between my digital camera, the masks I'd made for a lesson on emotions, and a puzzle which was a prize in an empty cookie box, they seemed to find enough to amuse themselves with in my apartment. They spent a pleasant hour or so, washed their own tea cups (water only, as most Chinese people do. But still! Five- or six-year-olds entertained themselves, then washed their own cups! They are so good!!), then left when I mimed that I would like to rest.

How can you resist?? That's right, you can't.