A week ago one of our neighborhood friends went past the house and saw Kai and Anya happily playing with their Moon Sand (outside…of course!) on the front walk. They were giggling and creating “food” and sharing their creations with each other. She noted that they played together so well and her two are not like that at all. Although sad for her, I was really happy to hear that she thought they played well together. They really do have their moments of sibling strife, but usually they reserve them for us. Lucky us. 😉
The expectations of having the kids so close together was that they would play well together and be close…two little peas in a pod if you will. The reality is that they play with each other’s toys and that is not to be allowed. Well, sometimes at least. Then they realize that the only playmate in the house is about their size and related to themso they give into that sibling rivalry in order to have FUN. Not sure why this is such a struggle, but alas…kids are weird.
As they have gotten older they have fallen into their roles as antagonist and victim. Anya = Antagonist, Kailan = Victim
I must say, though, that Kailan has finally gotten to the point where he is actually standing up for himself. The tattling still is pretty rampant in the house. We will hear the ruckus, a plaintive wail, and the little feets coming to articulate just how unjust life is and how their sibling wronged them in some unconscionable way. Our response is generally telling them they have to stand up for themselves and figure it out or they BOTH lose whatever it is they are fighting over. After a few loses of their treasures they are starting to realize that losing their stuff is not an acceptable alternative to getting their sibling in trouble. To think! It’s amazing at how following through on your threats will garner results. (side note – Brian found one of those “loses of treasures” the other night…I think we took it away about a year ago. Obviously they have too many toys!)
Oh, and it must be said…Anya’s cuteness in no way allows her any sway with her parents. We are immune to the sweet soft voice and baby blues as they target the parental unit. She may be able to hypnotize others, but her parents are well in tune to her wiley ways of manipulation…usually.
On the night where I took the picture above, the kids were modeling in their clothes I had just made them. Anya has apparently decided she is going to be America’s Next Top Model. Oh good golly she was funny! Then Kailan decided all that attention looked fun, so he joined in on the game. It was fun for all of us, as they posed for the camera with all the silliness they could muster. They tried their best at being the Zoolander extraordinaire of the house…and it was fun! That is what being a parent is about. Having happy kids that enjoy being together and having fun together. We need more of those moments. 🙂
Posts like this make me a bit sad for Nadia, never having that sibling bond…a brother or sister to mostly love, except when they hate each other! at least not now…who knows, one day. My sister and I have actually always been best friends, even as kids, so I do regret that Nadia misses out on that. At any rate, it sounds like you are doing a great job raising Kai and Anya to be friends! Those grins and hugs must just melt your heart. And you ANTM/Zoolander evening sounds like fun. 🙂
Great pictures and great looking kids, glad you added that qualifier;
“but her parents are well in tune to her wiley ways of manipulation…(usually).” LOL They do seem to get along rather well, and that’s fun to see in this day and age… Speaks well of the parents I would say… :o)
So glad to hear of them playing together so well! I think they will only get closer as they get older – except, of course, during a few of those teenage years! I’ve only ever heard people with kids so close in age say that their kids were “best friends” – I’m looking forward to more moments of cuteness like the pics! Caden is just now starting to appreciate Cole, but in a few months, I hope they are playing and laughing a lot together!
My girls are 3 1/2 years apart and struggle with finding things in common. They disagree quite a bit. So I’ve always wished they were closer in age. I’m glad to hear that you have some sibling rivalry as well with them being close in age. Not glad that they argue but glad to know that the struggles come no matter what the age difference.
Yup, there’s nothing like a sibling. I too am sad that the BA will never have one although she has all these step brothers so she gets a bit of practice ‘getting along’ with people. My Flaming Sword Society approves of your methods of ‘mediation’ between kids.:-) One of my friends once commented that the reason Mo Mowlam (a female) was the only British politician able to wrangle a peace agreement in Northern Ireland, was because she had been a mother to toddlers!
My little ones are so good together too! Doesn’t it just melt your heart to see them forming bonds and loving each other?! I’m an only child, so I never had that experience. I am just so thrilled to see it in my children. (When they’re not fussing at each other.) 🙂