In the below story, anything that is in Italics is something I see as a joy and benefit of having my kids around me so much, and being able to experience them first hand:
Today my kids were playing outside together quite a bit. When I glanced out the window, I saw my two older kids playing some game where one was crawling around on their hands and knees like some animal, and the other was leading them around the yard. My young ones were animatedly having some make believe discussion on the swing set, with, of course, Bella telling Tyson exactly what to do and how to do it.
A while later, they came inside and continued in their "pairs". Payton and Katrina went to his room playing their "puppy" game and Bella and Tyson asked for some wooden dolls to get down. At one point, I walked past the room where the big kids played and saw Katrina face down on Paytons bed snippedly saying something about how she didn't want to play with him. This has always been a problem with her, she knows that if she whines and refuses to play with Payton when the game is not going her way, it will teach him, and just maybe she'll get her way! Otherwise, she'll absolutely make his life miserable. I have been trying to help Payton lately understand why she does this, and that instead of getting so upset and crying that "Katrina won't play the game now" he should try
a) Walking away and teaching her a lesson that it doesn't bother him (my choice)
b) Talk to her about it and come up with a solution
As I walked by and saw her throwing one of her manipulative fits, I said "Katrina, you just go in your room right now and be by yourself if you're going to act like that!" When Payton, to my surprise, held up his hand and said "Wait Mom, let me just try something." and calmly shut the door. They haven't emerged from their game for the past 45 minutes.
Bella then came out of her room with Tyson in tow and said, "Mom, we cleaned up all the wood dolls, now can we please have the cake down?" A little while later, they cleaned that up and asked to watch a movie. Bella picked Swan Lake. She brought the movie case over to Tyson and said dreamily, "Isn't she so, so, pretty Tyson?" Tyson just *sighed* in the same dreamy voice. :)
I then said they could watch it after Bella swept the floor, she ran and grabbed the sweeper and said, "C'mon Tyson, you sweep and I'll show you where!" Which he agreed to. After they were done sweeping Bella said, "Mom, today Tyson and I are friends!"
I just love when the kids quietly group off and find enjoyment in spending time with each other. (And not just because it keeps them out of my hair) It just feels so right to have siblings getting along and playing like "friends". Now, in about 10 minutes everyone could be worst enemies, and on the floor ripping each others hair out, but for now, I will just enjoy that tranquil feeling of being a happy FAMILY.