Changing Dynamics

I am amazed at how much the dynamics have changed in the lively house since September 2nd, the first day of full-day kindergarten. Having two kids close together created a situation where it was *almost* like having twins at times. Instant playmates, growing and maturing together, playing with many of the same toys and having the same interests, enjoying the same outings and relying on each other for companionship as well as making me feel more like a referee than a mom at other times. Evyn, who battled her way through speech therapy went from primarily signing to full blown boss(y) in a matter of a year. At this point, or a little after, Reed started talking too, except his talk was overcome by his sister's voice. He has always been more of a quiet observer, so he submitted to her chatter. This is the way it has been for a couple of years now.....service-oriented Evyn has been calling the shots, bossing me around, bossing Reed around and requesting that everything be done FOR her and Reed hardly gets a word in.

You can imagine how quiet the house is during the day now. There is no fighting (ahh! peace at last), there are few demands, as Reed takes pride in doing things for myself, by himself (ahh! lovin' an independent child), however, on the days he is not at pre-school, he is lost. It also does not help that two of his buddies are in pre-school opposite days from him, so his usual playdate opportunities no longer exist. He begs to go to the bus stop hours before it is due to arrive. I never truly realized how much he relied on Evyn for companionship. He and I have been playing all kinds of games, he now talks almost non-stop and the things that are coming from him are, at times, amazing. His grammar, his imagination - wow! The alone time is wonderful. I get to focus on Reed only - something that is new to both of us.

The only problem is my work and Evyn's bus schedule. I thought I would have even more time to work during the day (which equals more free time in the evening) with one child gone most of it, but I actually have less. Reed needs me more now that Evy is gone, and I find myself in a weird transition, trying to still be efficient with my work since I do not go to bed until it is done every night and also loving this new side of Reed who wants me to play with him and loves to talk and tell me wild stories of when he used to be a guinea pig or about the big red bus with a giant stop sign that is coming to pick him up at the end of the driveway. My mandatory "quiet time" is now interrupted by Evyn's bus schedule and then getting her fed (they have to eat lunch at 10:30!!) and settled in. Luckily, work has been slow lately and is allowing me to figure out this new life of mine without interfering with my alone time with Reed who will likely be joining Evyn on that school bus for full-day kindy next year. Really, I am just in shock with the current changes and also thinking ahead to next year when I will be home alone for seven whole hours. Mixed emotions!!