Our kids are relatively close in age. However, when our youngest was born, the gap between our kids seemed huge. Somehow older siblings appear to have a growth spurt right when you are at the hospital having another baby. Then, as baby learned how to smile, laugh, walk and run, the age gap seemed to slowly narrow.

Now that our youngest is a toddler, our kids are sometimes like three peas in a pod. They all love going to toy stores, ordering french fries at a restaurant, dancing, and running around the zoo. But, recently, the gap between our youngest and our oldest feels as if it is getting wider rather than narrower.

While our oldest enjoys playing with his baby sister, their relationship is very different than his relationship with our middle child. They may both enjoy coloring, reading, and soccer, but our oldest is taking on more of a mentor role rather than a playmate. He teaches his baby sister the different colors of the markers, he reads simple books to her, and he cheers her on as she tries to score a goal.

I love seeing the different dynamics between our kids. Of course there are moments of chaos, but it truly is heartwarming to see them playing together. Seeing our youngest look up to her older siblings. Seeing our older two let their imaginations run wild together. And seeing our youngest copy her older sister’s dance moves.

But, recently, I’ve especially enjoyed watching the relationship between our youngest and our oldest evolve. It is bittersweet to realize that our son has completely outgrown certain activities, but heartwarming to see that he understands how special these silly songs and games can be to a toddler. I don’t know exactly how their relationship will evolve as they grow up, but I fell very lucky to witness it.