Im pretty sure mine are playing up because they aren't dealing well with me working 3 days at the moment. I am like you too - they are happy kids, we do HEAPS together, as a family, they also play really well by themselves but DS in particular is sooking constantly, saying no and nothign seems to be working. As Rowellen said, they behaved because you have taught them to behave not for any other reason hun, plus I keep reminding myself that they are still so little and need so much. I have gone right back to distraction - I read somewhere that it works up to age 7! I forget how effective it is and pick my battles. Not much advice but you defintely aren't alone.