We rode it out too. DS2 (4.5) still gets cranky in the afternoons... and the mornings. He's not a morning person lol. We did try a change of bed time but found that they got up earlier in the morning so it defeated the purpose really. They both go to bed at 7 (sleep on the other hand is more like 9...) and are waking around 6-6:30.

Hope you find something that works