Playroom :: Almost Complete

We've made some great progress on Evelina's playroom over the past few months.  It's been slow going but it is really coming together nicely.  I love the space and Evelina seems to enjoy it as well.  She loves coloring at the table, reading books on the bean bag and investigating all of the storage baskets trying to decide what the toy of the moment will be.  We do still play in the family room and the area between the kitchen and family room as well since it is nice for a change of scenery. 

Without further ado, here are some photos of the {almost completed} playroom:  

What remains on the to-do list:

• Hang wire to display Evelina's future art projects - I think I've decided to put this on hold. I have some other ideas for displaying her art work in other parts of the house. 
• Paint A and Z bookends so they pop a little - I'm thinking red or even lime green to stay within the color palette. 
• Purchase and hang mirror for future dress-up activities
• Bunting for the ceiling - a good winter project (get ready Mimi!!) 

Click HERE for source list. 

Heartwarming Moment :: Mimi

This past Saturday, Mimi, Poppy and Lilly came for a visit in the afternoon.  It was a windy, chilly, fall day here in New England.  Despite the wind and unexpected rain showers that arrived, Evelina still had the strong desire to go outside to blow bubbles.  She just LOVES bubbles.  I keep a wand on the table on the deck and she will frequently walk by the sliding glass door, see the wand and shout "BUBBLE", hoping we will go outside for some fun.  

So off we went with Mimi and Lilly.  We blew some bubbles and then walked around the front of the house to check out the pumpkins and mums on the doorstep.  Evelina spent a lot of time touching the pumpkins and trying to pick them up, smelling the mums, going up and down the stairs, playing with the little owl stones we use to decorate, walking along the stone walkway, smiling at Lilly and signing doggy.  We tried to get a cute photo of Mimi and Lina on the stairs but little miss thang isn't really interested in sitting still for photo opportunities these days (hence why the amount of pictures on this blog has diminished). 

Fast forward to Monday evening.  After dinner, we went to blow some bubbles and play with a ball outside .  As soon as we got to the front stairs, Lina sat down on the bottom step and said "Mimi".  The last time we had been in the same spot we were with Mimi, she remembered and was wondering where her Mimi was.  It was incredibly adorable.  She's been saying "Mimi" for a month or so now and I'm happy it was one of her first words.  

Evelina, Mimi and Lilly coloring after playing outside

Art Work

Evelina LOVES to eat crayons color!! She gets so excited at school when her teachers bring out the crayons.  When we are home hanging out in the playroom she will attempt to get onto one of her play table chairs (ultimately needing assistance) and point to the bin where she knows the crayons are stored.  

In between me telling her to take the crayon out of her mouth and put it on the paper, trying to prevent her from ripping the paper or throwing it on the floor, and/or scribbling on the table, window sill, or wall, she has made some very fun abstract art work.  

We've also attempted finger painting but I think more paint may have gone into her mouth than on the paper itself.  Either way, it was a fun way to create a homemade gift for her Grandpa and Mimi in honor of Grandparent's Day back in September (and one for Papa for his office at work).   

I'm excited for Chris to hang the curtain wire up on the wall above the cube bookcase so that we can showcase some of her first works.  In the meantime, I've framed one of her marker masterpieces and plan to rotate different creations in the frame every so often.   

  
PS:  Thank goodness crayons, markers and paint are non-toxic :-) 

Playroom Progress

The playroom is coming along, slowly but surely.  Now that my organizing fix has been satisfied, I can focus on the playroom again.  Free time is limited these days (thanks in part to summer and to our dismay a child who doesn't love long naps), but I would love to be finished with the basics in the next few weeks.  What remains on the list: 

• Frame and hang animal prints 
• Hang pinboard over desk  
• Purchase additional storage baskets 
• Organize storage baskets Montessori-style 
• Hang wire to display Evelina's future art projects
• Purchase and hang mirror...Evelina is in a vain phase and we can use it for future dress up activities

 Things that can wait for now: 

• The easel since she isn't really old enough to use it yet 
• Art supply organization
• Bunting for the ceiling 

1st Birthday Party Recap

Even though the weather Gods decided to change the weather forecast 24-hours prior to Evelina's 1st birthday party from party cloudy and 70s to rainy and 60s, we still had a lot of fun.  Evelina's empty playroom was the perfect space for her toys and the space kept all of the kids busy for hours.  Phew!!  

While we were planning Evelina's party, I was frequently asked if we would be having a 1st birthday party for Evelina. When I replied yes, everyone would roll their eyes and say, "She won't remember it anyway." This I know, but it was still a day to be celebrated...a celebration of life, a celebration of Chris and I surviving the first year of parenthood.  A life changing and amazing year!!  Something to truly be celebrated with the ones we love and those who helped us make it through.  Because, it really does take a village!!  

If you'd like to check out some pictures from Evelina's 1st birthday shindig, click here.  I regret not taking more photos but it was a busy day.  Thanks Charity and Auntie KK for taking over. 

Playroom Furniture, Art and More

Can you tell I am SOOO excited about really getting going on the playroom?  We sold our bookcases and rug thanks to good ole' Craig's List, got rid of our old PC (minus the hard drive) on Freecycle, had our Internet cable connection moved down into the basement to reduce clutter and the number of wires in the room, ordered a new area rug, desk and chair, and Yellow Lotus is scheduled to be applied on today!!  Yay!!  I LOVE progress!! Now if we only had an endless bank of funds to furnish the rest of the room.

In the meantime, I have been searching for furniture, art work, accessories, etc. to ultimately fill the room.  I decided to put some mood boards together to organize myself.  Here's what I like so far:  

I would also love to include a play kitchen in the room but I'm not sure where it would fit.  Evelina is still too young to use it anyways but it's still something to think about. 

Playroom Color Palette

This is the color palette I'm leaning toward for the playroom. I think the bright kid-friendly colors will really get Evelina's creative juices flowing. It isn't ultra girly either so hopefully any of her little "boy" friends that come over will be able to enjoy it too.  But, of course, I have to throw a little bit of purple into the mix.

Playroom Inspiration

Slowly but surely we have begun the process of transitioning our existing office space into a playroom for Evelina.  I've been on the lookout for inspiration but I've struggled a bit when compared to what I had envisioned for her nursery.  I think my biggest dilemma is that the playroom will be one of the first rooms you see when you enter through the front door. I don't want it to scream playroom, with girlie pinks and pastels everywhere.  While I want it to be a fun, creative, and functional space for her, I would also like it to be somewhat cohesive with the other rooms on the first floor.

After trying out a handful of different yellows (I love the little samples!!), we have decided to go with Benjamin Moore Yellow Lotus for the wall color.  It is actually a bit brighter and more yellow then the swatch, not as much gold. The room will be painted in the next couple of weeks...YAY!!  Chris is getting a free pass and we are hiring someone this time around :-)  Other then color selection, we haven't done much else with the exception of starting to clean the room out and searching for ideas and furniture.  

Yellow Lotus

Yellow Lotus looks very much like this room. I like the red accents, too. 

Via

I love this room.  The rug is to die for and the pennant banner is perfection.  I definitely want to snag the pennant canopy for a reading corner.

Via

This playroom is also appealing to me.  I love the Expedit bookcase from Ikea. They are so functional and I've seen them in so many rooms (including in the picture above).  We will definitely set up an easel for Evelina and I love the idea of displaying her artwork from a cable.  So easy to switch out old art for new art, and it will be a fun decorative element. 

Via

I've seen lots of indoor play tee pees throughout my inspiration search and can't get enough of 'em.  Since the room we are working with isn't huge, I don't think a tee pee will be an option, but I may just have to order one for fun backyard adventures.  

Can't remember where this picture came from

Again, if space permits, I would love to have a little dress up corner for Evelina. Love this one. 

Via

Our goal is to at least get the room painted and cleaned up before Evelina's "big" first birthday party so the room isn't an eyesore.  I know it would have been ideal for it to be completed BEFORE, to allow little attendees to use it, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.  After her party, we will start putting it together.  I'm excited to get started and see the transformation.