I'm not sure exactly what I think of the Theory of Evolution, but I am sure about evolution - it does occur every day, every where, in our ideas and desires, and in the spaces we inhabit. Sometimes multiple ideas mesh together, confirming the correct purpose/plan/path before us.
I have this room in my 8-year-new-to-us and very older-than-that-home. It is a small sun room off the living room. It has always been one of my favorite rooms in the house - it has two of my favorite "old house features" knotty pine and walls full of windows. A favorite room, even though I never knew what to do with it. It's one of those rooms with a good vibe and full of promise.
Long ago, in the Big Dude's maternal family history, it served as Uncle M's bedroom until the upstairs of our home was finished by Papa G and Gram. Then, until the grandparent's moved out it served as Papa G's "man cave".
Initially, before our addition, we used this room for Girl1 and Girl2's homework, crafts, and shared toys. It was the room we signed our Marriage License in (sigh, happy memory). It was a "daycare storage room" until I had to expand our collection to my husband's garage.
I have this room in my 8-year-new-to-us and very older-than-that-home. It is a small sun room off the living room. It has always been one of my favorite rooms in the house - it has two of my favorite "old house features" knotty pine and walls full of windows. A favorite room, even though I never knew what to do with it. It's one of those rooms with a good vibe and full of promise.
Long ago, in the Big Dude's maternal family history, it served as Uncle M's bedroom until the upstairs of our home was finished by Papa G and Gram. Then, until the grandparent's moved out it served as Papa G's "man cave".
Initially, before our addition, we used this room for Girl1 and Girl2's homework, crafts, and shared toys. It was the room we signed our Marriage License in (sigh, happy memory). It was a "daycare storage room" until I had to expand our collection to my husband's garage.
Just a couple of weeks ago, it was transformed back into a real sun room for the outdoor plants we are trying to "recycle" for next year. I was considering bringing in my small bistro table for an early morning coffee and reading spot - a "mom cave" so to speak. But somehow, the "mom cave" idea wasn't sitting very well, it seemed a bit selfish as I already have a similar "mom cave" space upstairs with another evolving plan in progress.
About the only other purpose for the room that "felt right" was to turn it back into a kid's space for quiet play and/or a Children's Library (our books take up a lot of space). I was going to do the annual move of the bookshelves anyway, to make way for the Christmas Tree. An special challenge this year after the addition of our new Diaper Changing Area. If I were to make this into a space for the kids with books, I knew that different shelving for the books and window treatments will be required (to keep the books out of direct light). We have many books that were bleached the last time they were out there.
Here is the "Meshing of Plans Part":
Hopefully, we will be getting a New Front Porch in the Spring. We don't spend a ton of time out front (no fence) but often when weather is exceptional and I am am down to my last kid of the day, we head out there for the final minutes of the day. Kids love to watch the butterflies, occasional humming birds, and the koi. They like watching the cars go past, and neighbors out walking their dogs after work, and they especially LOVE to greet their Mommy or Daddy "curbside". Excitement mounts as they recognize THEIR car, see their parent emerge all full of smiles, and then rush to greet them in the middle of the yard. This method of reuniting at the end of the day is such a wonderful experience I've been looking for a way to incorporate it into our schedule whenever/however possible.
With the addition of a larger porch (and more security for the kids) when weather permits, I thought it would be fun for us to spend final 20 minutes of our day out front reading stories and sipping juice. Kind of an idyllic vision of how to end my work day, and and opportunity for everyone to enjoy those awesome front yard parent/child reunions at the end of the day. And the inside Library Area? What an awesome back-up plan "weather not-permitting" to the "front porch end of the day" approach.
Here is the "Meshing of Plans Part":
Hopefully, we will be getting a New Front Porch in the Spring. We don't spend a ton of time out front (no fence) but often when weather is exceptional and I am am down to my last kid of the day, we head out there for the final minutes of the day. Kids love to watch the butterflies, occasional humming birds, and the koi. They like watching the cars go past, and neighbors out walking their dogs after work, and they especially LOVE to greet their Mommy or Daddy "curbside". Excitement mounts as they recognize THEIR car, see their parent emerge all full of smiles, and then rush to greet them in the middle of the yard. This method of reuniting at the end of the day is such a wonderful experience I've been looking for a way to incorporate it into our schedule whenever/however possible.
With the addition of a larger porch (and more security for the kids) when weather permits, I thought it would be fun for us to spend final 20 minutes of our day out front reading stories and sipping juice. Kind of an idyllic vision of how to end my work day, and and opportunity for everyone to enjoy those awesome front yard parent/child reunions at the end of the day. And the inside Library Area? What an awesome back-up plan "weather not-permitting" to the "front porch end of the day" approach.
Also inspired by trying to come up with ways to deal with the impending Cabin Fever that will soon be hitting us when the bitter winter hits and cuts back our outside time - and by my desire to expand my "Open Door Policy" for my parents by adding a Daycare Web cam (if you know me and "computers and other technical stuff" you can imagine the drain on my brain with this idea). Well, I think some stuff has meshed, and FINAL INSPIRATION has occurred.
I have finally found what seems the perfect purpose for one of my favorite rooms and one of my favorite times with the kids!!! I'm moving the books and all our Circle Stuff out there. Window treatments, shelving, a nice rug with extra cushy padding, some big floor pillows, something to play our music on, maybe a few "ABC and 123" wall decorations above the windows, incorporate some plants (and what an awesome place for our vegetable garden seedlings too) and "TA-DA" (hands up in the air) there you have it - an awesome new daycare area - a CIRCLE ROOM.
So I already have the shelving worked out - watch Big Dude's back and Patience Level, he doesn't see this one coming tomorrow. Then it is on to the curtains and shades. We will be in a bit of flux for a while, but I think this is a project that can be done - or at least "Circle Ready" - by the end of year.
Special note for Big Dude: "No Red Lobster Required" for my Birthday this year, AND you can consider the extra effort (and expense) my Christmas present too. I love you, Honey Bean.
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