I’ve been meaning to blog about this FAB article from Southern Living (the special Christmas issue), but this blog did such a great job I will let y’all just jump over there and read and enjoy the eye candy! So many things I love about this picture..the color, the ribbon, the linen sofa, the little boy in his jammies! My favorite thing is that huge lumbar pillow..wonderful.  (and the drapes and shades and and..ok i like it all!)

{Photos from Southern Living}

The point is, this is a great illustration of living with kids, something I keep meaning to blog about (wait, I think maybe that is ALL I do blog about). Anyway, what better time than Christmas to share more from our “playroom” which is also my 5 year old’s bedroom! Because as cute as the above article is with its bright colors, floor cushions for the kids and other kid-friendly elements, we all know those glass jars are really just not all that practical on the coffee table. Ha!  You think Mr. Cutie is grinning because he is about to kick the fab glassware off of his train table!

Well, here is my Mr. Cutie #1, and welcome to our playroom.  Oh and BTW,  this is the room just inside our front door (that is why I call it the “playroom” instead of his bedroom..ha! trying to make myself feel better about NOT HAVING A DINING ROOM..remember we moved him here when I was expecting Henry because they are too little to “live upstairs” and Henry gets the nursery)..ok so this is the room with the cool gate, WELCOME!

{Photo by Lis Purdy, photos below by yours truly}

Notice below he’s used his own little DIY ”skills” for making the basic IKEA children’s table you know, more unique and his own! We like to personalize things around here..ahem. This tree has been drug all over the house. In fact, I know many of you have darling, nicely decorated trees in your children’s room and I think that is great.  For us, these little trees are more like toys, “hands on Christmas activities”… in fact, last night I saw the red bead garland helping tow some tractors and trailers.

Below is tree #2 in his room, it has the classic “train around the tree” look. It also appears there may be a Christmas tree “battle” going on with the little people and the soldiers.  And yes, that dresser is painted with chalkboard paint.  It is a tad messy but helps if you use the chalk markers that have to be wet wiped to remove.

The only “hands off” area in this room is the top of the armoire and paper chain hanging  across the top. I just told him the trees and chains on the ”closet”  were hands off BUT that it is ok to play with his two little trees and “decorations” on his table and dresser..and he has been satisfied, hasn’t asked for those bottle brush trees once which has sort of surprised me I must admit. (they came from Big Lots a few years back)

We made the chains two years ago I think..ok I made them but he made the chains on the tree (like you couldn’t tell)!  Also notice we have lots of stuff but I stay sane by buying cute toys, lots of wooden stuff and I purge often.  I am strange maybe but cool wood blocks all over the place just dont stress me out like happy meal toys everywhere. 

His bed has chalkboard paint too… i am looking for large casters to set it on still.

I hung a vintage faux candy garland over the bed, I think this came from the local charity shop.  Wouldn’t it be cute to write words from the “Night before Christmas” on the headboard and side?!  I’ll just add that to my ”to do”  list..ha!