They live here, too!

If there is anything I have learned through observation, it is that happy kids live in homes that are theirs, too.  A home is important, and I have noticed that happy families spend a lot of time at home.  30 years from now, my kids won’t care if my house was spotless or that it looked like model home.  They will care that they had a happy place to live, where they felt wanted and important and able to play.

Don’t get me wrong, my house is generally clean and sanitary, but there are toys in every room.  A 5’ Little Tikes slide sits in our family room, along with the train set that is set up to go around the furniture.  There is a kid-sized rack on the wall in the foyer for their coats (right beside the wall covered with pretty princess stickers).  Our kitchen table is covered with a tacky plastic tablecloth, and is considered to be pretty by my kids’ standards.  There is a huge world map hanging on the breakfast nook wall, and I am proud to say that my 2-year-old can pick out places all over the world and can show you where a variety of animals live.  Our refrigerator is covered in artwork and magnetic letters. Dora’s friend Boots is on the wall above the stove, watching as we cook together.  The windows have seasonal window clings on them – even the ones in view from the street - HORRORS! 

One daughter’s room looks like a truckload of Pepto-Bismol exploded in it (the walls, bed, curtains, and linens are all pink), and it has about 30 of the wall-cling Dora stickers placed where she wanted them. Her artwork is hanging on the walls, and Dora cutouts are hanging from the ceiling.  It’s definitely her room.  She picked out the colors and the décor.   After all, a room should belong to the person who sleeps in it, right?  

Christmas has been the best season with regard to our home decor.  Our tree looks silly with all of the ornaments near the top or placed with five on a single branch.   Homemade ornaments add to the character.  The kids enjoy hanging each Christmas card as it is received on the line in the foyer with clothespins, a line that also includes their collection of fall leaves.  The kitchen is full of Christmas towels and pot holders, which look tacky to me, but beautiful to the children.  

Our home is comfortable, and our kids are comfortable in it.  It’s home for the whole family, and they know the things they enjoy are just as important as our things.  You can definitely tell kids live here from the moment you walk in the door.  Toys aren't restricted to a couple of areas of the house.  If people don’t like it, they don’t have to visit.  I wouldn’t trade this house for any of the lovely houses in Better Homes and Gardens.