george's new room

My first priority when we arrived at the new house was to get George's room in order. I wanted to make it clear that his stuff was still his stuff, it was all here, and his comfort was important to us. So, while Nathan and his dad did the heavy lifting, I arranged toys and put away clothes and generally made his room as Georgeish as I could. It's been a work in progress, as kid rooms always are, but we seem to have reached a good spot and I think we'll let it stay like this for awhile. With his sister crawling, some of the growing pains we thought we'd dodged in the beginning are rearing their heads and it's important to me that he, at least for now, have a space that's safe, baby slobber free, and his. Somewhere down the road, they'll share a room -- maybe this room -- but for as long as Zelda's co-sleeping, this area is George's and his alone. 

I love this room. It's bright, like the rest of the house, and unintentionally very green. It's cheerful but not in that saccharine way that kids' stuff can be. At least, to me. 

It's full but not brimming. Lived-in, with a bed big enough for two, or three, or four. There's art on the walls and not even most of it was made for children. I like that.

That closet, man. It's a secret lair. Another whole person could sleep in there, but right now it holds Zelda's clothes and a someday-to-be nook for hiding out when your mom's annoying you. 

"Do you like your room?" I asked him this morning. "Do you want some tea?" he replied. "Some CHOCOLATE tea?" I'll take that as a yes.

hideout

Our house is small. It's cute, and I like it, and I don't even keep the space I have tidy, so I can't justifiably wish for more. But having a toddling baby doesn't always jibe with also having such a tiny home. We have a lot of stuff, some of which is valuable -- both sentimentally and otherwise -- and while I respect the methods of child rearing that dictate we must create an entirely child-friendly space, it's just not realistic for my family. Plus, I want my records out and accessible. I want George to grow up with a respect for the delicacy of certain things, looking forward to the special occasions when he is allowed to handle our treasures. After all, there are lots of no-touches in the world, for kids and adults alike. 

This is not to say that our house is one big barrister bookcase of Hummel figurines. Nevertheless, I still feel bad sometimes that George has such a limited play area. That, unless a door is shut, he can never escape my eyeshot. He needed a hideout: a cozy little retreat all his own for looking at books, for talking to his cow and baby about what a jerk mama is when she won't let him pick at the electrical outlet covers. I'd been looking at teepee instructions and tutorials online and in pattern books for awhile before I finally decided to just wing it. (This is by no means a tutorial, but if you're similarly inclined to fly by the seat of your pants, maybe this will give you an idea or two.)

I used:

• four 4-foot-long dowels
• some white twill that I already had
• some ikea fabric that I'd been saving for something special
• some hot pink suede cord leftover from moccasin making
• a scrap of yellow broadcloth.

I made pretty haphazard triangles that measured three feet on the bottom edge, just folded them in half and used a yard stick to cut a relatively straight diagonal line that would create a triangle when the fabric opened back up. The triangles are 3 and a half feet tall. 

For the dowel casings, I cut 3 inch wide strips the same length as the triangles' diagonal edge. As I sewed the triangles together at the long sides, I folded the casings in half (wrong sides together) and sandwiched them between the teepee side pieces. To make an opening, I cut the front piece in half lengthwise, then sewed partway down. I made some bias tape and bound the unfinished edges of the flap. For a little extra stability, I reinforced the top of the flap with a triangle of scrap fabric. I didn't want to get out the iron, so the triangle is uneven, but oh well. 

I looped a piece of suede cord around the tops of the dowels, and tied them up tight. I made the whole thing after George went to bed last night (in about 2.5 hours), so it was set up for him this morning. 

He was freaking STOKED. As soon as the next Joann circular comes in the mail, I'll get some shredded foam to make a big matching pillowy cushion to lounge on. 

For now, though, he's perfectly content crawling in, sitting for awhile, then crawling back out to check on Rody.