Place in Life

 I often think about how seemingly small and silly things really signify the place we are in life.  The odd choice of an outfit for school pictures or the mispronunciation of a word that slowly fades away.  All represent the place in life at that exact moment and if you were to correct the pronunciation or change the choice of outfit, it could ruin the joy in that moment.

Recently, I helped each of the kids clean out their bedrooms, put up decorations they have been meaning to display and organize their prized possessions.  It inspired me to take pictures of these (rarely seen) clean rooms to truly show off their place in life.

Erin's room has lots of light from the two windows, but because of those windows, the layout in her room is difficult.  I think this set up is working well and eventually we may loft her bed to allow for more space.  

Erin struggled to say goodbye to any decorative item, so we just found a place for them all!  The green hanging thing in the corner is a frog I've had I think since college that made its way to her bedroom.  The dreamscicle rainbow on her high shelf was also mine from when I was in high school.  The wooden train was made by my grandfather and represents each generation of the family.  Erin is loving bunnies, rocks and dream catchers currently.  She has her martial arts medals hanging, various unicorns from her 5th birthday and her pink flamingo from her 6th birthday on display.   

Her belts from Defence Lab are the white, orange and yellow circle on the wall - it will continue to grow as she advances in ranks.  The lava lamp was gifted for Christmas from GG and it is very cool.  The letterboard was a gift from Mimi and lights up - usually acting as Erin's nightlight.  The blue box with the man's face was Erin's valentine's box and behind that is a very elaborate specialty rock display.

Erin hung up the finger knitting she did with Julia over Christmas as window decor and has also been tacking up sweet letters her sisters write to her and slip under her door.  They exchange notes with each other and it is every bit as adorable as it seems.  Her favorite stuffed animals and blankets are on the bed - most noteable are Neptune (the big bunny), BB (the bear laying down - it was mine as a kid), and then a random collection of beanie boos that rotate through her bed.

We've moved all the books to the office and created a library area.  She has a few books in her room that she is waiting to read and then has journals she will write in occasionally.  The box on the bottom shelf holds her fidget toy collection.  I love her room.  It is small, but cozy, bright and soothing.  

Lia's room is probably the largest and has the most flexibility for furniture.  She also has the most furniture at the moment.  The large chest is mostly empty...  lol.  

Lia's room (and herself probably) is in a state of transition.  She still has things from her baby room up (butterflies on the wall, fingerpaint name, planter from when I was a baby), but is slowly leaning toward more big kid stuff (the art work on the wall, the LOVE sign, her personal art, etc).  I personally love seeing this shift happen.  I'm excited about seeing her continue to develop her own personal style and interests.  Some of you may remember that big bear sitting in front of her window from her monthly pictures as a baby!

Halle got Lia the hanging purple curtain for Christmas and Lia loves it!  It makes her bed feel so fancy.  She also is loving dreamcatchers at the moment and has several displayed in her room.  She has a TON of butterflies because that is something I've always attributed to her ever since she was little.  Her bulletin board above her bed has lots of artwork and notes given to her by friends at school.  She also hung up her flower headpiece from the father/daughter dance.  

Her "Lillia" name sign Elizabeth made before she was born is still up proudly on the wall.  She got some awesome neon signs from GG for Christmas that have been great fun.  Her baby footprint butterfly is still on the wall alongside her name heart from Girl Scouts.  She still sleeps with her favorite blanket from when she was tiny and has a new found love for her hamster "warmie" I got her this Christmas.  You heat them in the microwave and everyone who is anyone knows that Lia HATES to be cold.

Lia especially loves audio books so she has a bunch of those in cases and lined up on the shelf to use with her CD player.  She has two drawers of fun toys and fidgets she trades with friends at school.

So much fun stuff on this wall!!  The ballet shoes and swan on the wall are from Camp GG Pop Pop's of the past few years.  The "dream big little mermaid" and the mermaid figurines are from her 6th birthday.  She has her jewelry box, cash box and a shelf of "treasures from her travels" of souvenirs from places we've visited.  The "And then there were 3" was hung in her nursery - Todd and I bought that in New Orleans when I was newly pregnant.  

Lia's room is full of energy, usually messy (!), and probably has the most carpet stains due to hidden art projects or beauty salon attempts...  place in life, right??? 

Halle's room has probably changed the most since we moved in.  The colors and furniture are mostly the same, but she is much more open to shifts and changes.  She will take things down and set them aside for awhile and then put them back up to enjoy at a later time.  Above her bed is a music art piece with Twinkle Twinkle which was the theme of their 1st birthday.  She still has her baby crib mobile hanging from the ceiling and has decided that Forky deserved a place of honor in her room.  The pink drawing poster was a Christmas gift from Todd and I.  

We recently removed Halle's tall dresser from her room to allow for some more space and it was the RIGHT choice.  It was falling apart and was mostly empty anyway.  Her Defence Lab belts are on display along with a new shelf with space to hang and display things.  Halle enjoys playing with her baby dolls and has moved their room into her room.  Just out of view in the corner is the hanging chair she got from Santa one year.  

Halle could not part with the monthly baby picture frame, so that is on display here along with her big H from her nursery.  The seahorse is from her 6th birthday and the unicorn is from her 5th.  The crown the bird is wearing was Halle's Glinda the Good Witch crown from Halloween.  

Halle loves that picture of Sydney and always makes sure she has it up.  She also has dancing lights that move to music and make her room look like a roller rink.  The peacock feather was a fun find from the zoo!  

Halle's room is the one that reminds me the most of the Desert Willow house because it is the only room that stayed similar in theme to her room there.  Her room is quiet, peaceful and probably the place I'd choose to sleep.  :)

I love how much each of their rooms really reflect who they are currently and who they are becoming as people.  Doing this project with them revealed to me what things they find important enough to display and how it may be what I expected or they may surprise me.  It was brutal cleaning out three bedrooms, but totally worth it.  

Now, if they would just stay this clean...  

lol

I know that won't ever happen.