"I'm a big girl now!"

New Year greeted us with the dilemma many American families experience during the weeks after Christmas. "Where are we going to put all of this new stuff?" We actually bought one another a hutch for our desk for Christmas for this very reason. We also converted the front room into basically a playroom to minimize the toys lying around all over the house (it has helped a little). But the biggest change of the New Year is that our girl moved to a new big girl room! We had intended on painting the large guest bedroom last summer, but you know how that goes...six months later, we have finally successfully completed her room! We have bought items over the past year for this room and were able to use many decorations from Sarah's old room so, it was very inexpensive to create. I even used our old comforter from our newlywed days as her bedspread (Chris is mortified that he was at one time expected to sleep under wild flowers). We told Sarah of our intentions, but then whisked her away to the grandparents for the bulk of the painting. We knew what would happen when she tried to "help". But being the good Daddy he is, Chris left her a small spot behind the door to finish off the room. We thought this might help the transition into the room by giving her some ownership. Below is the result.

Sarah was thrilled to help her Daddy with the painting. She even did a pretty good job!

Below is the finished product.

The book/toy shelf is probably her favorite part of the room. She loves books more than any toy in the house. She not only "reads" but she builds bridges with them all over the floor! I was happy to move her to a bigger room where more of her items could fit in one place. Now if I can only convince her to clean up after her bridge creating!

My old furniture from childhood is still in the room. We were planning to move Sarah's furniture in when she was ready to move over. We expected this to take a little time to warm up to the idea of leaving the only room she ever knew. We were shocked when she immediately asked to sleep in the new room!


As you can see, there is a full bed in this room. The first night, she only managed to stay alone for 10 minutes before announcing, "I think I am too little for this bed". Then she walked back to her toddler bed and slept safe and sound. The next night she walked right into the new room and slept like a baby all through the night! She has been there ever since.

Notice the ugly blue chair? It is the most comfortable chair in the house! We cannot bear to part with it. I guess it will have to move elsewhere now that the room is pink and green. I remember so many late nights rocking Sarah to sleep in this chair....Memories....

One of the great draws of the room is the lighting. We went to Ikea in Cincinnati and found these cute decorative lights shaped like flowers and ladybugs.

At night, they let off just enough light to read. She likes to leave them on for the "settling in" ritual every night.

All that's left is moving some furniture and buying some curtains. This was one easy transition that was such a pleasant surprise! She is so excited to tell her teacher, friends and family about her big girl room with all of the butterflies and flowers.

She is such a big girl now!