A room for playing

It's time to move the toys out of the living and give them their own space.  They can make some visits down the hall, but I am really hoping we can get a handle on some of this "toddler decor."

I would really like the playroom to not look a daycare classroom.  My goal is to make it look like a fun room that blends into the rest of our home.

The new playroom has been a lot of different rooms in our home since we moved in a few years ago.  It has been an empty room. It has been a formal living room (you know, the room no one lives in).  And it has been an office/studio, most recently.  But since doing a slight furniture shuffle and moving the twin bed from the guest room to the big girl room, it is time to move the studio {back} upstairs and give Lainey a place to hang.

The Playroom Checklist:

A chair for reading - check!
I am going to use the PBK glider from Lainey's nursery.  It's super comfy and has an ottoman so it's perfect for snuggling up in with a good book.

Some kind of shelf for baskets of toys and books - check!
Got a great deal on a PBK shelf second hand.  It even matches Lainey's bedroom furniture so she can use it if she ever gets a bigger bedroom some day too.

Everyone needs a table for craft and lunch dates - check!
Another great second-hand deal.

An art center - {almost} check!
I have an easel that I got on clearance at Michael's that needs to be put together and I will need to find some kind of cute boxes to put supplies in to set on the easel shelf.

Toys - {double} check!
Toys R Us called and they want some of their inventory back! It seems like every time we hand something down to Landon, another 3 toys show up!!  Part of setting up this playroom is going to be a purge of some toys that we don't use anymore.

Curtains - {maybe} check!
You would think after living in this house for as long as we have, there would be curtains hanging in every room.  Well, nay.... this is the only room without curtains.  Luckily, I think I have the perfect pair in my studio cabinet.

Play Kitchen - check! 
Thanks to Santa, we have this covered.  It's just gotta make its way out of my kitchen and into its new home! 

Books - {triple} check!
My girl loves to read so there is no shortage of books in our house... or in our car.... or even in my purse some times.  So, this is not a problem to fill a shelf!

{Not So Perfect} Disclaimer: This checklist makes it sound like a smooth plan, doesn't it? Like a playroom is just going to magically make its way into our home?  Well, I can assure you that is a fairytale.  Because in the midst of this project, the studio has to go somewhere.  Yes, it is making its way upstairs.  But with no desk or bookshelf upstairs yet, it's hard to get things moving! So, where did my studio contents go, you ask? {ok, maybe you didn't ask.} But they are filling my dining room right now! It's cool, we aren't dining in there any way, right?  Good thing there's a long weekend coming up and that Mother Nature may not bless us with the lounge-by-the-pool forecast I am wishing for... at least if it's cloudy and I am stuck rearranging rooms, I won't wish for the pool! 

What are the must-haves in your playrooms?  Or better yet, how do you tame the toys?!

Enjoying her new table!

xoxo,

Linda

A Week of Appreciation

This week, as many may know, is appreciation week for some of the most important people in our lives...

It is Teacher Appreciation Week.

It is Nurse Appreciation Week.

And it all ends with Mother's {Appreciation} Day on Sunday.

To Lainey's teachers,
You have no idea how much you all mean to our family. We entered the doors of Primrose with heavy hearts filled with doubt and worry.  Transitioning to preschool at that time was not in our "plan" but in true Preemie Princess fashion, we did it early.  Your kind hearts and caring souls have made this one of the best blessings in disguise that we could have ever asked for. 

Every day Lainey comes home telling me about her friends and singing songs to me about how "I'm so happy to see my friends" and she is growing up to be quite a smarty pants and a wonderful little girl. You, my friends, are a huge part of this.

I just want you to know how much this mom appreciates you and all you do for my little girl.

***

To the nurses who got us this far,
Our NICU angels you will always be. Those bedtime phone calls just so we could say goodnight to that tiny baby have now turned into facebook messages and texts to some of the most amazing women that I know.

In the past {almost} 2 years, we have become friends and are lucky enough to watch our children grow.  Chunky Peanut Butter and Jelly forever! 

Thank you for taking care of my sweet baby when she needed it the most.

***

To the nurses who are now taking care of Nana,
After spending much of Tuesday with my mother in law, I know from experience how important you ladies are in this journey. It warms my heart to know how much you care about your patient - I can see it when you get excited that something goes well for us and you race back to say "you passed!!"

Your smiles and laughs will always be welcomed and appreciated.

***

To my momma,
It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome being just like you.  You are smart and beautiful and full of life. I have said it a hundred times and I can say it a hundred more -- the greatest compliment is when someone tells me I am my mother's daughter.

You have no idea how much you mean to me and how much I appreciate you. You really are my best friend.  You have supported everything I have done in my life and have always helped me achieve my dreams.

You are the perfect NeeNee to Lainey and she is lucky to have you in her life.

I love you, Momma! {you better be saying "ditto" in your heard right now as you read this}

***

And a quick note to all of my other Moms,
There are several women that I call "mom."  They all have different last names and are the mom to someone else. But, nevertheless, they are very important to me too.

***

Make sure you take a minute to share your appreciation for the teachers, nurses, and moms in your lives!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

xoxo,
Linda

{not so} perfect photo accessories

I have been spending more time behind my camera and am finding a lot of comfort in it and am even getting some emails about wanting sessions! *sneak peaks to come soon*

So, let's switch it up a little bit... and maaaaaybe drop a {not so} subtle hint.

Currently my camera bag looks like this:

It is a wonderful and perfect bag. 

Not gonna lie - I love Timbuk2 bags.  They are durable and wonderful for long photo adventures. I have Timbuk2 bags that are at least 3-5 years old and they still look brand new.  But sometimes, Momma doesn't want to lug around a giant camera bag.

Sometimes, I just want a cute bag to carry on a shoot or at least a little bit smaller bag that I can take on an adventure with Boots in tow.

So, I have looked around online for a new bag.  Any of these would be wonderful Mother's Day gifts! Not like the husband reads this, though. So the hint won't get seen.

But some of you other photo-moms may enjoy!

I am really digging these Jo Totes

Gracie

 

 

 

Allison

Georgia

Betsy

Another similar brand is Kelli Moore and those are some gorgeous bags too!  A little pricy, but oh so pretty!!

I also have a love of pretty camera straps... my nephew got me one for my birthday that is all linen and lace with a rosette.  It's beyond gorgeous!  Maybe that will be another {not so perfect} photo accessory post in the future!

xoxo,
Linda