J's Playroom

Back in the apartment, J's play space was also our dining room.  Often, the play space spilled into every other room of the house (except the kitchen) so we were constantly negotiating a minefield of toys.  While I loved playing with J and creating and exploring with him, not being able to see my floor was a definite downside.

One of my "must-haves" when we were looking for a new place was 3 bedrooms.  We're applying to be foster parents and, if we foster a little girl, she and J cannot share a bedroom.  So, we needed a spare bedroom for our not-too-distant-future foster daughter.

But, while our application is being processed and we wait for the home study etc., the "spare bedroom" is J's playroom!

And it is pretty bomb (do people even say that anymore or am I just old?).

His table and chairs, art display line, rug and toy organizer are all from IKEA (thanks Mema and Bepa, Papa W and Grammy!).  The curtains, drawers and shelves are from Target.  His little chair is from Pottery Barn Kids (thanks Mema and Bepa!).  Toys, books, puzzles, etc. are all from yard sales, hand-me-downs or gifts.  The artwork that will be going up (as soon as I can replace some broken glass - right now it's all currently stacked on top of the IKEA toy organizer) is all from his old bedroom.  I'm also going to be putting up some vinyl above the art display line.

J loves having his own space with all his toys.  He loves that he can reach everything he wants to play with - books, blocks, finger painting, whatever!  He also loves when friends come to play and they can all chill in the playroom together.  From the first moment he's awake in the morning until he goes to bed at night, he wants to be in his playroom.

I love that I can shut the door on this room and the mess disappears - seriously, I do not stress about cleaning up this room every night the way I did in the apartment (it's only clean because I was taking pictures)!  I also love that J can play in there for hours (literally hours) happily.  I love that the space is open so he can create and explore without running into a couch or kitchen.  Watching his face light up as he plays is so fun!  When it comes to this room, I love that I can say "yes" to just about anything he wants to do.

And, while I know this room is temporary, it's pretty awesome while we've got it!