Playroom fun

Our "playroom" is actually an open area at the end of the hall, just before you get to the kids' rooms. It's rather hard to keep clean (duh...), and occasionally I just have to have a clean and purge session.

Today was that kind of day.

So, to remind myself that it can ACTUALLY look nice and organized... from time to time... I took these pictures.




And if you think it will look this way tomorrow, you're crazy! (but, a mom can always hope, right?)


Secondly, I'm sure that this is nothing new to many out there, but I had to share one of my kids' (and the neighbors') favorite toys... the treasure chest! My mom went to Hobby Lobby during one of their sales and bought a wonderful "pirate's chest," and then bought several bags of silver and gold buttons. I've added many things along the way as well (beads, old junk jewelry, etc). The result is simply irresistible for kids who love to be pirates... or dragons guarding secret treasure (like Smaug)... or whatever.

The beauty of it all is that a simple $3 bag of buttons can restock it nicely, and thrills the heck out of the kids!



**In case anyone is curious, Marie is not a "put stuff in her mouth" kind of toddler (and praise God for that, since we've got Bionicles and Legos all over the place around here!), so I don't have to be hyper-vigilant. Cautious, yes. Freaked out (like I would have been for Reilly or Kathryn), no.**