For the seventeen years I was a student and the seven years I was a teacher, I loved this time of year. Last year was the first time since I was four years old that I didn't go back to school. My big preggo belly and I still browsed the school supply aisle, but since Carson was born on the first day of school, I didn't have too much time to miss it. I was busy getting to know my precious miracle and learning how to be his mama.
Back to school is always full of excitement, new beginnings, and new relationships. Teachers anticipate getting their class list while children anxiously wait to find out who their teacher will be. The pointy new pencils are excited to gradually transition from an awkward fist to a graceful home between the thumb and fingers as their owners become increasingly comfortable with them and learn to form the letters that represent sounds, then combine them to form full words, which they'll then put together to form complete sentences, paragraphs, and eventually even complete stories. The full boxes of sharp crayons are eager to dance between chubby fingers as children draw pictures to represent their hopes, dreams, and fears. It's a special time for all involved.
I don't have a classroom to prepare this year, but as my baby becomes a boy, I'm having lots of fun preparing space, materials, and opportunities for him to play and learn. The previous owners of our home converted the garage into an extra living space. We've enjoyed the space; it houses our treadmill, games, and a few other odds and ends, but since we first moved in and long before I was pregnant, I've been mentally transforming it into a playroom:) I don't typically spend much time or energy on decorating, but play spaces are different! I enjoy walking up and down the hallways at schools and churches and seeing all of the different ways teachers create environments that promote security and learning. I have fun browsing the internet for various play and learning spaces. Providing pleasant space for children to play, discover, explore, and learn is one of my very favorite things.
We used baby shower gift cards to get the toy cubby shelf, deciding it was a more organized option than a traditional toy chest. My parents gave us the glider and Keith's parents gave us the couch with hide-a-bed. Using Christmas money, and after much searching, I found just the right fun and colorful rug so Carson would have a soft place to play. For the past several months, the toy shelf has been on the wall on the left side of this photo with the couch across from it on the opposite wall and the rug between the two, but as Carson became mobile, his favorite place to go was straight through the room, past the soft colorful rug, past the blocks, books, and puzzles, straight to the treadmill and toolbox. These, of course, were not safe play options for my wee one, and spending time in the playroom became more about me saying no than about Carson playing, discovering, exploring, and learning. So, one day a few weeks ago, I had a idea! Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?! I moved the couch and the toys to create a wall blocking the alluring treadmill and tempting toolbox. Sure they're still back there, and he's tried to maneuver his way back toward them once or twice, but they don't dominate his attention the way they once did. Instead, his focus lands on his legos, tractor, or xylophone. It's amazing how a simple furniture shift can change the dynamic of a room and the experience of the people in the room.
During our recent trip to California, I spotted these fun alphabet cards, and my sweet husband sneakily added them to his Amazon cart and surprised me with them. When my mom was here a couple months ago, she helped me hang them. Then last weekend, Keith mounted these gutter book cases so that Carson can select a book by looking at covers, rather than spines. He can easily reach the bottom gutter and I can change them out every week or so. The top one is out of his reach, but is a fun way to display some of his books and stuffed characters, and of course, they too are easy to change out from time to time.
Creating an organized space for my sweet boy to play, discover, explore, and learn is one way I've made my life lovely:) If you've never read Heather's blog, check it out! Her story will touch your heart, and her sweet spirit and desire to make life lovely and enjoy the blessings of each day are a rare treat. 
