Almost-seven yo Atticus and almost-five yo Logan have a Thomas the Tank Engine bedroom. This is more than mildly laughable for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that neither boy has ever been truly infatuated with Thomas. I expected them to be when we moved in here, though; Atticus (age 2.5) was showing all the signs of being really into trains and Thomas. He watched the videos. He lugged his cheerful blue engine with him to the doctor's office. His favorite book had buttons to push that said things like "You're a really useful engine!" Logan, who was only 10 months old at the time, was just along for the caboose ride. So Thomas it was!
I worked hard on that room. The bottom half of the walls in their room are green, rolling hills topped with wallie stickers of the various Thomas engines and vehicles. The top half of the walls are blue sky dotted with puffy clouds. Their bedspreads are coordinating red and blue solids. And, of course, a huge train table takes up a big part of the floor area. When I unveiled the room to my boys, their eyes were wide in wonder. The work had paid off--they were more than wowed.
Over the years, the luster on this once too-cute-for-words set up has most certainly faded. The trains that used to have prime real estate on the table top have been boxed up for quite some time. A Playmobile castle now claims the honor, along with an assortment of plastic cowboys and indians. The back of the bedroom door has an Ichiro poster on it. You're more likely to find Atticus reading "Clabbernappers" than anything to do with trains. And, of course, the cheeky little train stickers look a little tired.
It's time (gulp) to move on.
I've known this was coming for the past year and a half. For a while, I toyed with doing another mural on the walls. Maybe a castle? Maybe space? In time, though, I realized that the amount of effort I'd expend was too great for the relatively small amount of time that the theme would hold their interest. Something relatively neutral, I decided. Something both boys are into. Something easily adapted.
With dh's expert consultation, we settled on a camping theme. We're a camping family, and the woods hold vast interest to my boys. They love wildlife, daddy's canoe and the idea of reeling in big fish. A little bit of contrasting paint in shades of tan and beige, and we're in business, right?
Thanks to my cousin, we're more than in business. Her no-longer-little boy recently outgrew his bear motifed room, and they passed on a huge collection of items. Blankets. Rugs. Lamps. The works. My boys, tired of Thomas and thrilled at having something that belonged to their beloved J., almost did backflips when they saw the booty.
So we're in the redecorating business here. This weekend I guess I'll go and look for that paint. My husband has a few signs he wants to order.
I've found a few other accessories, too. A fly rod. Lures. Maybe I can garage sale a paddle or two.
So it's time for a "big boy room" at the Books and Bairns household. Pray for me, o.k.?
Comments
Apr. 6, 2007 - growing up is sooo hard...on mom!!
Posted by urbanbutterfly
I'm right there with you...my baby turns 4 tomorrow!!!!Time just speeds by even faster than Thomas!!! Can't wait to see pictures of the completed room, I know the boys will love it!
Apr. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by barbieheart
Sounds wonderful! And so many accessories to fill up the room, too!
Apr. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Mydogfoxy
Wow, that was a great entry! I enjoyed reading it! =D
Visit my blog anytime!
Brianna
Feb. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I want a new theme for my almost 6 year old...and we want to do camping. Any chance you could send some pictures this way. Thanks, jenniferkindle@suddenlink.net
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