In the midst of the toy messes created by three smallish children, I have created a play oasis. The labelled toy baskets I lovingly sort day after day inevitably end up crammed with random objects that have nothing to do with the labels: old kleenex, discarded socks, bread crusts...so I feel compelled to protect one area of my house from chaos.
On our living room coffee table (which is an old farm table with the legs sawed off), I have four containers. One is wire egg basket that holds our wood tree-blocks. The other three are fulled wool bowls made for me by a dear friend, containing: smooth river stones (purchased in a net bag at the local Dollar Store), rainbow blocks, and wooden farm animals.
. It is very clear what goes where, and the only rule is that what is on the table stays on the table.
Somehow, this order appeals to my very disorderly children. I like to think it gives them a sense of predictability and security, to know what goes where.
The natural textures of these play things draw the eyes and hands of children and adults alike. They invite us to touch, smell, build, stack, rub, tumble, imagine, play.
There's something kind of zen about it all. The moments when my children play here are always peaceful. And I'm grateful for those moments of peace.
One could even suggest that it gives us a sense of balance.
I am in love with those blocks. I want some! I really like the balance you have created!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are gorgeous. And I want blocks like those too! The textures of the bark are fabulous. I would be content to just gaze at them, lost in a delicious serenity. I too have such a protected area in my home. Well, maybe not protected, but at least reclaimed daily.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the idea of having a protected area that will definitely look lovely at the end of each day! Maybe I will try to introduce areas like this a few at a time.
ReplyDeleteYour space emits quality... draws the Littles creative tranquil facets to surface and bubble and be shared with those closest. Watered perhaps; trimmed and encouraged into maturity with indescribable love.
ReplyDeleteI remember sanding away those lovely blocks with you one Sunday afternoon! Such a labour of love for our little ones. They are a favorite around here too!
ReplyDeleteEvery home needs to have such a place! Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeletejust beautiful - I like this idea... our baskets seem to get too combined (everything thrown together).
ReplyDeleteI love the tutus and sparkles on the subjects of your photos. Their little hands! Sigh. That table is lovely and I think I would like one in my sunroom, even though my children are bigger. It would be an invitation to meditative activity...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely nook for play, indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely space for them to have. They are lucky to have that meditative space to go to when they need it.
ReplyDeleteJennifer@ Dark blue dragon
Such a wonderful place to play. We are the same here, the coffee table seems to be the place, doesn't matter if it is just our little man here or a group of friends to play, they always gather around the coffee table with their toys, which also happen to be treeblocks, rocks and wooden blocks :)
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