Remember all those candles from yesterday. I pulled some out and, for about 10 minutes, they looked like this in my dining room. Pretty, right?
I think my boys like when I start moving things around. In their eyes, any new display is just a new playground for Star Wars guys. I’m ok with that.
Sometimes they put things back the way they found them. Sometimes they sprout wings and fly. (I was still fooling around with the display when Luke and Vader arrived.)
I’m not, by nature, one of those super layed-back moms. My instinct is to say things like “stop! put that back! clean it up! don’t mess with that!” I have to work on being relaxed (that sounds funny doesn’t it?) But it’s worth it because I like to think that they’ll remember Epic Battles in The Forest of Tall Candles.
They definitely won’t remember that mommy had the prettiest candle display on the block.
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Looks just like my house!!!!!!!!
Mine too! And, it looks like General Grievous was defeated so it was a success!
Tracey´s last blog ..Happy Holidays!
I’m not joking when I say that I have those exact same “battles” on my counter right now. A Bionicle is dangling from my urn, and he is about to overtake the Republic at any moment. Too funny!
Chris´s last blog ..Make Life Easier
I’m another one that has to work at being relaxed! Funny you posted this today…my post is about a time recently when I decidedly did not relax in response to my kids.
Love it! Same thing happens here, and I don’t mind a bit
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe´s last blog ..Presenting Phlegmatic
Hilarious! I love the way kids see things completely the opposite of how we see them. Good for you for keeping a sense of perspective!
Mrs. Jen B´s last blog ..The Situation
this is GRAND!
Thanks for sharing!
Megan´s last blog ..Rock with me ….. advice needed!
I have to remember that, too, about being relaxed and just letting my kids be kids! Good to know we are not alone in the daily struggles we face!
Vanessa´s last blog ..Untitled
I needed to hear this today more than ever. I struggle with balance of being a relaxed mom too.
Michelle´s last blog ..Excited.
Hysterical! Actually the Star War figures kind of match the color palette!
Janell
I feel your pain!! But…somehow I feel like I am going to severely miss the toys found here and there one day when they are grown and gone. Sigh!
You know, I love it when I see Star Wars invaded pics. I have girls. Quiet, calm, very good girls. The only thing I have strewn from kids is hair do-dads, books and an occassional purse. It’s kinda sad. Trust me, when they grow up, you will miss the Star Wars, too.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Transformation Thursday: ticket to Paris
That came out wrong. My girls are quiet and all, but not like Mary Ingalls or anything. They bicker a lot. Just most of the time they have their noses stuck in a book somewhere.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Transformation Thursday: ticket to Paris
LOL!!! I love it! I swear I have a Superman decal on my fridge, and find “bendy guys” (action figures) in the strangest places.
Sheri´s last blog ..wonky owl tutorial
Looks like my house LOL. My son received two Bionicles for Christmas and they are now perched on the television staring back at everyone
Looks like home to me! We’ve got those same guys hanging out here-not in the candles though. Last time I caught them they were staking out the kitchen table. I’m pretty sure it’s like Toy Story around here at night!
Gina´s last blog ..Perceiving Time
Glad to see other moms have the same issues. When will I learn to just let it go and re-adjust AFTER the 5 yr old boy goes to bed?!?!?
Thanks for the smile today
Heather B.
Hilarious! I come from a family of ALL girls, so it’s great to hear stories like this one
Your candle display did look great!
Danielle @ Life on Dahlia Lane´s last blog ..Martha Stewart’s Snickerdoodles
Hahahahahahah….
that’s the right attitude!
I am oh so familiar with finding Hot Wheels, Dinosaurs and many other toys in various degrees of decorating! Too cute!
Amanda´s last blog ..Wishful Wednesday
I love it! Well done on both the display and the “relaxing” The most striking thing about all this for me is that children’s imaginations are amazing things, and they can turn even the most mundane thing into an amazing adventure!
Nichol (faedemere)´s last blog ..Wordless (almost) Wednesday–Jan. 20th 2010–Lilybug’s New Friend
I missed your post yesterday….but I have a candle fetish too! LOL!!
I need to relax too…when my kids are messing up my pretty stuff. LOL!!!
My son has commandeered the coffee table right now with his legos.
Blessings to you!
The Candle Keeper´s last blog ..Made more…bought more…LOL!!!
I am the same way. I have to remember that it’s there house as well and I want to create fun memories for my boys, not ones of their mom being a neat freak and yelling at them for playing in their own house. It’s always a challenge and a balance.
Miss Mustard Seed´s last blog ..Choices Will Be Made
Seriously. I could’ve written this post. Even have that same little clock in my bedroom! I am not relaxed by nature either; it’s something that I constantly have to work on. I am surrounded on a daily basis with G. I. Joe men. Hanging off every available surface!
Epic battles are most definitely more memorable. Good for you. This year a Lego Ben 10 alien attacked our Christmas village. What can you do?
Of course, you may occasionally get some surprises. Like the time I had a dinner party for a famous author who was visiting us. I glanced up from my hostess chair to the dining room chandelier, and there hung a courageous Stikfas warrior.
You know what? I have no memory of my centerpiece for that dinner. So maybe your boys aren’t the only ones who will remember the Epic Candle Forest Battle.
My husband taught me a long time ago to do a lot of things that are out of my comfort zone because the children are making memories. I think that’s one of my most important life lessons. You probably do have the prettiest candle battle ground on the block though.
duchess´s last blog ..A Quick Trip
The Epic Battle in the Forest of Tall Candles is definitely one worth fighting.
So totally cute.
laura @ the shorehouse´s last blog ..One and done: Bathroom vanity found. Maybe?
That’s hilarious! I have little “scenes” like that all over my house too. I’m definitely going to start taking pictures of those. Great idea!
After putting away Christmas I also decided that I have to put away all of those silk flowers (yes, I’m a bit behind on all fashion trends, at least I’m not wearing my leg warmers and hair scrunchies anymore).
My dining room chest looks naked now but I have a TON of candles in the crawl space! Thanks for the inspiration!
Warmest Regards,
Denise Burks
http://www.successinthesuburbs.blogspot.com
Love it!!!
I find Lego creatures all over the place.
Melissa´s last blog ..Samantha’s 11th Birthday
Great attitude! Now that my son is 14, I look back on the many battles of teeny tiny characters and smile. And as my mother always says, “at the end days of my life, I doubt that I will say ‘I wish I’d spent more time cleaning my house!’”
Oh, honey, I know what you mean. I have recently started listening to my own self when I’m telling Kiddo to clean up something, or not play somewhere…and I think…”Why not?” There have been times when he has brought all his Hot Wheels tracks and ramps and cars and what all into the living room to create his masterpiece maze of a track, and it’s all I can do not to tell him to take it back to his room…but then, where does he have that he can be creative? I would hate it if someone stifled my creativity because they didn’t want me to make a mess! I’d NEVER get anything done!
Heathahlee´s last blog ..A Hero Once More….My Husband Rocks!
General Grievous on top of the cage cracks me up. What a neat place for a lightsaber fight!
Aw, my son used to do that. It was a constant mix of legos and happy meal toys everywhere. I promise you’ll look back at those photos in 5-10 years and miss those Star Wars guys.
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottage´s last blog ..De-Brassifying a Fireplace Surround
When I start moving things around, my youngest joins in. He adds the strangest elements to my vignettes. I let them sit for awhile … a few days … then I move them. My boys have taken over so much of the house with their toys, that I don’t feel bad about telling them (nicely, of course) to quit messin’ with my decoratin’! They can’t have it all. I’m teaching them to lay off and let the wife do her thing.
Get Your Martha On´s last blog ..Liberace / Papier Mache Glitter Bunny with Egg Basket
Ok, this is hilarious! Our son does the same thing (esp. with Lego people). The most recent time was when he helped me to “decorate” one of my Christmas displays. I had to just bite my tongue and let him; it made him SO happy!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman´s last blog ..How to Get Organized the Easy Way
I think it looks GORGEOUS with the star wars men!! Looks just like what happens at my house. Matthew tries to hang stuff on the walls….sigh….
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Christmas Clearance Transforms to Fabulous!
So cute. I have a son too and he use to do the same thing. Boys and their toys. They just get older and the toys get more expensive!
Melanie´s last blog ..Fresh Orange Italian Cream Cake
I TOTALLY hear you! I have the cutest white bird cage that I am constantly finding throughout the house with my boys’ action figures in. I guess someday when they are away at college, I will have a magazine looking house! Until then, I have to just take a deep breath and enjoy the ride!
Hmmm this looks like my house…LOL
Love the display, and I’m sure the kiddos had so much fun!
You could tie Luke to a candle with some twine to accessorize.
It’s Fisher Price Loving Family people at our house…they rule the roost.
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Thrifty Thursday: It’s Chic to Be Cheap {28}
You’re so smart to figure this out while your kids are young! I spent too many years being the “not so relaxed” type of mom and I regret it. I’m making up for lost time now though!
Linda´s last blog ..Thrifty Thursday
I, too, have to work hard at being more relaxed and laid back about all the “decorations” the children strew about. LOVE your candle display!
Sturgmom´s last blog ..Egg-Free baking, I will beat you yet!
So funny! It looks just like a scene ripped out of my home. And I’m not one of those super laid-back moms either…which is probably why God gave me children. : )
looks like my house, one day I know I will miss all the action figures scattered around the house
Kristen of La Dolce Vita´s last blog ..Going stir crazy….
Ok, Yeah…my kid does this too. Currently, we have a mini flashlight taped to the front of our entertainment center to “simulate the moon” shining down on a nice little scene of various legos, dinosaurs and action figures. Cool.
Now what I really wanted to address is the name of this post. Decorating With Children. I had visions of you hanging a thrift store-spray painted-lightly distressed picture frame around one of your kid’s necks then draping them artfully in burlap. Perhaps you set the child on a cute tray on your coffee table and then added a stack of books and maybe a small flower arrangement. I could go on and on but I’m pretty sure you get the picture. heehee! Thanks for the giggle!
This is SO my life! And be sure to add Lego guys-I am forever finding heads of little Lego Starwars guys all over the house…!!!
YES! The heads! The disembodied heads are everywhere!
I wish I had learned that sooner… I am finally approaching “laid back” and my girlies are almost grown… I miss the Barbies and doll shoes and stuffed toys now that they are long packed away…
rebecca d´s last blog ..Stand-off at the McD Corral….
testing, testing, 1,2,3…
well, hellooooooo there gravatar!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe´s last blog ..Presenting Phlegmatic
YES! There you are!!!
LOL! Well, at least they have good taste in characters! Star Wars is the BEST!
Love this! I like the little random toys that I find around my house – proof that a little boy lives here, is playing, and is loving life. I do admit, though, that sometimes I have to work on not being frustrated with it. Someday I’ll be walking around my house and there won’t be any toys because my little boy will be grown up and gone. For now, I’m going to enjoy the toys, and smile when I see them.
Rachel´s last blog ..Catching Up – Coming Home
Hi Kimba, great post. Please come to my all new blog linking party starting on Sunday, I’d be honored to have you! The guests are coming gotta go clean the blog! http://www.creativejewishmom.com
creative jewish mom´s last blog ..Delicious And Simple Pumpkin Soup!
Awww yes,, every year our Christmas village is protected by Army men with guns on the roof tops. Kids…couldn’t live without them.
Loved this post, and it’s so true.
Traci´s last blog ..Two boys, one festival, and a grand time!
I’m with you! It’s perfect! As a mom of five…four of them boys…just enjoy the journey.
Julia Stainton´s last blog ..color my world
One day, when your house is perfect {and quiet} you’ll be missing those little figurines.
I keep telling myself that
New Every Morning´s last blog ..Not a Debate
Kids are always ‘helping’ with decorating. My daughter leaves things around and I just get so use to it, I leave them ther and believe it is part of the decor. Believing is half the battle
Paula Grace ~
Paula Grace´s last blog ..Fun Friday ~ Jeff Dunham
Ha ha ha… looks like it did in my house when Spidey invaded my Kokeshi doll collection
Sallie´s last blog ..Doers, or Talkers Only?
that is too funny!
Oh, this is SO my boys and my house! Nice to know I’m not the only one who entertains Jedi Masters.
Kelleigh @ Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs´s last blog ..I’m a running machine!
Hi!
I just landed here (softly) from Pleasures of Homemaking, and I had to smile at this post. Once upon a time I had He-man and Ninja turtles everywhere–there were even zip-lines across the living room. My sister was horrified and told me she couldn’t deal with that in her house. But I just smiled because I knew the zip-lines and “action figures” wouldn’t be there forever. I was right–suddenly the kids are grown and toys all over the house are just fond memories. Enjoy your little ones–soon enough your house will be clean and oh so quiet. That is until the granchildren come to visit!
Megan´s last blog ..
This is not at all what I was expecting when I saw the title of your post, but I love it. I really, really love it. You are so right that your boys will remember that you let them be themselves without worrying about whether they moved your display. Way to go.
Tara @ Feels Like Home´s last blog ..Get Up and Exercise
That is so funny! Totally something my boys would do. Glad you captured that!
Amanda´s last blog ..Birthday Bash Weekend – Second Giveaway
I know all about working hard to be relaxed
It’s one of those things in life that is definitely worth the hard work!
ali´s last blog ..Multitude Monday 211-220
Thanks for sharing this Kimba. As much as I enjoy reading yours and other blogs, I think it’s easy to look at all the perfect table scapes and beautifully arranged counter tops we see online and become dis-content with our own piles of school work, action figure displays on every flat surface and general stuff! It’s hard some days but we do need to savor the moments we have with our kids and all their stuff. Not long ago my entire island in the kitchen was set for a battle of epic proportions with ALL the good guys facing ALL the bad guys. I just had to laugh. And then I took a picture. These are the moments I don’t want to forget.
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