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So my normally very easy going son had a heart attack when he found out I was painting his old blue treasure chest red to go with the rustic camping theme in he and Pip's bedroom. "I liked it blllllluuuueeeeeeee," he wailed.

But I held my ground. Because life is not perfect! And you can't always get what you want! And all that.

But the truth is I hated that damn blue. And it wouldn't match the $250.00 I had spent on matching bedspreads and accessories (including the cutest vintage lantern light you've ever seen in your life) at Target. Nor the green and cream curtains. Nor the cream wall. (Last two things? Totally not done yet. Just my grand scheme.)

MY scheme.

See, Stink just wanted his blue. And if the point of giving he and his sister a lovely room is to give them an encouraging place to dream, create and relax in, then perhaps it's less about my vision of retro camping and more about what makes them happy.

Duh.

So while Stink was at school this week, Pip and I did some "art projects." Translation: We put some white primer back on the hutch. The blue will be added tomorrow when it's dry.

It's amazing what a little perspective, and a fresh coat of paint, can do to something worn out and tired.

And, speaking of white things all worn out and tired, can we all just stop talking about the Queen of England getting hugged by our First Lady? My ex-boyfriend is a queen, and quite frankly, hugging him just makes my day. So let's all move on.

To hugs, new starts, listening to our kids, controlling our egos, and weekends! Will catch up with ya'll on Monday.

 


Comments

phd in yogurtry link
04/03/2009 00:25

Here's to moms who know how to parent and little boys blue!!!

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Emily link
04/03/2009 06:37

damn you, now I want to paint! Especially because I've taken down the wall paper in the bathroom, but done nothing else, and Jacob keeps peeling little strips off the wall paper in his room...OH and I need to finish the border in the library/computer room... *sigh*

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Travis Erwin link
04/03/2009 07:38

I'm so sick of painting right now it ain't even funny and I still have a pirate bed to build and paint. Arghh.

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Just Jiff link
04/03/2009 10:02

I am SO sick of hearing about the damn queen and the "break from protocol." Whatever. She's still a PERSON.

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Stacey
04/04/2009 11:05

You're such a good mom and not nearly so pushy and manipulative as me. I confess: I usually try to make them think that MY idea was actually THEIR idea, and by the time they catch on, it's too late. Unfortunately, my husband is rarely fooled.

My boys have this hideous "fort" they built directly outside my kitchen window. We had a serious wind storm this winter that blew it down (the fourth story they added made it a little top heavy), so now I look at the heap of rubble whenever I wash dishes.

The boys were adamant that they would take it apart and resurrect it in the same place (oh, lucky me). I know they love their fort, but I am SO SICK of looking at it, so I convinced them how cool it would be if we just doused it with gasoline and watched it burn to the ground (we're far enough out of town that no one would care). They were hesitant at first (boys get attached to their forts, even if it's only a pile of hurricane-ravaged debris), but after a number of well-placed comments on my part, they were convinced that burning it was their own brilliant idea.

So... when I asked hubby to break out the gasoline and matches, Mr. Boyscout gave me his most guilt-inspiring look and informed me that all boys have a God-given need to build forts and I should be ashamed of myself. Ugh. Well, a few more well-placed comments from me and now hubby has agreed to haul the fort-pile to the back corner of the property with the tractor (where I CANNOT see it) and help the boys rebuild. So I'm satisfied; I won't have to look at it, and now I will have no ashes or nails to clean up.

I guess I'm not nearly as sensitive to my kids needs as I should be, and they may end up becoming pyromaniacs as adults. But cut me some slack...at least I don't have to look at the pile of ka-ka out my window anymore.

Good luck with the re-painting. Maybe you could try to convince Kiddo that red is the new blue??

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gretchen link
04/04/2009 19:18

Wow. You get the mother of the year hat-tip. And a hug, even though you're not a queen.

I don't think it matters whether or not you changed the paint. What matters is that you slowed down, really thought about something from your kid's point of view, and realized what the end-goal was. I don't do that as often as I'd like to think.

Thank goodness for primer. :)

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Christie
04/06/2009 01:11

OOooooh! i cant wait to see the little renovation! :D



...and yeah if blue makes him happy, then blue it shall be!

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Deb link
04/06/2009 18:00

Well, I have been so busy that I haven't been checking blogs and my oh my have you been BUSY!

I think your idea of a writing Web Class is EXCELLENT! Good for you! I'd love to take it (but can I wait until I'm done this whole grad school thing - I'll probably have a little more time then =)

Can't wait to see the pictures of the new room. We've been painting lately too and it's so cool to see something change before your very eyes - painting is instant gratification, and I don't know about you, but I'm an instant gratification kind of girl.

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