My Little Boy Grows Up

This post is actually very late - I should have put it up Fall of 2009 when my son's room was actually finished.  However, we had a few last touches that we finished this summer, and in my defense I tried.  Though, every time I wanted to photograph his room....it was a mess, or he had mis-matched sheets, or worse he was in it and refused to leave. 

Change is Good

I am not one to balk at change, I can handle a little change with my life.  I get it is part of life, I understand we all grow, we get our own ideas and we....change.  You would think with my son having no had less than 3 different room designs and decorated by me, I would be all gung-ho on this new venture.  Well, trust me I was excited.  I spear-headed the shopping spree to IKEA, the search for bedding that looked like soccer but was not a cheese-fest of bright colors.  I researched the posters, I experimented with having the room painted white, tan or cream.  I was into the decorating - I DID all the decorating.

Out with the Old

When the day came last year to dismantle his room, to actually pack up his sweet bedding, his model air planes and the hand made pillows my grandmother made him.....I got a bit weepy.  I wanted to save it all, and all I did save.  I kept much of his items because I could not bare to get rid of them.  It was like I was saying good bye to my Little boy and hello to a bigger, meaner and sometimes stinkier one.  He is not yet a man, or a teenager but a tween as he is often called.  The airplane room was his, and he loved it - but it was for a little boy.  This soccer, I mean Manchester United Room - was all him, and all his idea.  Don't get me wrong, I encouraged him and I wanted him to really help us, but it was defiantly his room.

For whatever reason last year when my husband went on his yearly boozefest golf trip my parents offered to watch the kids.  I was all alone on a Saturday night so I decided to paint my son's room.  As I quickly used primer over all of my airplanes I got even more melancholy.  I so wanted the room to stay the same, or as my therapist would say (if I had one) I wanted him to stay the same.  I got it, I get it still today....and yes, looking at that picture of his old rooms still makes me sad. 

Ah, such is life and I will keep living it.  I am usually one to embrace all of my children's milestones - but this painting time I was down right weepy.  Looking back, it probably did not help that we were having a major heat wave, it was 90 degrees inside and the first time I was home alone.  I would chalk it up to hormones but I was just a wee girl of 39 back then and pretty sure it was not menopause.

It is All Soccer Baby.....I mean older Boy!

This past June Grant just graduated fifth grade and is soon going to be entering junior high.  I figured this was a good time to show off his room.  I mean, if painting over a few airplanes brings me to tears, you can only imagine what I am like envisioning him in junior high.  I will try and keep my blubbering, my experience in junior high and my urge to kiss him in public at bay these days.  It was just a bedroom, right?

So, now almost a year later I am excited by his room, I am embracing him as he tells his friends about it and how he shows it off to his soccer team.  I like that he has taken ownership (and some of my credit) for his room.  Now, my husband and I are crossing our fingers this will be our LAST re-design of our son's room before he hits college.  And, at the same time we realize that Abby is going to start wanting a new room pretty soon......

Comments

[desiree]

Cute cute cute! I mean very mature mature mature! I do love it though--I'm planning my own re-do this summer when the boys head out of town. One wants beach hang-out and the other techno-something or other. Hard to believe they're twins!

[Jordans 4]

Take a moment to stop and appre- ciate the memories you have made, the memory making opportunies around you and make someone feel special today.

[Chrissy Andriola]

Jamie, I can relate! Growing pains hurt. I love the new room!!!

[London Edwards]

I love his new room!! It looks very Pottery Barn Teen!! Jack and Pat are doing his room this week. White with a bright apple green stripe around it! I was not part of the planning committee on this one! I can't even imagine what else they have in store for the room.

[muska supra]

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.