” There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child...There are SEVEN MILLION.”  ~ Walt Streightiff

Suddenly, before you barely have had time to blink, your precious little babies grow up over night and became part of the new “toddler era.” How did it happen so quickly? As a tender and adoring baby, they were lovingly cuddle-some, docile,  full of wonder and awe as well as breathtaking. Your heart was filled with such felicity with each stage of their growth…Bath time was something you really looked forward to as they looked so cute in your kitchen sink! 🙂   Now, (at times,) they can be on the fussy side, cranky, volatile and a bit selfish. Hmm… Could it be that they are entering the new stage in life called, ” the exploring and finding out WHO they really are phase?”   I believe they are seeking to find their self-dependence, desiring to have their own individualism, thus a few changes in their precious personalities,  would naturally be occurring!   This humorous quote made me laugh… “Having a two year old is like having a blender that you don’t have the top for.” ~ Jerry Senfield

My love for children began while I was a senior in High school. It was not a  ‘chance happening’ that our family moved to a charming, ‘much easier to take care of,’ Town-home in Mission Viejo, CA., (A huge change for our large family of 7, leaving our Brobdingnagian 6 bedroom home with a galvanizing swimming pool and pristine yard behind.)   For myself, the gift of that difficult move was what awaited me every morning in our cozily shared courtyard with our new neighbors. Without failure, each summer morning, a beautiful 18 month old little angel appeared outside our double pained sliding doors, just staring at our home and smiling. I went outside to meet her one day, and we became the best of friends instantaneously. (All she wanted was a new friend to ‘hang out’ with.)  🙂 Her name was Samantha and she blessed my life with pure joy.   We were inseparable for years…who would have ever thought you could become best friends with an 18 month old?  It was in meeting and falling in love with Samantha’s innocent spirit and loving heart that caused me to know my ‘calling’ was to work with the little ones, so I began studying Early Childhood Development in College.   In my mind, when I travel back to that era of reverie, splendor and smiles galore, it brings many a wondrous and nostalgic feeling.  After I got married, I became a part time nanny, (as I was also busy writing.)  I simply adored my season with the undeniably  charming , exceedingly dauntless, and ‘energized-bunny, fraternal twin boys, Warren and Paul,’ (who unbeknownst to them,)  forced me to work out at the gym to be able to keep up with them.  (That and 5 cups of strong coffee a day.) 🙂 They charmed me into giving them  stroller rides up and down the hills of southern CA.. (Have you ever pushed  two little boys, in a ‘twin, double stroller’ up a hill,?)   playing hide and seek ALL DAY LONG, (in a two story house mind you) and I still am amazed how they would always lose me when I took them to the toy store! 🙂    I also cherished my time with two winsome and charming little boys, William and Jackson. William was 9 months old and held my heart  captive from day one…Jackson was three, with flaring red hair, mischievous but “oh so cute,” (and I must add my ‘combative match.’) 🙂   Those two boys taught me that ‘no two days were ever a like, expect the impossible, and life with them, from then on out, was going to be an “E” ticket ride.’  🙂 At this time in my life, I was  taking ultra- mega, EXTRA vitamins and my caffeine intake was even higher. 🙂 My days teaching preschool and directing childcare at the YMCA, ( I call them my days of blissful insanity,) were a 7 year experience I will never forget!  Take two kids and multiply them by 50…it equals plenty of “head shaking, finding the new 8th, 9th and 10th wonders of the world and instant weight loss.” (Yes, being responsible for 75 to 100 kids a day is better than any Weight Watchers  plan to to get that skinny waistline back.) 🙂 Children are a true gift from God and I feel so very blessed in all the little ones He brought into my life… Children are a bountiful slice of paradise that grace our lives.  Not only did they all change me as a person, (for the better,) but they filled an area deep within that only the utter, pure and unconditional love of a child can do.

 

Your curious and energized toddlers first room, (their ‘baby room’ as they call it,) is no longer up to their liking…Because their tastes are developing, they actually have their own “Color palette ” now! 🙂 They want a ‘voice’ in what the decor of their room looks like. Is your little girl frilly, a  lover of bright colors, adores playing with dolls, wearing lipstick, and dancing to her favorite Taylor Swift music?  Perhaps she is more like a Tom-boy where she adores wearing bluejeans, Tee shirts,  playing soccer, going fishing,  collecting baseball cards and would rather  give up  her favorite TV show before she’d ever wear a red ribbon in her hair. 🙂 Yes, your little girl will definitely want a say in her rooms ambiance. Same thing with your rambunctious little boy…Is he athletic, always running wild, barely able to keep his shirt on, likes to wear his baseball cap everyday like the movie stars, and knows he is just ‘to adorable for his own good?’   Or perhaps he is more artistic, a lover of music and books, enjoys being held, and is very demonstrative of his love to friends and family?  It’s funny, when I was a ‘nanny’ to Warren and Paul, ( the fraternal twins who were completely opposites, both in their personalities and stature,) their mom  shared with me an intensely vivid dream she had about her sons. In her dream, the twins were about 18 years old…One was siting on a  Harley motorcycle, with his sun soaked athletic physique. He had a smooth way about him as he was conversing with his friends,  was a little flirtatious and he had become a successful, (and quite popular,)  high school football ‘star.’ Her other son in the dream was slender, well dressed in his fashionable attire, was quiet and shy, loved the arts and was very studios, amicable, and happy.  I said; “Let me guess which one was Paul and which was Warren.” I was right on the money…they were just grown up versions of who they already were as ‘little people.’  🙂 ( I have not seen them in 12 years…they were about 5 and half at that time, so that puts them right about 18 years old at present. It would be interesting to see them and  what they are like, and to know if her dream was truly ‘prophetic.’ 🙂     Little boys will also want a say in their room’s ‘flavor,’ as they too are so diverse in their ‘styles.’  I have a few suggestions… In choosing the decor for your toddlers rooms, allow them to feel as if  they are choosing the decor themselves, by hinting at how very special it would be to have a motley painted mural of a cloud filled sky, painted on the ceiling with a rainbow on the wall, etc. (Show them  pictures to evoke excitement, wonder and awe.) Many a times, your toddler will love what you think , as for them, your opinion is  ‘really cool.’ They also have an innate, deep desire to want to do anything their big brother suggests to them. (’cause what he thinks is REALLY, REALLY cool.)  🙂  Secondly, invite them to be a part of making the choices with the colors and accessories they would like to have in their most treasured place on earth. They are the king and queen of their Magical kingdom.

Here is what a few wise people have to say about the “toddler stage.” 🙂

DISTINGUISHED QUOTE CORNER:

“Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare.” ~ Ed Asner

“There are only two things a child will share willingly…communicable diseases and his mothers age.” ~ Benjamen Spock

“While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~ Angela Schwindt

“The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives.” ~ Robert Brault

“A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer.” ~ Author Unknown

” A rose can say “I love you,” orchids can enthrall, but a weed bouquet in a chubby fist, yes, that says it all.” ~ Author Unknown…. (I love that quote.)

“Kids: They dance before they learn there is anything that is not music.” ~William Stafford

 

Lets go and explore your toddlers “Magical Kingdom.”

 

“Here comes Peter Cotton tail, hopping down the bunny trail.”  This technicolor room would certainly put a song in any child’s heart. 🙂 It’s multicolored bed quilts amidst the cozy wallpaper, create a mood and ambiance of feeling welcomed and ‘at home.’ (I love those two big bunnies!) 🙂

A quaint and cozy corner for your toddler to have their special ‘reading time.’ Over sized chairs have always been one of my husbands and my favorite styles of furniture, and now they have them for the tiny ones. How adorable.

If ever a bedroom whispered, “happy springtime” it’s this stunning and lovely little girls room with it’s soft pastel checkered and striped fabrics amongst the heavenly light blue canopy. It’s so fresh and crisp looking as well as “dainty and whimsical.”

This Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit themed room is fabulously alluring.  Filled with an English charm and floral design that celebrates life, beauty and good old fashioned FUN!

A toddlers room fit for a prince… I am in awe at this glorious and breathtaking mural painted on the wall behind the fairytale like bed… The soft wooden armoire  is picture-book perfect as well as captivating! Any little boy would be especially blessed to call this room  his home, his magical Kingdom! 🙂

This bedroom illustrates a blissful arrangement of beauty that fills every corner of the room. It is ethereal, wispy and a bit romantic for your little girls safe haven. I love it! The soft, pastel blanket looks so cute next to the “antique duo” of dolls as well as delicate and whimsical stenciling upon the faux painted walls.

A little boys dream come true… This maritime children’s bedroom is adventuresome, patriotic and fun loving…Every night would be filled with dreams of being a sailor out at sea… seeing the great and mighty wonders of the deep blue ocean. Very imaginative!

This little one could be dreaming (day and night,) that he, (like the Swiss family Robinson,) is stranded on a deserted island and his task at hand is to ‘build himself a home, up in a towering, tall tree,’ to keep safe from all the wild animals of the islet. This bed is not only colorful but very creative!

This room, as well as the one above, is perfect for your twin boys, unless they prefer individual bedrooms. It’s nautical and bethnic theme is very “boyish” and gallant. I love all the beautiful wood amongst the creamy whites.

Mary Engelbreit is at it again…Wherever you see an abundance of bright color, you know she was there! 🙂 This sunny yellow room is delightful and would motivate every little girls imagination to begin blooming… It’s bright, distinctive and down right adorable! 🙂

Another M.E. bedroom…I adore these bright reds and the charming table set up for your toddlers tea party. Little girls adore tea parties, whether they invite you and your husband, their brother or sister, a best friend or their fair-haired, faithful  stuffed animals, they can spend hours talking away as they entertain in their imaginary world.

What a darling, feminine and charismatic “pink” room. There is nothing quite like the color of pink for little girls… The soft greens and rich reds added in with this ever-so-popular color is warm, cozy and exceedingly graceful!

Another little Prince’s dream come true. I can’t see a single thing lacking in this regal, adventuresome and amusingly handsome bedroom. I think most little boys who had this room as their safe haven, would be a little mischievous just to be “sent to their room.” ) 🙂 What a darling little set of table and chairs…It almost looks antique!

A stunning and eloquent room for a little queen…I adore the artful wood work, the brilliant layers of a myriad of whites as well as the style of this enchanting room with the era of the furniture and the elegant canopy festooned above the head board. What a gorgeous room.

I’ve never seen a bedroom quite like this one…First off, I love the color palette of the butter cream whites, pastel greens and the soft shades of rose…The ballooned curtain toppers as well as the magical ‘tucked away’ bed is a wondrous idea and I adore the little table setup in the room for all types of imaginative playtime.  This room gets Five stars! 🙂

For every little boy who dreams of being a famous race car driver like Dale Earnhardt JR., ( the prestigious driver in the NASCAR Grand Prix,) this bedroom would be a dream come true. PS, Don’t worry if you are constantly hearing the sounds of a make believe race car, (revving it’s engine as he’s speedily driving on the tracks…day and night.) I can just hear him now… 🙂

Wow! A little girls room that looks like it is right out of the popular movie, The Princess diaries. This room exudes, glamor, royalty and says “pampered” all over it! It’s a bedroom fit for a princess or a queen… I love this regal and enchanting bed canopy!

Simplicity is a really nice change… I love the colors and lines of this room, the dove  grey walls and antiquated head board is stunning. Any little boy or girl, would be blessed to have this room as their own.

These two diverse rooms are definitely for your animated and imaginative little boy.   Whether an over sized tree house bed or a room filled with all of his favorite sports memorabilia,  both rooms are  esthetically unique and would tell the story of their heart’s passions to everyone who enters their doors. !

Wow! What stunning bedroom furniture for little girls.  Two more distinct and absolutely beautiful ‘little girls’ rooms. Whether for two lovely and blessed princesses, with the regal headboards and romantic, fanciful white canopies, or the magical Cinderella carriage bed, both of these rooms would be a wonderland and place of imaginations and dreams coming true for your little girl.

What a lovely, soft, dainty and romantic wall ensemble above this angelic little girls place of slumber.  I adore the inspiring  colors of hushed yellows, pastel blues and lively greens…all hues of  the picturesque beauty of nature. This bedroom exudes an ambiance of  serenity and calmness as well as the essence of a Victorian era.   Absolutely breathtaking! 

This ethereal and delightful, ballooned curtained window design that matches the chair rail wallpaper border, is absolutely stunning for this little girls bedroom. Very romantic , enchanting and gracefully inviting!

Lastly, this little boy’s room is handsomely baronial and august! I adore the hunter green color and these original and unique bunk beds. This is perfect for your twin boys who are as different as night and day…they each have a ‘space of their own’ to create their  decor style…all the things that they love and that reveal their darling personalities.   What a great and heartwarming idea!

 

With every child’s room, there are always an abundance of accessories that they will ask for …on every birthday, Christmas and trips to Wal*Mart or Toys R us! 🙂 Here are a few ideas… 🙂

This adorable wall shelf with a place to hang clothes is perfect for a little girls or boys room. The top shelf is an ideal place for your little ones to display the things they love…whether dolls, books, stuffed animals or Disney DVD’s,  baseball caps, race cars or footballs. Children also love decorative pillows as they add so much color to their quaint ‘domain.’ 🙂

For many boys, their first real collection is sports memorabilia… these select sport items are colorful and very ‘ boyish.’ Your little tots can never have to many blankets or “wobbies” as they called them….(Is that what they are calling them today? ) I am  ‘so out of touch!’  🙂

Another special room accessory for your toddlers, is a never ending supply of great, healthy and fun DVD’s. Just like we, as adults, love a great movie every now and then, so do your little ones…Yes, some of your kids will watch the same movie over and over a thousand times, where as others will always be asking for the latest and newest movie that’s just been released. 🙂

Another thing you can never have to many of is BOOKS! Children, (of all ages,) absolutely love to read, and be read to! A great way to collect them inexpensively is to go to your local library for their sale day of the month… They have great children’s books for pennies!

Having your own chair is very comforting… I know my husband has his ‘favored chair’ in our home and so do I….Our little ones would be blessed to  have one of their own as well… Perfect for their reading hour! 🙂  Oh, and don’t forget the foot stool…(I use mine every night!) 🙂

A little girls room would just not be the same without a doll baby or a Barbie collection. I had a cherished doll until I was…(OK, I won’t say my age,) 🙂  but, baby dolls are a ‘big part’ of our childhoods. For your little girls who would rather build trains, or for your boys who adore creating and playing  with miniature cars, they have great track sets out on the market now. You have seen the ‘tea party’  tables for your little girls room, well this table is perfect for your little boys room..a place to color, paint, read, draw…and be creative!

A tiny TV with a DVD player is a wonderful addition for your child’s room… With you or your mate’s help, until they have learned how to operate it, it’s a fun accessory for each little “kingdom”… Your in charge of what they watch and it’s a great avenue to allow their imaginations to grow  and blossom in a new way! Some of my most memorable childhood memories took place, watching and enjoying the Disney classics…I still sneak one in every now and then, (usually when my husband is not here! 🙂

You’ve heard of “Pretty in Pink?” 🙂 What an exquisite tea party table for your little girls room. They will have every chair filled in no time at all and spend hours entertaining!

Another race track and play set as well as  a monumental and genteel rocking horse…. Both great for exercise, hand eye coordination and for just having FUN!

Every child loves to have sleep overs… These festive tents are perfect for your little ones to have a friend over to enjoy an adventuresome and delightful  “camping trip” within their own bedroom! (Just give them some books, a flashlight, snacks and lots of pillows and blankets! They will be in 7th heaven.) 🙂

What tiny tikes room does not have at least one stuffed bunny rabbit or fair-haired bear? A lot of children will begin an early collection and choosing their stuffed animals for them for Christmas time or their birthday is so much fun as you get to add some great , creative new ‘family members’ to the group! Boyd’s bears and bunnies are spectacular.

 

These vintage, hand painted bedroom accents are elfin and magical. I love the coat rack with the wooden bunny on top as well as the adorable cabinet, festooned with bright colored diamond shapes. What little girl, (or boy) would not love to have a children’s armoire? It can be filled with quilts, blankets, games,  sheets, books, DVD’s, beach towels, etc… It’s not only decorative but very convenient!

I absolutely adore this stenciled, vintage armoire for a children’s room! ( I would even like in our bedroom! 🙂 ) It is stunning!

Another baronial Rocking Horse…Not only fairytale like but a wondrous room decoration as well as fun way for your little guy to get some exercise!

Lastly, every toddlers room needs some “choice artwork.” 🙂 This is a beautiful rendition of  an artistic production from the renowned Uncle Remus’  folklore character,  Brer Rabbit! Any of the classical childhood bunny rabbits from our childhood, matted and framed, would be welcoming and quite magical for your little tots room.  (Peter Rabbit, ‘White Rabbit’ from Alice in Wonderland, Thumper, Peter Cottontail, ‘Rabbit’ from the well known Winnie the pooh collection, Harvey and the crazy and goofy, Bugs Bunny! )

Decorating our homes is not only an abundance of fun, but it brings forth so much beauty, color and joy to our lives, our children’s lives, husbands and guests! Just as they say; “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” it’s the same truth in “creating” every room in your beautiful haven. It’s all about what makes YOU and YOUR FAMILY happy!  Decorating your toddlers room may be the last room you have a lot of “say” in with them, as when they get to be older…well, YOU KNOW!!! 🙂 (My ‘decor of choice’ when I was in the 4th or 5th grade was pages of Jermaine Jackson, (of the Jackson five,) carefully cut out of an Entertainment magazine, taped all over my walls. 🙂  I thought it looked so cool! (I had such a crush on him…) My mom  just kept my door shut! 🙂 Have fun and ENJOY!

 

 

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