We are getting our piano! THIS WEEKEND. Do you remember the Grand Shuffle that needs to take place for this to happen? Here’s a reminder.
The basement is more or less complete with it’s remodel. There is about a 2-foot section of trim that still needs to be finished, and Aaron has already said that it might be 3 years before this is done. Ha ha, honey!
The guest room and hallway are complete, and the bathroom just needs the final touches to be done as well. Grandma is ready to part with the piano, and my dad & his truck are going there this weekend…so that just leaves us to transport the toys and their shelves down!
We have been doing this rather gradually. First, the village of Fisher-Price Little People went down, and then the dollhouse and one shelf unit. Several other tubs went yesterday as well. Then I had 6 kids playing down there, and hardly noticed the noise – even with the door to the basement open.
Here’s a couple things that I learned about having a playroom downstairs:
1) It’s a lot easier to ensure that the room is cleaned up before they move on, since there is a DOOR. With an open floor plan upstairs, it’s just too easy for them to leave a mess and flow right on to the next clear spot of floor. But now, I can actually say, “No coming upstairs until the basement is picked up.” Of course, I’m not going down to check, so we’ll see how that goes.
2) An area is a lot easier to pick up if there is no puzzles, games, books, or furniture to get in the way. Just scoop and dump. (The puzzles, games, and books will be staying upstairs. Furniture may arrive gradually.)
3) I kinda miss hearing their little helium voices and innocent conversations.
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With that last factor in mind, as well as all the “Dinner’s ready!” that I anticipate in the next, oh, 17 years, I really want to get some kind of intercomm system. When I tell Aaron about it, he says, “You want a baby monitor.” Yes.
But not exactly. I want a baby monitor/ walkie-talkie combo. Do I want a portable one that I can take with me if I’m not in the kitchen? Do we need to invest in a video monitor? Do I want the basement unit to have the option of “lock”ing on the upstairs? (This would dramatically increase Leah’s opportunities to eavesdrop on adult conversations – especially the GOOD ones, the ones shes sent to the basement to avoid!) These are all questions that we are just starting to contemplate.
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What has been your experience with playrooms? Easier to pick up than an adult-shared space? Or one gigantic pit of childhood ephemera?
Ever had an intercomm in your house? How did that work for you? Any advice or tips to pass on?
