Do you think it’s safe to assume that not so many 2-bedroom condos make room for both a grand piano AND a 2-person tent? Let me quickly assure you that the tent was a temporary experiment — it didn’t work, this time at least, as a sleeping space, but it was fun for playing in, and a certain Nine assures us that she wants it set up for her next sleepover here.
Instead, the visiting Three slept in the walk-through closet/hallway in her Nana and Granddad’s room, and Mama, Papa, and Baby Brother slumbered in the guest room. We may all sleep more soundly back in our regular accommodations this evening, but we truly enjoyed all the family shenanigans this weekend (oh, and three little cousins — Five, Three, and Three — successfully snoozed together for ten hours on Saturday night, all in one room, although there might have been some sweet story-telling before the dreams began. . . )
We’ve been gone from our island home just over two years now, and I do miss it sometimes, but I’m so happy that we’ve managed the shift into this new urban life. More sustainable in ways that seem important to us now (although I won’t pretend I don’t occasionally wish for a big Volume Control knob). . .
Happy Monday! How’s your week shaping up?
I am very impressed by the piano and tent.
I just read an excellent article on Curbed about how too many people buy houses for the exceptional maximum use (Thanksgiving dinner every other year), and use only a small part of their McMansions. But all that space needs to be heated and cooled…we also buy big cars when 90% of the time they're for one person (the time they're being used, because 90% of the time they're parked. What industry would invest in a factory that sits idle most of the time?).
The cousins' sleepover is going to be such a special memory for them!
We're definitely on the same wavelength. We need to think about how to use space and energy more wisely — and we need to do that quickly, for our kids and grandkids. . .
I read that link that you posted about the couple with two children in the smaller apartment . I guess that it is workable as long as everyone is a good mood. Three pre-schoolers together must have been a bit noisy but I'll bet Nana had fun too.
I know from my daughter's example (they have two Littles in 700 sf.) that it has to work when some are not in a good mood. They find ways, as you do. . . I admire my daughter and son-in-law's resourcefulness — they have a plot in the nearby community garden, visit parks, go to the library, meet friends at nearby cafes or restaurants, or go for a solo walk. . .
Sometimes being all on top of each other is the best.
You got it! (and sometimes I like my own little corner all to myself đ
Having shared my bed with a grand-toddler a time or two, and woken up with small feet pushing against my back, I think the closet/hallway sleeping mode was a smart move. Though the little whispers in my ear of "Nanny, its time to get up", are quite sweet–even though it sometimes takes place at 5 am. đ
This one sleeps 'til 7:30-8-ish, so no problem at all, but her cousin can do the 5 a.m. wake-up call. So much easier to be relaxed about that now that I'm retired and can usually grab a nap later in the day. . . makes those "little whispers" much sweeter đ
Hahaha, a big volume control knob!
So fun having family get togethers, tents and all. ( I'm sure that tent will be included in future adventures – maybe on your lovely patio)
BTW, how is your patio garden doing with these sunny warm days? I pretty well have to water my pots everyday or at least every 36 hours.
Suz from Vancouver
And the volume I'd be turning down isn't controlling the kids but rather all the street noise and the fans for the underground parking of the building across the street. . . . the garbage/recycling trucks that arrive at 6 a.m. . . .
We're doing the same thing with the plant-watering — not so bad with the bigger containers, or the ones that sit below, under another plant's shade, but so many of them dry out quickly in this heat — and even more so with that light wind we've been having.
I like the tent in the living room,beside the piano đ
I guess that the kids have more fun when they are all together
Have you read that the Beckhams are on the Adriatic coast-Croatia and Montenegro- quite unnoticed ,because we were so busy (and still are) celebrating our team?
Dottoressa