2.23.2010

Dance and Destroy

Rumor has it that children have a tendancy to trash their parents' houses for years on end. We definitely had a "beater" couch that got even more beaten down by 5 kids. Come to think of it, we still treat my parents' house like a dumpster, leaving dirty dishes for my mom to clean up when we visit and our cast-off college furniture (and poorly executed oil paintings of nude models, in my case), but that's not what this post is about.

It's about MY house. The precious oasis that I've so carefully and creatively decorated, which is slowly being destroyed by this sweet-looking boy below.
This child has plenty of toys to play with, but he prefers taking a wooden knife and breaking the reeds off of the wicker shelves in the playroom. And every other thing that has a woven quality, like baskets and containers. He considers curtains to be his own personal hang-toy, outlet covers are a fun challenge for him to try (and succeed in) removing, and he treats lamps like targets for throwing. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the house getting tired of hearing me say the word "no!"
Mr. Geek told me that this morning, SoJo took the spent match that the mister lit his meditation candle with and streaked the new curtain (shown in my previous post) with the burnt, black end (the match was cool, since the candle was lit an hour before). My dear husband thankfully disguised the act with soap and water, only so we could shake our heads about it after dinner.

I'm guessing that a lot of it is that he's a boy, and is sorely in need of a day outside. To remedy this, we've taken up dancing, or as we like to call it, "the wiggles."
It cracks me up to see SoJo wiggling his arms and dancing. I really need to get a video of it.
He especially loves dancing to Putumayo's Picnic Playground and gets excited when the Ice Cream song comes on. As soon as he hears that steel drum, he starts smiling.

So we don't live in a precious house filled with priceless objects, unless of course you count SoJo. I'd much rather have a beater of a house with him in it than a spotless, perfect abode. How's your home holding up?


12 comments:

Naomi said...

Between Jasper and Roo and Stella and the six cats, our home is a disaster. But at least they're all happy...

Lindsey said...

Since the baby was born my oldest has been stir crazy. Literally just an hour ago she drew all over the wall. Luckily it was just chalk but STILL!!
aaahhh...kids!

Braley Mama said...

I am super glad we have never bought furniture, all hand-me downs. i told my husband the other day.."If we had bought this couch I would cry."
You are so right. Our children are far more valuable then stuff:)

Michelle @ Flying Giggles said...

You must get video of him wiggling...he is ADORABLE!

Our house? We decided that maybe we should wait 18 years before we buy anymore new furniture. Yesterday, the girls broke the holder for the curtain rod. Aiyana comes to me with the rod and curtain. When I asked what happened, "But, we were just playing hide and seek".

Wic said...

my twin boys (3 1/2) alone this year killed:
2 dishes, the couch and one chair.
as a bonus they squished pink and blue play dough into the carpet, 3 times lotion/oil-based cream all over the living room, their room not to forget all the furniture and flour.
So my husband things it`s a boy thing I think it`s a reason to go into the forest and scream.

Shana said...

I gotta tell you, after you left on Monday I tidied just enough so I wouldn't trip and fall, put Lili to bed and hot-showered and did yogo to try to help my bad back. The relaxation worked so well I fell asleep. When Chris got home, he said that the house looked like the set of a movie called "When Babies Attack." It was definitely more trashed than I've ever seen it. I found cheerios in the drinks pitcher from the hutch cabinet.

Ammie said...

SoJo is an adorable wiggling and grinning and destructing boy. I can relate. I'm beginning to desperately fear for the safety of our Arts & Crafts rental! Thank goodness we're moving soon, and hopefully to some place a little less sensitive.

TheEclecticElement said...

I don't have any kids so I wouldn't know what your going through. Oh, I have a 100 lb dog that does some damage though! LOL
At least you've learned nothing fragile or valuable in range of the little kiddo :)

Muthering Heights said...

Dancing sounds like a great solution!! :)

My home is doing well enough. My children are not permitted to touch certain things, and they respect their boundaries. That being said, accidents DO happen, and I'm still waiting on a replacement for my apothecary jar. ;)

Muthering Heights said...

Dancing sounds like a great solution!! :)

My home is doing well enough. My children are not permitted to touch certain things, and they respect their boundaries. That being said, accidents DO happen, and I'm still waiting on a replacement for my apothecary jar. ;)

CanCan said...

Deacon breaks stuff. He is more destructive than Jojo. Recently I found that he had drawn with a pen on the backs of some wooden puzzle pieces. And he has also stripped off splinters of wood from the kitchen drawers my husband made. So now there is a nice large patch of unstained wood.

Bonnie the Boss said...

With 4 boys and one girl, I have to say.... not well. Plus boys stink, there isn't enough febreeze to change that.
So I buy wood and metal to decorate with. No more glass at this house.

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