The Big Christmas Surprise

Jonathan and I decided to do something totally different for Holland for Christmas this year, and it was a HUGE hit. We were dreading the influx of more, more, more when we are seriously trying to have less, less, less. We are still recovering from the big multi 5th birthday party celebrations in which Holland acquired more stuff than any child needs in their life time! Anyway, after discussing our options of what to do for her, we decided we wanted to put together something that would create an experience or a whole host of experiences. We decided to put together her own private art studio! We spent countless hours cleaning out this little room we have in our basement. We took 3 trips with a crammed full van to the local value village to donate who knows what. We re-arranged some furniture, we painted the room, we put in a floor, we hung up some of Holland's art, we filled up a desk full of art supplies, we put a book rack in there full of books about art written for kids, we put some blank canvases on the wall for free exploration, we bought lots of other art supplies for her to unwrap, put down a splat mat, and then let her go to town. She was tickled. She told us "this is the best Christmas present, ever". She immediately sat down and started exploring. She also told us, "I don't like it, I just LOVE it!".

Here are some pictures of it.....