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So far, the year has been pretty grey in Nashville, and until the sun decides to once again grace us with its presence, we’ve been trying to come up with activities for a rainy day(s). Enter Play House Project 2013…
We used cardboard boxes leftover from Christmas deliveries, and after a few swipes with the X-AXTO knife and a little paint, Summer now has her own play house.
For days when she feels like romping around in the grass surrounded by flowers…
and butterflies…
And for those days she’d rather wander the streets of New York City, hail a cab, and head to the Village…
Such a fun project, and Summer seems to be enjoying her new digs.
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
What a cute idea! and those pj’s are so adorable!
Thanks Nicky.
So cute and fun! I bet it keeps her entertained for hours.
I can’t believe how much older she’s looking! Where does the time go?!
And seriously, how many months ’til summer?!? It’s dreadfully cold here in Kansas City. Indoor activities are a necessity for sure!!
Tracy,
I have no idea. She’s looking more and more little girl and less toddler every day. Please make it stop.
Sunshine all weekend here. Cold but sunny. Definitely ready for some warmer temps!
omg, look at Summer’s long hair!! Gorgeous. And what a fun project for playtime. I love it!
Thanks Michelle, we love the finished play house too, and yes, Summer’s hair is so long. You should see it when it’s wet. Goes all the way down her back! Love her long gorgeous curls.
Beautiful.
No screen.
No batteries required.
100% stimulated imaginations at work.
and one nomination for best mom ever. Make that three. no four..no probably a whole lotta votes, Heather.
Sincerely,
Blog reader whose best toy remembered was a refrigerator box carved with windows and decorated by my (dearly departed) brother.
You are creating memories and so much more.
Aww, thanks Missy. Your comment melted my heart. Sounds like you made some precious memories with your brother.
Too cute! You are very artistic.
Thanks Lori. We had fun making it.
Oh that is too cute!! I love the flowers and butterflies on one side and new york on the other! So creative and I’m sure Summer will love it! Something about boxes is so fun as a kid!
Thanks Alex, and yes, not sure what is so exciting about boxes, but I loved them myself back in the day.
I want to come play house!! You guys are sooooo creative!!!
xoxo
~Lori
Thanks Lori, and you know you are welcome anytime!
Look at those gorgeous curls! Love the creativity. I imagine it’s so much fun to get to be a kid again with your little ones : )
Morgan,
I know, I love her hair! And yes, it is fun. I have a blast with Summer’s art supplies and play with them more than she does.
Heather,
Have you ever read the book, Christina Katarina and the Box? It’s such a cute children’s book, about a girl who does lots of things with the refrigerator box. You can only find it used, but I would recommend you get a copy.
Shannon,
No, I have not, but I think I need to. Going to look for it on Amazon right now. Thanks for the recommendation. Sounds right up our alley.
Adorable, what a cute idea!!! You’re so talented. And I can’t get over Summer’s hair. It’s so long and pretty! I’m still waiting it out to be able to put my 2.5 year old’s in a ponytail!
Natalie,
Hehe. If it makes you feel any better, the twins arrived with a lot less hair. In fact, Katie will not be seeing a ponytail holder for a while.
Awww, what a cutie! I love the playhouse and all the little artwork on it. And her hair…is just gorgeous! She takes after her mama
Aww, thanks Averie. She definitely inherited my thick hair, but mine doesn’t have those gorgeous curls like Summer’s. I love it.
Oh, how I totally forgot about making cardboard houses when I was young! Mine weren’t as pretty as yours, though!
Kerry,
Ha, ours weren’t either, but we didn’t care. My mom said we spent HOURS in our refrigerator box. No paint required.
this is just totally awesome. i have a 14-month-old and i’m totally inspired! thanks!
Dianna,
You’re welcome. Have fun with your play house art.
So great! I especially like the artwork. I could never have something turn out that nice. She is getting so big!
Holly,
Thank you, and so true about Summer. She is looking more and more “little girl” and less “toddler” everyday.
What a great idea! Summer looks like she’s having fun. Love the idea. Xo
Love that! What a great idea to paint different scenes.
Thanks Cecilia, it was a fun project.
Gosh I miss the days when the boys played in boxes. I LOVED watching them use their imagination and creativity that way. I’m so over this weather. I need a little sunshine in my life! Hopefully it will be over soon…hopefully.
PS, I’m emailing you today!
Hi Sarena,
Hope you guys enjoyed this sunny weekend as much as we did. It was beautiful here in Nashville!
Great job! My ‘little ones’ are much older (7 yr old twin boys, 9 yr old girl, 11 yr old boy, 13 yr old girl, 15 yr old boy and 23 yr old boy!) but they still LOVE boxes! I wish I could find a huge box that they could play in.
Stay safe and warm – hopefully your weather will be better soon. In Florida we’ve been dealing with warmer temps. I know that sounds great to alot of y’all but we get enough summer! A little winter would be nice.
Melissa,
Wow, you sound like a busy mama. I love it!
We had sunshine all weekend Cold but sunny, and I’ll try to send some of those cooler temps your way.
We stay pretty busy (we homeschool, too!), but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thanks for sending some cool temps out way – this week is going to be perfect!
So in that last photo…is that the table she sits at to write her blog?
Scott,
Ha! Totally.
Love the artwork! You are so crafty
Thanks Alyssa.
her hair is getting so long! this is a genius idea and cheap! i had a tent type thing when i was younger that was my playhouse and it was where some of my craftiest plans were hatched!
Thanks for sharing Melissa. I hope Summer can say the same someday.
Always love seeing a new blog from you pop up in my feed! And I love this creative play idea! We have been all going nutty from the snow and cold and keeping Wrigley interested in toys has been difficult. Is it spring yet?
Awww, thanks Monica. Love the photo of you and your little one all bundled up for a walk outside on Instagram. We’ve been doing the same. As long as it’s not raining we try to get outside!
The New York scene is just amazing…seriously. I can’t draw a thing so I am very impressed!
Here’s hoping you get some good weather soon!
Thanks Ameena. We’ve had sunshine all weekend but doesn’t quite compare to the view from your parents’ deck.
Boxes are just the best – so many possibilities!
I love love love Summer’s PJs – they are the cutest.
Have a super day Heather :0)
Thanks Lorne,
Hope you’re feeling better and that you’re getting plenty of rest!
O.M.G!!!!!! I LOVE it! So cool!
Thanks Alyssa!
How wonderful! Enjoy!
totally awesome!! totally innovative and I simply love the drawings to make an ordinary box into a play thing!!! so fun!!!
Thanks Lena,
We had a good time making it.
I hope I am as creative and fun as you are when G is a toddler. I’m bookmarking this for a rainy Seattle day in a couple of years
Lara,
I have a feeling you will be. It’s amazing what a mom is capable of after being stuck inside with a toddler all day due to bad weather. Trust me, the creative juices will start to flow!
I just read your blog. It seems like you try to make your readers think you are the ultimate creative “super-mom”, slaving away doing art projects on a rainy day, while also caring for 3 kids on your own. But you never mention anywhere that you have a full-time nanny. Yes, you have 3 kids, but so do many, many other moms— and many of those also work for a living. I think most people think that defining yourself as a “stay at home mom” means something different than the life you are leading, so I think it’s less than honest and devalues the truly full-time in the home work that so many millions of moms do. The only moms I know with a nanny also work and have a career.
Hi Jennifer, I’ve mentioned it in the comments before, and it’s not a secret that we have help. I’m grateful for our nanny because otherwise, leaving the house by myself with all three is a real challenge as we don’t own a triple stroller. Plus she is wonderful with our kids. However she does not work for us full-time. She’s only part time.
P.S.
Unless it’s a craft I am doing with my toddler, all crafting and painting are done after all the kids go to bed or during nap time.
Jennifer did you really just say “slaving” away? Great word choice…
About Heather… I have known her for a long time… You are wrong Jennifer…or at least misdirecting your anger.. I don’t think i heard Heather complaining about her life, saying she was burdened, or claiming to be someone she is not… Just that it was raining and she was inside with a toddler.. and it made her creative..
What is wrong with having a nanny? Who does not come out ahead in this situation?
So what is your real problem here?
Soooo cute!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the playhouse!!!
And P.S., ignore the hater commenters above.
TOO CUTE!!! You have great talent, too. I Love the paint job on the play house
This inspired me to make one for my son. He’s an only child so far (almost 2.5) and I bet he would LOVE something like this! I appreciate momma sharing their creative ideas so those of us who don’t have them can benefit 
xo
Thanks Alli, and I hope your little boy enjoys his play house. I love when moms share their projects as well. So much creativity out there, and I’ve gotten many ideas from others…thank you Pinterest.
what a cute idea.. to play house.. dont’ have kids yet, but i’ll keep this one in mind. it’s been gray here in NYC too… here’s to hoping we both get some sunshine.
Honeywhatscooking,
It’s sunny here right now, and so hopefully you have some coming your way!
Awesome!!! You are such a good mama!
Aww, this is the loveliest idea! I had a play house as well when I was little, and loved it dearly!
What a super idea. Those pjs are totally adorable. And since we have LOTS of rainy days in Seattle, I am going to do this pretty soon