The Continued Evolution of the Boy's Rooms: Matt

I never shared photos of Matt's room for a preschooler, I don't know why I never got around to it! I missed the whole toddler phase with the little bed. And when we came to the shocking realization that it was time to swap out the kitchen set for a desk this summer... I knew I had to take some photos before this room changed AGAIN. The last time I had photos taken of this room, it was a nursery - crib, rocking chair, a small place to play. Now it's a big boy bed, dresser and a small area to play. 

For several years, the kitchen set was played with almost daily. He loved that thing - pretend cooking was a favorite activity. His other favorite activity in his room was building train tracks everywhere. He'd build elaborate cities of wooden tracks and houses and set the battery operated trains out to navigate the expanse. They were impressive. 

This year, in Kindergarten, his tastes have changed. Paw Patrol was traded for Minecraft, playing with figurines traded for nerf guns, animals for zombies, pretend cooking traded for practicing sports. He's only set up the train tracks a handful of times, the kitchen set has started gathering dust. He wants a desk in here for doing homework and coloring, since he's going into first grade. 

It's time. I've been dragging my feet but I know it's time. I think it's harder with the "last baby" to let go. I was devastated when we put the crib away for a toddler bed. The toddler bed for a twin. And it breaks my heart yet again to think of both my kids being done with the kitchen set my great grandfather built for my mother when she was little... how did the time fly by so fast?! 

The plan is a simple one. The kitchen set will be moved out, a small desk and chair brought in. The woodland art on the walls will be updated to something for new. Matt has requested a navy blue ceiling like Oliver's room too (which is fine because we have to repair a few cracks in the ceiling anyways). 

The gallery wall in his room is mostly the same art as the nursery, just expanded since the bed is much lower than the crib. I used the opportunity to mix in some new things - display shelves for his treasures and fun things, a star light he picked out himself at IKEA and a cloth kite canvas that used to be in Oliver's room but Matt is in love with it (and a long time ago it used to be mine!). The triangle display shelves are a favorite of mine from Etsy. We've been going on rock and fossil hunting adventures, plus things he finds on hikes or at the beach, so it's really fun to have places to put them on display. I think if we replace the woodland animals with something for an older boy, the gallery wall layout can stay as-is for now. 

This room really reflects Matt's preschooler personality - a lot of excitement in a tiny package. He was SO into the outdoors, nature, animals and exploring. He still loves bright colors and has so many interests. Just like him, his room is small but mighty, packed with personality. I'm looking forward to updating it this spring/summer to reflect his big kid self.