The Perfect Playhouse

I had a play house when I was a little girl. It was amazing. I loved it then and I love it now. Many wonderful memories are attached to that play house. Hours were spent playing house, orphanage and super heroes. It was the place for holding club meetings: the sea shell club, the rock collectors club, the boy haters club. It was a place I could go to read and pretend I was somewhere else, was someone else. It was our own little world.

Every kids needs a place like that.

The favorite features of our playhouse were:

It was up high.

It had a big deck where we had a commanding view of the whole back yard. In my memories, it was very, very high.

It had a rope ladder for climbing up.

It had a slide for sliding down.

There were curtains in the windows.

The play house was really a little house. It felt real--just smaller.

My brother's favorite feature was the giant dirt pit underneath the playhouse deck.

He dug caves and tunnels for his GI Joes and Star Wars figures.

He also filled it with water and made it into a giant mud hole.

Aaron and I have been discussing a playhouse for our little people. The problem we've been facing is this, Aaron doesn't want to look into our back yard at some playhouse monstrosity. Does it have to be ugly? Can't it look good? Can't it be well designed? Can't it be cool?

To be honest, I was getting a little annoyed at all this. Our kids need a play house or a play structure or something to climb on and jump off, swing from, play in, and call their very own. Sometimes you just have to let your design aesthetic go and deal with reality!

How glad I am that I was wrong.

I found these and I think they are awesome.

If you go to the website, here, you will find lots more pictures of all the features I think are so great. You will also find a few other models, but this one is my favorite.

It is, of course, the one that looks the most modern.

I like the plank climbing wall on the side. The other side of that wall has rock climbing holds. How perfect for my little climbers.

The raised deck allows for a trap door.

What kid doesn't love a trap door?

I like the rope attached to one side.

More climbing!

Another playhouse design featured a chalkboard wall.

Chalk outside=good.

I like the clean, simple lines of this playhouse.

I wouldn't mind looking at something like this every day.

Here's hoping this will provide all the design inspiration Aaron needs to get our brood a playhouse before the dog days of summer begin!

*I have looked at this website quite a bit in the past few days. It is always really slow for me. If you can't get the pictures, there are some more here. Not as many, but it's something. Hope you have fun dreaming of the perfect playhouse.

From the Trip: San Luis Obispo

Have you been to San Luis Obispo? It is a town I really like. It is a place where I can imagine myself living. But for now, I visit. Here are some of my favorite parts of this great town.

There is a stream running through downtown SLO. There are paths to walk alongside it and bridges to walk above it. It is peaceful and serene.
Some people think the best thing about the creek is the creek side dining.

But we know the best thing about the creek is climbing on the rocks and playing in the water.

SLO is a great town for kids. My boys could have happily tromped in that creek for the whole day. The best part about it, playing in the creek is perfectly OK.
If you can tear yourself away from the creek, you can marvel at the gum alley.

Yes, you heard me right. The gum alley. 2 walls, covered solid, as far up as arms can reach, with chewed up gum.

The boys didn't know what to think.
There is an old theater. It still plays movies.
There is lots of beautiful architecture.
But my favorite part of San Luis Obispo is the Thursday Farmers' Market. It is the best I've ever been to. (OK, except for one in Arles, France. But I mean, here.)
It is packed. There is a whole section of prepared food. You'll want to try everything: tamales, kettle corn, pizza, and most of all, bar-b-q. Specifically from this place. The line starts long before the Market is open and stretches a block easy. The crew starts service with a rousing rendition of God Bless America and then do everything in their power to make your wait as entertaining as possible.

Even my 2 little, squirmy boys enjoyed watching the show.
The air is filled with smoke and everything smells heavenly. Just look at those artichokes.
After you've had your fill of prepared food, head over to the produce section and fill up your bag with some of the best fruits and veggies you've ever had the pleasure to put in your mouth.
These melons melt on your tongue. One farmer had cantaloupes so fragrant I could smell them from across the street. It was the best I'd ever had.
Many of the farms are right outside San Luis. Everything is fresh and lovely and the farmers have a real pride in their produce. I bought late season raspberries, peaches and tomatoes. It was a little bit of food heaven for me.
And the flowers...don't these dahlias just melt your heart? Displayed in coffee cans? I love it.

If you go to San Luis Obispo, please make sure your stay includes a Thursday. You wouldn't want to miss this. I promise.

There are also lots of great shops to peruse in downtown SLO. I didn't do too much of that, as the 3 little ones with me aren't big fans of perusing shops (except toy shops) but I always look forward to the day when I can. The main drag is Higuera street, with plenty of other walkable streets branching off from it. You can easily park your car and walk the town.

There is a children's museum, and a trip to the mission is always in order.

There is lots to do. But it is not so busy you feel exhausted. Just sip your coffee at a sidewalk cafe, or head down to the creek and enjoy it there.

If you get a chance, take a chance on San Luis Obispo. Maybe I'll see you there.

We're already planning our next trip.

Our House

Our house,

 is a very, very, very fine house

With 2 kids in the yard.........