Creating a Girly Garden

In a house that is more blocks, trains and superheros than fairies, princesses and dolls, we've finally carved out a feminine space for our little girls - future home of giggles, late-night whispers, and girl toys galore.

Many people deserve thanks for this room's creation:

- The UC Berkeley girl who sold me her twin box spring for $20, and even helped me uninstall carseats to fit said box spring in my car. I also have her to thank for making me feel much too Suburban Mom and not-so-much Cute Preppy College Girl.

- My trusty extra-large SUV, which is amply sized for hauling mattresses and bed frames.

- The Berkeley police officer who, after observing me 1) execute an illegal three-point turn in the middle of a four-way stop, and 2) check my phone repeatedly for directions because I was clearly lost, tailed me for four blocks with his lights on before finally getting my attention with his siren, and STILL let me out of a richly deserved ticket! I may not be Cute Preppy College Girl, but I can apparently still charm cops.

- Mop, for watching all three kids while I ran this errand, and then helping me haul in the box spring and bed frame and set up the room!

Without further ado, here's the finished product!

I hand-painted the girls' letters, and enlisted help from my minions to put up the handy-dandy wall decals, which were amazingly easy to apply and rearrange!

Molly surveyed the scene from the safety of her crib, and obviously approves of her new tulip sheet and cushy striped crib set!

But the real test came when Clara spent her first night in her big girl bed! Here she is with Dolly and Soft Blankie, ready for her maiden voyage. She's only fallen out once so far!