Tuesday, October 26, 2010

a sad farewell

Making the play kitchen for Sutton was truly a labor of love. During the process I kept thinking about how much she and her brothers were going to love it and the hours of imaginative play that would ensue. I even hoped that many many years from now my grandchildren would play with the kitchen. Fast forward just a short 16 months later and the kitchen has been loved and played with BUT we are running out of space. We bought our three bedroom house when we had one child and now we are on the verge of having our fourth. It's getting a little cramped. Buying a bigger house is not an option right now so we have to make this little house continue to work for us! That means making some sacrifices... and the play kitchen is one of them.

(Sutton playing with the kitchen)

It was one of those situations where I knew the kitchen would have to go but I had take some time to get used to the idea. I considered storing it in the attic but that seemed silly since it would benefit no one in there. I didn't want to sell it. Finally we decided to donate it to Sutton's preschool. We figured it would be taken care of there and that lots of children would be able to enjoy it. Sutton cried a little the day her Dad and Grandpa carried it out of the house but she was fine once we saw it at her school and all the kids playing with it.

(the play kitchen in it's new home)

The teachers reported to me that the kids are loving kitchen. They even sent this cute Thank You note. The kids thumbprints were made into faces. Love it!


The director of the preschool was very kind and told me that if/when we buy a bigger house we can have the kitchen back! So maybe my grand kids really will play with this kitchen someday!

15 comments:

Char @ Crap I've Made said...

What a great solution!

Unknown said...

How sad! But, I wouldn't be surprised if you made a bigger and better one years from now. Most of the joy comes from making it, right?

chris said...

At least you found a solution where Sutton can still use it, and other children can be blessed as well. Hope everything is going well!

Kalleen at Second Street said...

That is a great solution. I am so impressed you could do it. I really don't think I could. I wish I could be as strong as you but I have a hard time letting go of things. I totally seeing you make a better one down the road.

janimal said...

That was a great solution and generous. That kitchen is how I found you.

Unknown said...

It's hard to part with things. Glad to see you donated to Sutton's school. It's a win win for everyone then!

Our Beautiful Life said...

That *is* sad. I loved that kitchen, but I'm glad to see it went to a loving home!

Amy said...

This post made me a little teary eyed! I know how much work goes into a handmade project and then to see it be loved and appreciated by your children makes it all worthwhile! I can only imagine how parting with it (even if it is temporary!) was difficult! How rewarding and touching to have been able to pass it on only to be loved by more!

Laura said...

I am teary eyed that they love it so much and how cute is that card/poster!?

Joy said...

That is such an awesome kitchen. What a great idea to donate it to the school. Your little ones can still play with it when they are there.
Congratulations on #4.
♥ Joy

Shama said...

Hello, I found your blog while researching DIY kids kitchen sets. The first blog I read was your clever assembly of this kitchen set then decided to check out your blog and was surprised to read the very next blog was the donation of the kitchen set. Congrats on the upcoming arrival of your fourth little one. How truly blessed your family is from your example of keeping the important things in life in perspective. You turned what could have been one of life's small heart breaks into a teaching opportunity. Well done mommy.

Shama said...

Saw the picture of the Salt Lake temple in your Halloween home decor post. I would have bet money that you were LDS even before I saw that. :) I guess I know why I was drawn to your blog...birds of a feather..

futuregirl said...

Such a great story. It's heartbreaking when you have to make sacrifices like this, but it's awesome to know that the kitchen is getting *extra* love now. :)

kids-kitchen said...

It never ceases to amaze me how creative people as yourself are. This kitchen playset looks like it was commercially made. I didn't see your article on how you made it, but I'm going to look for it.

Obviously you put a lot of love into making it, but the solution of giving it to the school was just another act of love on your part. It looks great in the classroom and that Thank You from the kids was absolutely precious.

What a mom!!

Kathy said...

That's an awesome solution. Kind of reminds me of Toy Story 3.

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment. I love 'em! They make me feel special! :)

If you have a question make sure you have an email address linked up to your blogger account or leave your email address in the comment so I can respond otherwise I will answer your question here in the comments section.

OR you can email me at suttongraceblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts with Thumbnails