If you have kids . . .

You will relate to this post. If not, you may well think that I have lost my mind, and you should be assured that we will soon return to your regularly scheduled decorating programming.

As I announced earlier in the week, my nephews are staying with us for a week of summer vacation. Now I confess upfront that I am that Aunt, who at weak moments cannot take another minute of tattling or bickering and will turn on the t.v. and pray for just 15 minutes of uninterrupted silence. But don’t worry, I am also that Aunt, who serves fresh fruit smoothies for breakfast instead of sugar-laced cereal. Therefore I can justify a mid-afternoon snack of Noggin with a bit of Mickey Mouse Playhouse on the side, n’est pas? Jesus appreciated times of silence and introspection. I promise. It’s in the Gospel.

The thing with t.v., however, is that the kiddos are much more interested in sitting through a t.v. show if I am actively watching along, laughing along, and making random comments to demonstrate that I am an active participant in their world. Every day this week we have watched the antics of bunnies Max and Ruby, courtesy of Nick Jr.

Demonstrating my rapt attention to said cartoon, I ask A:

“A, is Ruby Max’s mommy or his sister?”

“His sister.”

“Where’s their mommy?”

(insert five year-old’s eye roll here) “They don’t haaaaaave a mommy.”

Hmmmmm . . . . Okay. Rule one, don’t think too hard about the plot. So like any other decorator, I focus on the house. Even if it is a cartoon house. Quite frankly, Max and Ruby’s digs are rockin.

Next I say to A:

“I love their green paint in the living room!”

A responds, “Ya, green!! Can we paint your living room green, Aunt E??!???” (Ahhh, this is a child after my own heart)

I think, “wonder what color that is????” then, “EARTH TO ERIN, this is a cartoon. Not Benjamin Moore.”

But still, I focus on the house. The fact that they have lovely wainscotting, and wide-planked hardwood floors: I have finally found the world’s most affordable way to have your dream house! Draw it!! Coffered ceilings? Check! Designer wall paper? Check! Antique light fixtures? Check Check! I’m suddenly really into this show!

By the way, the all-time best kids’ movie house belongs to Stuart Little. I highly recommend it. The movie isn’t half bad either. At least not the first 42 times.

And for all the parents and fellow-aunties out there, this is my all-time favorite kids’ video. It is so calming and lovely. I got my copy on VHS from a clearance bin at Old Time Pottery a few years ago and I guard it like treasure. A and B love it too. And the characters live in a charming little cottage in the woods. It is the perfect time-out so that you can recharge and have plenty of energy to turn on the sprinkler and test out your brand new Lightening McQueen umbrellas in the yard.

The perfect balance.

Living a life with a lovely backdrop.

Today, for us, it is enough.