Hands down one of my MOST favorite parts about being a mama is the absolute joy I get from embarrassing my kiddos. And hands down one of my MOST favorite ways to do this is by singing loudly and dancing like nobody’s business. I happen to think I have some awesome moves but for some reason they seem to be horrified disagree.
I’m particularly fond of singing songs to them which tend to be extra annoying if you are already in a grumpy mood or have just awakened. I know, I know, it’s just a tad sadistic. But, we gotta do what we gotta do to get through this parenting gig, right?
And while they might think of it as totally humiliating and annoying, I choose to think of it as character development.
One of my personal favorites is a song from my childhood. One we sang each week in Sunday school and is particularly great to belt out at the top of your lungs first thing in the morning. It’s called ‘So Let the Sunshine In’ and the main chorus goes like this..
“So let the sunshine in face it with a grin smilers never lose and frowners never win
So let the sunshine in face it with a grin open up your heart and let the sunshine in”
I mean, can’t you imagine how much my kids just LOVE hearing that over and over again?! 😉
Well, they better brace themselves because I did something recently which has caused that song to be perpetually on the tip of my lips and it’s anyone’s guess when it will just burst forth.
I decided to take down all of the blinds from the windows along the back side of our house.
I opened up the heart of my home and let the sunshine (or at least a little bit more light!) right in!
It was like one day I just got a hankering. I HAD to take them down. I needed light. Not filtered light through blinds I was constantly having to dust. Just light!
Soon after we went through the great painting extravaganza of 2015 (also known as the family room makeover, built-in cabinet makeover and island makeover), I realized how much I had been craving more openness.
And while for some time now I haven’t had blinds in our breakfast nook, I still had them on the windows in our family room and kitchen.
But not anymore!
“So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin”!
I love that now I can really see the blooms on my beautiful snowball tree. Even though we live in a neighborhood, we have huge trees along the back of our yard which give us wonderful privacy.
And on those dreary, rainy Oregon days, getting as much unfiltered light as possible streaming through the windows is definitely a must.
My kitchen windows meet in the corner and simple drapes on either side which match those in the family room add softness next to the cabinets but don’t obstruct the view of my cherry trees.
I think even my little miss approved when she got home from school and realized she had extra light by which to draw.
And of course, when they got home from school on the day I took them down, I couldn’t resist breaking into song as my way of sharing with them the awesomeness that is our nekkid windows!
They, of course, were not mortified at all and didn’t run from the room begging me to stop.
Nope, not at all. 😉
I’m still considering adding some kind of roman shade to the windows but for now, I’m just loving them in all of their nekkid glory!
Ahhhhh, the joys of parenting! I love nekkid windows during the day, but night time is a 180!
Embarrassing the kiddos is awesome! They, as most kids do it too. It’s just part of growing up. Now I have to ask one question; whatcha gonna do when they start singing with ya? Same Sunshine song?
Oh oh! I know, SING IT LOUDER!
Be blessed, Hope
I totally agree about night time being a different story without the blinds Hope! Still trying to decide how I feel about it and I’m definitely leaning towards maybe getting some soft roman shades or something that we can pull down. It honestly kind of spooks me out to just have the dark windows! LOL!
Love love love “Nekkid Windows”…
I get it that might be a little unnerving at night when you live in a neighborhood, but I have lived in the middle of 65 acres of woods for over 20 years and it is great. I have never put anything on my windows that closed off the light. I have drapes but they stay pulled open as far as I can pull them. No shades, no blinds no “Nuthin’ ”, Just light when it’s day and stars and moon when it’s night…
Oh , and by the way, I love all the pictures you post… Your home is so beautiful!
I loved this! I make up silly songs too and sing them to my family. Your home is beautiful, and I enjoy your nekkid windows!
I love the bare windows letting all the light in. It makes the house look bigger and make you feel more like you are outdoors.
Oh, Vanessa, you DID IT! I really love the light! Mom
Embarrassing the kids was always so much fun. Now I get to watch my daughters have that fun.
I bought my house 13 years ago for the big beautiful windows. I was determined not to cover them up. We moved in Halloween. When warm weather started I had to rethink those big beautiful windows in the Florida sunshine. But Plantation shutters aren’t too bad!
I definitely love plantation shutters Nancy! And yes, embarrassing the kids (and grandkids too right?!) is fun!
It looks beautiful. Your home is so inviting. Every time I visit Paige Knudsen’s blog, I admire her bare windows, too.
Thanks Lisa!! Using the word ‘inviting’ to describe my home is the highest compliment! 🙂
Your “nekkid” windows are gorgeous! LET THERE BE LIGHT! What a darling photo of your little one happily drawing in the sunshine!
Thanks so much Jane!
Naked glory does not work for the bedroom! I like letting the light in and having views out.
LOL Rose!! Definitely need window coverings in the bathroom!! 😉
Oh another post that I so love and which brings back fond memories of that song…in which I sing to my granddaughter when she spends the night and on some days I wake her up in the morning with that song….She just gives me “the look”…..Love your nekkid windows…I have many as I do not need the privacy in many of my rooms and love an unobstructive view…Your views are so beautifl…Even though the kids may give you “the look” or groan a bit when you are happy and singing to them, they will have those memories and will one day tell you how they did appreciate a happy mom!!
Awww…thanks so much Shirley! Hugs to you friend! 🙂