We were extraordinarily lucky to find a short term house rental two streets away from Betsy at exactly the time we needed it. For five months this lovely little house became our home away from the demolition site that was Betsy.
While we were relieved to find that it had enough bedrooms, floorboards instead of carpet (I have pretty bad dust mite allergies), storage underneath for an entire house worth of stuff and tolerance of our cat, we were not expecting it to be quite as lovely as it was.
The entire house was painted white (how did they know?) and it had lots of light. It even had a big deck with a poinciana tree at the back. It really felt like a home away from home. Considering that the only other contender (that we missed out on) was slated for demolition, smelt like dog and had pink shag pile carpet, we felt like someone was looking out for us when we found this house.
We made the most of the sunny front garden and the awesome steep driveway.
And don't forget the backyard swing where if Dada pushes you, you can touch the roof ( very scary for Mamas to watch).
We befriended the magpies,
got through autumn in style,
turned winter trips to the bin downstairs into an excursion,
went to a few birthday parties,
built some creations,
embellished paper bags for kindy munch and crunch,
started using rulers for accurate architectural plans,
and celebrated some special occasions.
How lovely that the house took such good care of you, perhaps your new magpie friends will move to Betsy with you!
ReplyDeleteThat would be fab, I think they had a nest in the tree at little house. We will have to make do with the ducks and the turkeys!
DeleteYes, you've been looked after very well, at a time when you really needed it! :) x
ReplyDeleteWe are so, so grateful for this house finding us, amazing how when you really need it, help appears.
DeleteSuch a lovely post Mel, makes me want to move in! xo
ReplyDeleteYour boys would have loved that swing and driveway!
DeleteBless. Tears.
ReplyDeleteI get very attached to houses, well the ones without pink dog smelling shag pile that is!
DeleteIt was meant to be. I bet you are excited to more into Betsy!!! x
ReplyDeleteOh boy, once I get over the horror that is moving house with small children on school holidays, then I will be excited!
DeleteSuch a lovely ode to your temporary home away fro home. It's always the people in it who make a home a real home. xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, my girl has spent most of her kindy year in this house so it will always have special memories for me.
DeleteA lovely home away from home. and so many cute memories there too. x
ReplyDeleteAmazing how many significant moments happen with kids over a short five months, I wanted to remember these.
DeleteSo lovely...and so nice that the little rental is near you so just like you walked past Betsy when you weren't living there, you can walk past the rental and remember the nice times you had there.
ReplyDeleteTotally, I actually want to sneak back and photograph all the gladioli that are going to flower down the driveway over summer.
DeleteLovely tribute to your temporary home, and now it's time to make Betsy feel like your own again. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, now that will be exciting, for now it's a whole lot of painting and unpacking.
DeleteSo sweet! Looks like you had a great spot for your transition and made some beautiful memories there.
ReplyDeleteOh I loved this post, and so nice that you found a lovely place to escape from the stress and mess of renovations. But on to a new chapter in your family home. I'm sure you'll build a whole lot of (pleasant/ non floor nightmare!) memories in your new home. Looking forward to seeing how you spread out into your new pad. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Heidi, this house completely saved my sanity, and really reduced the stress for my son who finds change very challenging.
DeleteGoodbye Little House - HELLO BETSY! Glad you were able to forge some good memories during your 5 month hiatus. When we moved into our apartment I was only expecting to be here for 8 months - we've now clocked up two years. YIKES. xx
ReplyDeleteTwo years, wow, you and your boys are troopers. They will be beside themselves with excitement moving home.
ReplyDeleteSuch a heart-warming post! You have captured some beautiful memories with your lovely photography!
ReplyDeleteHave just found your blog....am thoroughly enjoying it!! Thanks for taking us on your renovation journey with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories, that was such a nice post for the kids to look back on xx.
ReplyDelete