Chalk it up to a Good Idea

Liza setting up a game of Hang Man for sissy.

The girls received a chalkboard a few birthdays ago from their Great Grandma and I wanted to put it in a place that they both could use without any fights. Let me rephrase that… I didn’t want to put it in either of their bedrooms so I would have to hear “Get out of my room!” anymore than I already do. The hallway was a perfect spot and we hung it low for easy reach.

The little lip at the bottom of the chalkboard didn’t hold the chalk very well and it kept falling on the floor, getting crushed, requiring me to sweep more (never a good thing) so I asked my Mom what she thought we could use for a chalk holder. Something that we could nail or screw into the wall, hold quite a bit of chalk (a lot comes in one of those boxes) and would be secure so that should a scuffle take place we wouldn’t have any extra holes in the wall to cover up. Now, don’t get the wrong idea, our girls don’t fight all the time but for any of you parents out there that do happen to have (1) two girls within 3 years apart and (2) both that have type A personalities know what I’m talking about.

Jules is getting so tall now that she kneels while they play hangman and other games. She is growing up so fast!

Having raised 7 children of her own, being a natural ‘repurposer’ and an Antique/Vintage Goddess of information I knew she would come up with the perfect solution. And she did! A vintage, metal recipe box.

I bow down to you o' Mother of mine!

We see them all the time at garage sales and antique malls. Mom found this one for me which I LOVED! Doug placed two screws in the lid to hold it in place; one on each side and it hasn’t budged! (can’t see it in the picture)

The girls love it! I throw a rag in there for them to wipe the board and it works perfectly!

It is quite the draw when we have gatherings of kids of all ages. Most people leave a comment or two when they visit the house. I will write little notes to the girls from time to time to surprise them when they pass while heading to their rooms. We have had it a few years now and I loved using it when I was teaching Eliza the alphabet, sight words, numbers, etc.

Enjoy!

Tara