What a great opportunity you had to give her the snow globe! Even though we lived fairly close to both sets of grandparents and I loved them all, I didn't interact with them much in elementary years or as a teen; but had "snow globe moments" with them from time to time. My mom occasionally mentioned my maternal grandma wondered if I didn't like her because I usually went off to read a book. I just didn't know what to say to her. When I was 12 we moved next door to my paternal grandma to be where we could help her. I never felt close to her really. She tended to be critical and to compare me to, well, pretty much everyone, but she meant well. In college I moved into my mat. grandparents basement apartment to be closer to campus. In my whole life they had never tried to correct me (something I feel is always best left to the parents!). While I lived there they just visited with me, asked me about school and work, told me amusing stories, etc. Never once did I use the kitchen downstairs. I always ate with Gramm and Gramp and they always acted amazed that I would do all the dishes when I "should be studying" or that I could carry my book bag with so many big textbooks. They were delightful and brilliant and the least judgemental people I know! They met my husband long before the rest of my family did and made him feel welcome, too. He feels as close to them as I do. Gramm's been gone nearly 20 yrs now, Gramp has been gone for 11. I still miss them both with all my heart! I think you're wonderful for wanting a close relationship with your family! Just keep loving your little one and be patient. Don't push the relationship. Love her mom, too. Grandparents can be a safe haven when the time is right! Wishing you all the best! Kay

I'm looking for Shabby Chic girls rooms too. I'm looking for more of the stuff that I see directly from Rachel Ashwell's books. No bright anywhere. Totally different direction than what I was planning originally but yesterday I painted her wall color and when I stepped back it just whispered super simple, shabby chic so now the hunt is on! This will be the 3rd set of bedding that I am taking back now. I've been pouring over my RA Shabby Chic books & just orderd her new one. The paint I chose is SW Conservative Gray. Trim was already bright white. I'm going to do white washable bedding from Target w/ blush colored sheets w/ ruffles and will try to pick that up in some pillows. So far window treatments I'm leaning towards are simple white IKEA roman shades. I'm painting her bureau and side table the palest blush. I'm thinking about throwing up some picture framing on the walls too. I saw a great alphabet project on Sara's House where they cut out letters from scrap MDF in all differnt fonts and placed them on a plate rail around the room. I showed it to DH and he is going to see if any of his business acquantainces through work have a C&C router to cut out the letters for me and then I am going to glitter them in shades of antique gold and blush. It'll be a bit until I have pictures but I'm getting ready to go back up and work plus I also need to wait for Rachels new book to arrive to get more ideas. It literally fell together in my head in about 15 minuttttes last night. It was my Ah Hah moment when I stepped back and looked at the finished wall.

PP offered some great tips! Your girls are going to love the room. I had a couple suggestions I haven't seen mentioned yet. For wall art: I love etsy.com for handmade art or budget-friendly photos. I have some great prints for my 2 girls' rooms. They also have vinyl adhesive quotes or you can order your girls' names. They can be pricey, so I ended just hand painting a two-tone pink cherry blossom tree. Not as fancy as this, but decent enough considering it only cost me a few quarts of paint. This decal from easy is $86. For your windows: I agree with the PP worried about window safety. With those windows, I would invest in plantation shutters (too heavy for a 2 or 3 year old to unlock and swing open) or buy a metal window gate to ensure your kids can't open the window. Then you can buy some pretty sheers to soften the look of plantation shutters. I got some from Pottery Barn Kids that are embroidered with pink and green butterflies to cover my daughter's shutters. It offers a light whimsical look. They're both sleeping now so I can't take photos. I can't copy the image here, but I see one on eBay now with lavender butterflies for $35 per 84" panel. Post photos when you finish the playroom!

Here's one the previous owners left for my daughter