Mom Story: Amy from Little Alouette

{Photo Credit :: Karen Walrond}

I am Amy Turn Sharp and I am a wild creative from Columbus, Ohio. I own Little Alouette and am trying to be a real writer. Joe and I have three little boys and are busy navigating the world of handmade together as a family.

What kind of house do you live in - are you and the kids happy here or is there anything you find lacking or would like to change?

I am married to a British master carpenter. This sounds dreamy but mostly it means we move around a lot fixing up old houses that would have fallen into ruin if not for Joe. BUT. We live in them while we do this. Eeek. So, Yes, I love our current home as it is a charming 100-year-old home in Worthington, Ohio {village living} but I am also in constant state of remodel. It’s like the cobbler’s children have no shoes. We have lived here for 4 years + we are now finally remodeling the world’s ugliest kitchen. We have lovely rooms and then you turn the corner and it is a very sad room. We hope this year is the year that we can love our home- all of it!

What do you like best about living there?

I do love the fireplace though. And the coffered ceilings that Joe created. And the dark wood floors he put down. And the plans for the secret bookcase and the joining tunneled closets between nursery and the boys room. I like this house. It will be a wondrous house someday.

Do you like to spend time decorating your home and the children’s room?

We just keep it changing. We might move things around and change it up as boys change interests. We have bunk beds now because the boys begged for them and they love it. We keep it pretty eclectic. I like walking into a children’s room or a nursery and not thinking it looks juvenile, but cool. A place I may want to sit for a spell.

Do you keep your children’s play areas separate or do you believe they should have a space in every part of the house?

Our kids have free play rule. We have toys + books in all rooms. It is not a massive house so we have to share. We do have a playroom but they tend to wander into our living space to play.

Where do you look for interior inspiration, favorite magazines, websites, and blogs? 

I devour design bogs. It’s like I need a hit once a week or so. I like looking. Voyeur.

What are your children’s favorite items in your house?

We have a swing in our house and it is the best thing ever. Quiet times just a swinging!

Some tidying tips? Do your children tidy up after themselves?

Yes. I make them clean up toys in the living space every night, but I allow them to slob around in their rooms for days on end because if you saw the state of me + Joe’s bedroom =you would die!

What places in your new neighborhood do you like to shop at? 

We have a local hardware shop + a Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams down the road + Igloo Letterpress is a pal + The Candle Lab + House Wine and Northstar + the best farmer’s market in Midwest! Oh my- my little town rocks! I did not have a car the first year we lived here and it was fine. Walking town. Love.

What is a normal day with your children? What do you do on the weekends?

My kids are wild boys. We are a pretty high-octane family. It is loud and crazy always. The oldest is in school and the middle is in preschool 3x a week. The baby stays with me as I work. I have twin homeschooler babysitters that come 2-3x a week to help. It works but it is a challenge working form home with Little Alouette + my writing. I am already a taxicab service for shuttling to and fro to sports + school activities. I can’t imagine how the future will be with 3 boys.On the weekends we tend to be more child led. Joe works every Saturday but Sundays are sacred days off for us! Sometimes we won’t leave the house if they want to just relax and play. Yesterday we sat for three hours in front of a fire reading our library books and playing around. 

Any tips for keeping the house clean when crafting?

Don’t worry too much. Kids need to see us being relaxed and involved in the process. Preciousness is not cool.

Are you a crafter or DIY person?

Bit of both. We make a lot of art + learning projects. Like the God/goddess wall from last year. They LOVED it. Easy and educational. Read home schooling blogs to get ideas. They are the fountain of amazing!

What do you do with all the projects your children make at home or in school?

Buy a plastic tub for each school year. Stick stuff in it. Done.

What kind of sports do your children like to do and are you involved?

I am a total soccer mom.

Do your children read books online? Do they go to the library?

My kids don’t have a computer. Gasp. We go to the library at least 3x a week. We are obsessed with the library. I just wrote a poem yesterday about it.

Where would you like to go on vacation - with or without your children? 

Joe and I love Greece. I lived there back in the day and we have been together for our very belated honeymoon a few years back. I would love to take the kids someday when we can afford it. We secretly plan a year off someday and want to do a round the world trip. It’s a desire. It’s a life goal I suppose.We just went to Lake Erie this past summer for a quick trip. Large bodies of water make for amazing kiddo trips. It’s all you need. They just stare. Boats. It’s amazing. Kids and water. Mouths hang open. Love it.

What a lovely Mom Story, thank you Amy for sharing it with us!

..Little Alouette..

*If you are interested in being considered for a Mom Story, please contact Tiffany - tiffany.bloesem(at)gmail.com