Every year at Christmas, my parents took my sister and me to Christmas in the Oaks, a Christmas lights driving and walking tour in New Orleans’s City Park. Afterwards, we would drink hot chocolate, ride the carousel, and play in Storyland, the storybook themed playground. I can still remember all the magic: the twinkling lights, the music from the carousel, and the adventure from the playground. Some of my most vivid childhood memories are playing in the storybook castle pretending I was a princess, riding in Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, playing house in the boot built for the Old Woman in the Shoe, or climbing inside the mouth of the whale that swallowed Pinocchio.
Now that I have kids of my own, I’m always looking for ways to help create memories for them like my parents did for me. And when I heard about Cheekwood’s newest exhibit, I knew it was something I definitely wanted to do.
For those of you not in the middle Tennessee area, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of Nashville’s best attractions featuring 55 acres of botanical gardens and an art museum inside the estate. And from May 1st , 2019 to September 1st, 2019 there are five magical storybook houses nestled among the gardens. Each house’s design and name are inspired by a classic children’s book: “TRAINS!” inspired by Loren Long, “We Are Wild” inspired by Maurice Sendak, “Charlotte’s Barn” inspired by Garth Williams, “Hill Top Garden” (my personal favorite) inspired by Beatrix Potter, and “Oh, The Places You’ll Play” inspired by none other than Dr. Seuss.
My friend and I decided to take our daughters for one last preschool playdate before school let out for summer. We said we wanted to take advantage of the smaller crowds and cooler weather, but deep down we knew we really wanted to savor one last weekday playdate before they both start kindergarten in the fall, and we needed an excuse to dress them in coordinating Matilda Jane outfits and take pictures (what southern mama wouldn’t?). We spent most of the day at Cheekwood listening to the sweetest giggles and the elaborate imaginations of these two girls. These houses exercised their little bodies as much as it did their minds.
It is amazing what a playhouse can do for a child’s soul.
The girls loved every house, and I was amazed at the whimsical décor. Each storybook house has been designed and built with such creativity and detail put into every square inch of it, but clearly, everyone will have their own personal favorite. Mine was “Hill Top Garden” inspired by the scenery of Peter Rabbit. From the bunny cut outs on the picket fence, the tiny vegetables you could actually pretend to grow and harvest in the garden, to the burrow under the stump of an old tree, I actually felt like I was walking into the story itself.
The entire day will be a memory that I cherish forever, and I know it will be one my little girl will too! I plan on braving the heat and going back one day before school starts back. If you haven’t been to visit the storybook houses yet, do yourself a favor and go. Pack a picnic and prepare to make a day of it. You won’t be sorry! And I really hope Cheekwood decides to do this again next summer, whether it is the same houses or new ones. It would be such sweet tradition to share with my kids.
For more information about Cheekwood Estate & Gardens including hours and admission, click on the link below!
