Is there anything more fun than bouncing on a bed? It is a classic childhood activity that most every kid enjoys. Yesterday, we paid a visit to our local independent mattress showroom to find a twin ‘big girl’ bed. The only rule we imposed on our excitable daughter was “no jumping on the beds.” Other than that, she could go crazy in there. And she did! It wasn’t 45 seconds before her shoes were yanked off and she was ascending one of the queen beds with a big cheesy smile firmly planted on her face – she was in heaven!
Mattress stores like this one are a great place to play. The beds are usually lined up next to each other, some with a small but manageable gap between them, but generally are aligned in a big long row of various pillow top, memory foam and regular beds waiting to be tested and purchased. The gaps between some of the mattresses proved perfect for frog jumps (from the knees) and for running between and playing hide and seek. She really had a great time and helped in identifying which mattress in our price range was the most comfortable to her. We settled on a $399 Sealy Pyramid II, a three-piece twin set (mattress, box spring and frame) and a modest but very affordable headboard. It is a simple white one that will fit in the room perfectly, both in size and in design.
Unfortunately, the trip did not conclude as pleasantly as it began. Towards the end of our visit, while I was settling the bill and scheduling the free delivery, my girl was off having a meltdown about 6 beds away. In retrospect, we should have gotten out of the house a bit earlier. She was exhausted from a busy birthday party on Saturday and was clearly over-excited and due for a nap – a dangerous combination that blew up in our faces as we were wrapping up the purchase. Another learning experience for us parents!
Only a dresser remains before the room can be considered complete. Well, the dresser and the wallpaper actually being hung – but that is just a technicality. We expect the paper to be hung within the next week, so should the bed arrive first, we will indulge her excitement and let her sleep in it before the paper is up. That way, when the room is fully in order, we should have a head start on working through the quirks of the big move.
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