fireplaces

While I love our house, I have found one major aspect that makes it not child friendly. There are fireplaces in 4 rooms in the home and within each fireplace there is a stack of coal. The boys don't mess with it, but yesterday i was getting lunch and washing Oliver's hands and I hear Harrison call me into the family room. "Lily is messing up her pretty dress and playing with the coal". It was on her hands, arms, face, her dress, and the carpet. Oh my. She only touched it one other time and I tapped her hand and said NO. She gave me the really pouty lip and she had not touched it again, so i thought I was safe. Not a chance.