I adore your mother, Caroline! What better way to decorate your home than with the art of children?
When my daughter and grandchildren lived with us for several years, they couldn't Picasso our walls because we rented. Instead, I dedicated an entire living room wall to their school artwork. You could follow their progress through the early school years until they reached ages when schools no longer encourage spontaneous artful expression.
When they moved and then, we bought a townhome and moved, I decorated the spare bedroom, also used as my office, with their artwork.
Now, they live far away. Haven't seen them in two years, but I have their artwork to warm my heart.