Your secret is safe with me "Blue". I just used natural poly on the floors. The true grain of the wood was made to be seen, not covered. I recently put hickory in my kitchen. It looks so awesome! When I figure out how to get pictures from my phone to here I'll post one. As for the kids, well my philosophy is; they make flooring everyday and you can always resurface it later. Let kids be kids. They're only kids once. Also, I've already posted somewhere that I'm ready to have a bipolar party. And actually it would be an awesome thing to meet someone like me. Never have had the pleasure.