For the Love of Organization!

I don't want this to come off sounding ungrateful...but Christmas was TOO much this year.  I even have told myself that I went too far.  I am so grateful for the love that has been shown to our kids and to Zach and I...but it has completely overwhelmed me about our 1,000 sq ft house!

We have turned our 3rd bedroom into more of a play room since Henry is still in our room (and I really have no desire to move him).  One night a week or so ago, enough was enough!  I had hit my breaking point and seriously was about to break down.  After a glass of wine....I was ready to get started.

I decided at 7:45pm to run to Walmart and grab 4 big tubs...1 for each week of the month.  1 tub per week of toys!  Once I got home...the organization began!

Here is the Before! Oh Lawd!

 During!

 After...breathe with me! Ahhhhh!  I did decide to leave the train table out indefinitely and the tent Evan got for Christmas can come out when they ask.  In each box, I placed boy and girl toys and split up stuffed animals and really tried to put something each of them LOVED in each box.  With each rotation, I am going to be looking at what they play with the most and what might not get played with.  If it doesn't get played with...hello Goodwill or Kid 2 Kid!  I just don't have the space for extra!

 I also placed all things "school" related in separate boxes that are stored in our craft (nice name for junk) closet in the hall.  These are things we use often like Tag Books, playdough, crayons, coloring books, construction paper, etc.

So far, the rotation system is going great!  Zoe has asked for specific toys and I explain to her when she will play with those.  I have also found that the kids have outgrown certain toys like the pretend food...all it does is make a mess!  Bye Bye!

I am really hoping this will help keep our home cleaner, as well.  At the end of the night, the last thing I want to do is clean for another 1 hour!  It is so much easier cleaning up the contents of one box rather than 4!

Let's just hope the positivity continues!