Yesterday

I decided yesterday to tackle all those projects I had been putting off forever.  Namely I was going to clean out the playroom and Michael's room.  And by clean out I do not mean clean up.  I mean clean out.  Sort toys.  Get rid of toys.  Donate toys.  Send toys to consignment.  Get rid of crap.

Except this task became herculean.  I have no idea why I thought I could accomplish all of this in one day.  Not even a day.  I started at 10 am and needed to pick Michael up at 3:00.

This is what the playroom looked like when I was mid task.

Yes, I know this child has way TOO MUCH STUFF.  And let me tell you, we did not buy him 2/3 of it.  Probably more than that.  We have very generous relatives.

And the iPad is mine.  My 5 year old does not have his own iPad.  Perhaps that is my line in the sand.  Pandora was the only thing that kept me moving through this process.

As I was sorting toys I had the voices of Toy Story 3 in my head.  Don't donate us, not the attic, not storage, not consignment.  It was driving me crazy.  But in the end I ended up with 6 boxes and bags to go to the consignment store and 3 bags to donate and 2 bags of trash. 

And a playroom that look liked this.

I give it a week before it is a disaster again.  But man it felt good.  

I also cleaned out Michael's room of old books and old toys, and then for a break folded laundry, and made dinner early, because he has a late gymnastics class on Monday nights.  Doug asked me if I was wearing an apron and planned to have a scotch waiting for him when he got home.  He is funny that one.

Tomorrow I tackle the 25 minute run.  For some reason that seems like a picnic. 

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Thank you all for your comments on yesterday's post.  Apparently make up really brings out the commenters!  I can't wait to try all your suggestions.  And no, Doug, I'm not going to try all their suggestions, just some, or most, or maybe all.   

Comments

[Leandra]

Wow! Great job! I do that about once a year and it feels so good. We have so many of those little Happy Meal toys that nobody plays with after the first five minutes. I love chunking those things in the trash.

I'm home today with a sickie, so maybe I'll get some cleaning done.

[Violet]

Nice job! Between Happy Meals and my mother, I end up needing to purge 2 or 3 times a year. I wait until the kids are asleep, then clear out every broken, outgrown, or tiny crap toys I can get away with. And then put everything I can into the toybox so they don't notice that it isn't as full as it was. :)

My trick is leaving the bags in the garage for a week or two before giving them away, just in case someone asks for the ball popper with the orange stuck in it so it doesn't work any more.

[Dawn]

Wow! That looks great! If you're up for another challenge, I have a messy playroom to tackle...

And you have to keep your husband off balance with the domestic divaness every now and then. It's good for them....

[Issa]

I like your line. Everyone has to have one. I think I'll copy it. On one side, is the iTouch's, on the other my precious...I mean my iPad. ;)

I need to do this badly. I am very impressed with how much you gave away. Maybe I'll do it, in August when my kids are with my mom for a bit. My girls are known for suddenly deciding the toy I tossed is their very favorite toy in the entire world. Even though they never played with it and it's four years old.

ps. Adore your floors.

[Zanna]

Good job! I adore your floors too.

Zanna