Reclaiming Our Living Space (well almost)

So having a lot of children means we have a lot of toys. And a lot is really an understatement. We have way too many. We often go through what we have a weed out the things we know they don't play with, and things that are babyish, since they are toddlers now and don't really need teething rings!! HA! Basically the toys have taken over our living space.

When the littles were itty bitty, we had a playroom. But then we separated Lyla from the boys, so we lost that playroom. Recently we decided it's time to reclaim our living room from the hurricane of toys. We moved Emmalee in with Lyla, she's got a "big girl bed" (twin mattress/box spring on the floor), and we started going through the toys in what used to be Emmalee's room! For a couple months, it's just been a mess. We are quite the procrastinators, and really, there's just not enough hours in the day. So my mom helped me out yesterday, and we got it done!

They went in after nap, and were just amazed at being allowed to enter that room, it's been off limits for so long!



Of course they brought toys out to the living room, but mostly they played in the play room, and were even interacting with each other, which they rarely do! It was trashed in 15 minutes, but the best part is, I can close the door! It feels great to see my new carpeting in my living room, which is normally covered with toys!

Before: This is all I could find, and this is MILD compared to what was usually on the floor:


After: Of course it probably won't stay this clear, but it won't be anything like it was!!


Now to keep my counter space clean...that's another battle! I am a piler...I just keep adding to the pile, and occasionally weed the pile, but it always comes back!