Organizing Children's Playthings...

So I haven't gotten very far into the book due to my job of chasing around two little crazies all day - but sometimes I think it is a good thing that I only got a paragraph or two in - because then I can contemplate that one topic for a longer period of time....

So this morning I got in my Paragraph and it happened to be on Organizing children's playthings... Oh - this is the struggle of my world! Cleaning up My kids toys - And I have realized it's partly my fault that our toy room is such a mess all the time...

For those of you who do not have the Book "the Ultimate Career" Here is a little bit from the book I enjoyed this morning....

"Children are precious, but it requires a lot of prioritizing and patience to raise them. They are bent on missions of destruction. They can spill, splash, scatter, mix up, mess up, and undo your day's work in a minute's time. They seem to specialize in causing clutter. Such Clutter, however, is not part of the problem. Scattered toys are not usually a sign of neglect; they can be evidence of growth, development and good times for children. However, they should gradually be taught to manage their clothing and toys and to clean up after themselves. It is a slow process. A young child can be expected to pick up about as many items as he or she is years old, so you do not get much help from a three year old. The training program and the ultimate results can be greatly enhanced,
however by these few tips:"

Keep the playroom de-junked

Throw away broken toys

Give away Surplus toys

Assign a "Home" for each toy

in addition to helping keep things neat,

this system reassures children, who find

security in order and routine

Create organizers for things

Be consistent in having the children 'help"

put their play things away at the end of

each play period or at the end of the day.

(Pg 19-20 of "The Ultimate Career")

I Thought it was interesting that they said you could expect a child to pick up as many items as they are old --- I usually refuse to pick up my kids toy room - The kids do pick up the whole disaster themselves with my coaching ---- But Recently we have been cleaning the toy room like this --- the kids take turns picking up 5 things - and we have this little rebounder excersize trampoline in their toy room - so while one kid is picking up their 5 things the other kid is jumping on the trampoline - It has been nice to not have to beg them to clean their toy room - It is more like a game - than anything - And they are always so proud of themselves by the end - and they have used up a lot of energy on their little trampoline!
I found a great article on

Sorting and Storing your Child's Artwork

The picture above is how we hang our kids pictures and things - IT is just 3 yard sticks 9 bulldog clips and 9 screws ( I just threw a screw through the hole in the bulldog clip and thru the yard stick to attach them to the wall) so for about $9 dollars or so I have a great place to hang the kids artwork and papers and I think it looks cute on the wall in their toy room or bedroom. I know some people who take a photo of all the artwork - and put it either on a blog or a photo album - I personally think I will do the blog - because then you can absorb it into a blog book and have all the artwork in one book to enjoy forever rather than having it all cluttering up your house.

Other great publishing sites:
LuLu
Shutterfly

Funny Cuz' it's True....

I Started reading the book "The Ultimate Career" Again --- 

Thought this was funny because it is 

true of my home at this very moment...

Are You living in C.H.A.O.S? ------

Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!

I think right now it's more like give me at least a days notice before you can come over Syndrome... This is kind of a hard situation I am in, while trying to get my house in order - we are trying to get our basement finished - so part of our house is under construction - I am everyday waiting on construction - electric guys - plumbers - so that I can put my house back into together! I cannot wait to have this extra space - But in the mean time everything that was in the basement is tucked into nooks and cranneys of the house and the garage - Oh I cannot wait to tackle that garage when the weather gets a little better! Hopefully the Basement will be done by then so that the Job will be a little easier!

Sarah - Chapter 2

• It only takes 21 days to become a better me!
• In labeling your pantry if you wanted to get more visual I would suggest you get clear address labels and find food graphics and then label the shelf with the picture and name of food.
• Store Recipes in page protectors in a 3 ring binder so they are protected
• Dirty kitchen towels - put in an enclosed bucket with solution (Amy is going to find out?)
• Important Documents also need to be copied and put into your 72 hour kit
• Make 2 copies of all digital pictures and then place a copy at another home or else put them onto a zip drive
• Have a designated "family desk" for all to use and that could be the place to hold your children's files with their artwork, school papers, etc.
• Have a set of scriptures in your car along with another book to read as you wait
• Have a collapable cooler bag in the back of your car for those times that you need a place to cool items
• Have a nice basket placed in the back of your car for return items, movies or books
• Thank you cards - write them when impressed and then wait a couple of days to send it off to the person.
• Filing cabinets - Find wood filing cabinets so that you can repaint them to your decor
• "Pick it up don't pass it up!"
• 2 sheet sets per bed in the household