I knew I was needing to get this done soon because the back half of the playroom is where Dawson's schoolroom will be this year. The problem? ... this!
Brynne's "house" was right where our desks needed to be. And the toy tubs were overflowing with junk!
On Monday I bought several Sterlite tubs with lids. I've found this to be a great way to store "like" toys. I then store them in the storage room off the playroom and when the kids want to play with certain toys, I can just pull out the appropriate tub. Organized play .. I love it!
It was right about ** here ** that I started to meltdown!
I didn't even know where to start! I told Brynne that I thought it would be wise for her and Eli to stay downstairs away from me because I was very frustrated that I was having to sort through these buckets, which were the complete result of them just throwing toys in them with no thought all these times I've asked them to clean up the playroom.
I had many buckets where the insides looked like this ... Look at that mish-mash of toys!!!
It's no wonder they can't even find that one particular toy they are looking for!!
At the end of several hours I had this pile of tubs (still waiting for distribution of toys from Eli and Brynne's rooms before they get stored away. Toys always tend to make their way in mass exodus from the playroom to their rooms downstairs. That cleaning and distribution will occur tomorrow. We have titled tubs of "animals", "castle", "cars", "girl toys", "Fisher Price", "Batman, Superman, Spiderman", etc.)
After the tubs were stacked, the back end of the playroom was ready for the schoolroom construction to begin.
Here is Phase I ... the desks.
We will add shelves, bulletin and white boards, books, supplies and a world map, hopefully some color ... and eventually a teacher and student.
For now, though, the teacher needs a break!
That's exactly what I was doing yesterday! Jeff's job was bought out and they didn't need their company lockers anymore so he bought them for 25 dollars. Yesterday we sorted through two rooms and put things in their own lockers but then I went all crazy and locked them all. They now have to have permission from me for a toy because I have to unlock it. A little over-bored maybe but I have sorted toys and tried different ways of storing so many times that I just want to throw them all away (done some of that too). I can't stand tripping over everything just to kiss the kids goodnight!
ReplyDeleteToday is all about cleaning our room and making "school" games for the kids. Could be fun.....
I hope you are doing well. I think of you often. Thank you for being there for me last year
When my kids were smaller, we would do that. Go through and reorganize everything. All of a sudden they would love to play in their toy room!! It's amazing how much funner it is to play with something when you have all the pieces!. Then eventually, they'd get messed up again and they'd need me. It's like it's too overwhelming for them when it gets so bad. I can remember feeling the same way...frustrated! The same thing happens now, it's just not polly's and sweet streets. It's cloths and flip flops!! Three girls are hard. Good job on the toy room. It's probably a big load off your shoulders!
ReplyDeleteChristie
Great job Nicole! Sounds like it was overwhelming at first but you got it done! I can't wait to see the rest of the school room. Sounds like you have some great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a feat! Great job organizing. I am a lover of bins for toy storage!
ReplyDeleteCan you come organize Caroline's room? Haha! Her bins are overflowing with junk, and I am dreading the big clean out!
ReplyDelete