You find dust bunnies in every corner ….and you just vacuumed the entire house three days ago.
While the rest of Rhode Island was out bike riding on this glorious spring-like day, we decided to dive in and spring clean our daughter’s room. Basketball season is over and we thought, “Why not. Today is a perfect day.” Or not.
I have no words to describe the things we found. Let’s just say the chocolate bunny I discovered lying headless in the back of her closet was not from this coming Easter. There were clothing tags, headbands, earrings, necklaces, drawings and enough pencils to fill the first floor of Staples. And this was just in her desk area.
I am the first to admit I am not naturally organized. Although I’m not by any means a hoarder, I do tend to hold on to certain things. There are days I wish Neicy Nash would return to Clean House for one more season just so she could stop by my house and show me some love.
Now, I do clean my own house, make my own beds and scrub my own toilets. But when you have two kids and a Golden Retriever that sheds a pound of fur when he walks by, it’s like brushing your teeth before devouring a bag of Oreos.
My little girl is a bright, creative girl and I’m proud of every drawing, bracelet, purse and pottery dish she has ever made. But when you start saving everything, the crud really adds up. And it makes you want to throw out everything. But we accomplished our goal. We worked with my daughter and made piles for everything from clothes to toys and hair elastics to erasers. We had her pick and choose what stays, what goes and what can be given to charity. And guess what? We did it! It felt so good when it was over and my back is killing me. But we did it.
And guess what we did when three girls from down the street came over to play? We sent them all outside to play. 😉
As a “children creation” hoarder, I have a little story to tell. I saved EVERYTHING and moved EVERYTHING when my husband and I moved. Twice. During the last move (last May), our son asked what all the boxes were from the attic (HE was carrying them from the attic. Poor guy!). I told him that this was all the stuff from all 4 kids’ childhoods… practically every art project and then some. These boxes literally filled our driveway. He had a plan… call Adam, Audrey and Jane and have them each go through their boxes. My kids are NOT hoarders, art or otherwise. They each ended up with one tiny box of personal stuff. We had a great time going through the stuff… but all those years of saving!? For tiny boxes!? Secret time… I’d do it again, but DO NOT recommend to anyone! xo
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I am so bad! I keep everything. I have a hard time letting go!
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I can relate as my daughter is very creative and we have art everywhere! I started taking pictures of her art work so she can have the memory Then we give the work to grandparents as gifts or the work finds its way to trash. She keeps a few special pieces which she can easily display among her creative, organized clutter! 🙂
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What a sweet gift…. and memory. Pictures of pictures. Yes!!! Thanks, Kristie!
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I so hear you on the dog fur! What is up- its everywhere these days! I so relate with this- I have 2 boys and a dog and cat, & I feel the same way! I am no hoarder either, but I find it hard to part with crafts and drawing the kids have made. I have heard if you take a photo with your phone and save it to Evernote you can keep everything you want and have a clutter free life. I haven’t yet done it, but it sounds like a great idea! 🙂
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Dog fur. Oh. M. Goodness. It IS everywhere! Every. Single. Day. Love that idea ….thanks!
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I am cracking up over the headless chocolate bunny. I looked under the girls’ beds last week and I almost had heart failure. I feel ya, girlie! I am the same way, too, with their artwork. everything is so special and beautiful, but at what point do you need to throw some of it away??? i can’t possibly keep every single thing all three kids make… but it does pain me to get rid of their creative work. yet, i have those days where i could get a huge garbage bag and throw away half of the playroom. I’m looking forward to a little spring cleaning around here!
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😉 I have one daughter. I can only imagine the mounds of artwork you have with three! I’m like you b/c I want to save all their works of art! I feel like the worst mom because I sometimes want to haul it all away! I did hear of a great idea where you take pictures of them with their artwork or their favorite stuffed animals. Then…bye bye. But… I think it’s easier said than done. I swear the bunny was headless – I was dying.
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We are planning on rearranging our living room and dining room this week, I don’t even want to think about what is under the couches.
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Don’t look. Just clean. I wish you all the luck… and Clean House-like courage, girl! 😉
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Can you come to my house and clean? 🙂
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😉
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