Too Much Stuff!

Yesterday, I didn't even get a chance to really sit down at the computer! I thought it would be a good idea to first pick up the toy room since a person couldn't walk in it without injuring yourself. I walked up there and started and then thought "Where do I even begin". The boys have started the summer off with chores. So I thought this would be their chores for the day to help mom clean. Then I decided to rearrange and do a total clean up of that room and then proceed to clean the rest of the house while I was at it... What was I thinking! Today I had a revelation! THEY HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF!!! I told them it was time to start getting rid of stuff that they don't play with and they have outgrown. We will give it to someone who needs it. I still had baby stuff! Those items went into storage. I was able to get some stuff down in their rooms which works out great now for quiet time while Jordan is napping. Also, it worked when they just wanted to be by themselves to play. They can go to their rooms and no one will bother them. Like mom, they also need some "me" time. I am hoping to have a large garage sale at some point but that seems daunting too. The church is having a yard sale in the fall so it all might just get donated to the church!
Cleaning a toy room with the boys presented some challenges. We kept finding toys it seemed they haven't seen for a long time, so it was hard to throw stuff out and put it away. I also decided since it is getting so hot and my runs have been late mornings with the boys on their bikes, I am not going to be able to do that everyday, that I needed a workout area. I moved everything away from the elliptical machine and made that area in the toy room all MOM'S! It has my mat, exercise tubes, ball and weights and machine.  After 4 hours of work and the carpet showing, we were able to get it all cleaned and organized and mom even has a workout area!
I think the boys actually appreciate it more knowing how long it took to clean, they were quick to pick stuff up when they were done with it.  Bonus they actually can find stuff and know where to put it back.
With us being outside most of the days, it is nice to have that room finally picked up.