Drowning in Kid Stuff....

We're drowning in kid stuff around here. .....glurb. burble...gasp! HELP!

Whew! I managed to come up for some air. That's better. I can breathe again.



I admit that I haven't done the best job taming the Kid Stuff. I've got part of it sorted out but then the rest of it gets out of hand. It seems like I can never get on top of it. *sigh*


Here's what I've got so far (and the photos you're about to see is from a CLEAN kid area):



Now you see it....

and now you don't...

Kid play area- I like my clothesline with kid art. The red cloth chest (from Ikea) holds dress up clothes. I'm planning on putting a peg rack up to hang up the dress up clothes - some day!
The untamed mess. I used to love these open bins but now it's just not working out for us. I'm thinking of getting a cabinet (with doors!) to hide all this junk (I mean kid stuff).

Here's an idea I've seen others do: instead of keeping every single piece of artwork ever created I take photos (or scan) of the artwork and then create a photobook. I do keep some of the more interesting pieces (haven't found a great storage solution for those other than plastic bins with lids). Examples of a few pages from Annika's art book from last year (this is the first one I've completed)

This is in my utility room- I wish I had a Before photo of this room. It was an ankle breaking/twisting disaster! You couldn't step two feet into the room as there was this giant mound of Stuff (mostly related to the Never Ending Kitchen Island Project). I finally talked Mark into putting up shelves (bought on sale). I can't tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE having the stuff up on shelves! I'm not finished with the area BUT perhaps you'll notice - there are several boxes on the first shelf (up from the bottom) that are kid craft materials. I LOVE having the craft materials in their own bins! I don't have them labeled....and I doubt I will (it's see through anyway). My guess that what's stored in the bins will change over time. By the way- I don't allow my Girlies free reign in this room. I am usually the one to take kid craft stuff out. I just bought some spray paint to pretty up my pegboard that I'm planning on hanging up in here. I can't wait to take photos of this room when I'm finished prettying it up! (I hope that does happen). What I don't have photos of: I've got several large plastic bins with lids AND labels of clothing the girlies have outgrown. They're stored in the basement...or in our master bedroom closet (that's an oops).

Okay...so I've shown you (most) of our kid stuff. Now it's your turn to share! While you're at it why don't you visit The Shabby Nest and her The Taming the Kid Clutter Party! Come on! It'll be fun!