So with both boys being in school next year, Eric and I figured that they needed a more “official” work area. As it currently stands, Sam’s desk is in the living room, spending most of its existence covered in stuff. He’s done his homework, for the most part, at a lap desk on the landing between the stair flights – don’t ask me why; it’s just what he chose to do. While I’m not anticipating Gabe having much homework as a kindergartner, there’s not enough room at that little lap desk to accommodate two little workers, so another option is a good idea.
I’ve been clearing out the playroom. As Eric described it, the playroom was “where toys go to not be played with,” anyway; the boys would grab toys from it and bring them downstairs to play, but mostly they’d play with what was already downstairs. Anytime I attempted to make the room more attractive to them, they’d quickly cover every available inch of floorspace with toys…and then abandon the room again.
So now I’m removing and giving away or donating the toys they’ve outgrown, organizing and crating up the toys we’re keeping but which don’t get much playtime anymore, and generally creating a more usable space for work. So far, it’s been a great deal of work with little obvious payoff, but I’m getting there. Today, I intend to clear out the bookshelf in there of all the board books and books we don’t need or want, paring it down to a level that can be held with a bookshelf that, say, isn’t a stiff breeze away from total collapse (why, we have one such shelf in the basement, in fact!). I also want to make a final effort to go through the toy boxes in the living room, checking for game and toy pieces that are missing from sets and games. If they’re not found there, those sets and games are out of here! (It’s hard being the ruthless one in the family, but it’s necessary. The coming stuffed animal purge is going to be the worst; I might even have to do that when even oft-sentimental Eric isn’t around…)
Good thing it’s cooler today; the past few days have been a sweaty piece of work.
I’m sure you know about this, but don’t throw any toys away, give them to the Racine Toys 4 Tots. Unlike most T-4-T programs that only want new and unopened toys, Racine’s takes used toys. Even games with missing pieces or toys that are a little battered, the volunteers fix them up, find pieces from other donated games to make one full game, and refurbish anything needed so that they are great toys for those less fortunate.
If you are going to give away of the kids board books, we’d be interested in some as we’re trying to build up a collection for Eli so that we can instill a love of reading and good family time around books.
If I see any books not chewed nastily or ripped up, I’ll save ‘em.
Most of what I’m junking goes beyond a “little” battered, but I’ll keep it in mind about the games! Thanks!