A step towards simplicity...

Toys. With three kids, the toys get out of control. For the last 5 years, I've sorted through the toys 2-3 times per year giving away at least a full kitchen trashbag full, usually two. The toys are either broken, missing parts, or just not near as interesting to my children as I thought they might be. :)

Today was one of those stressful days when I'd finally had enough of trying to help the girls manage the mess and instead decided it was just NOT a manageable amount. I'd planned to clean and reorganize my own room that desperately needs it, but instead I spent 3 hours in the family room with D and the girls going through every puzzle and every toy.

We assembled two full kitchen bags to give away and three buckets of toys to rotate to the basement for the time being. The family room is once again manageable.

I can't help but feel embarrassed, though. My children are lucky kids to have such an inventory of toys. However, I have to get it under control if I'm going to have any hope of teaching them the value of what they have.

Last year before Christmas, I'd already decided that we would no longer get out of control with gifts. This year I'm even more convinced; there will be one special present from Santa Claus, one present from us, and the girls will give each other one gift (still need to figure that out--it will be something meaningful, not just purchased, perhaps made). Now if I can convince the grandparents to not go crazy and choose one special thing.

We've already pared down at birthdays. We usually have a donation party for the charity of the girls' choice or insist that none of her friends bring gifts and instead just come and celebrate. The girls always get a gift from us and a gift from other family members...that's plenty!

Maisie did ask me the other day if the baby was going to give her a gift like before...ah to figure that one out! We've always had the baby give her older sister(s) a gift and vice versa...any ideas for something simple?? In past years, it's been a doll from the baby to the sister(s) and from the sisters a combined gift of a stuffed animal (usually made at Build-A-Bear, which gives the girls a chance to put some effort into it).