Annual Toy Clean Up

This mama is sooooo over the toys.

I don't know how we even accumulated all of these things.

The more I started cleaning this summer the more I noticed....

we have a problem.

And, we have way too many duplicates.

Do we need 4 pairs of sunglasses?

We aren't the Kardashians.

Four Wrestling Rings?

Five John Cenas?

Contrary to popular belief, you can have too many John Cenas in your house.

I was able to bargain Connor down to three Cenas.

I know how important books are to early literacy,

but when one dumps six tubs just to get to No David No, it can be quite hard to keep it picked up and to keep things in good condition. 

Then there are the things we just have outgrown.

I went through each room, box, and closet carefully repeating the mantra... simplicity, simplicity, let it go.

Connor helped but Carlee didn't want to throw away a thing.

I had quite the prize box when I was finished.  

One of the things that remained hard for me to organize were the stuffed animals.  
I really hate stuffed animals but they have such sentimental value.  
 I just couldn't toss the frog Connor won at the fair with his grandparents, or the little bunny Darren brought home for Carlee, or the English bear from cousins. 


Neither one of them wanted to let go of any of the animals.

We once had a corner net hanging from the ceiling, but that didn't work when the kids wanted to get them down (or put them up) for play.  

Then I saw a cool Pinterest idea!

Empty a Bean Bag and replace with stuffed animals.  They can play when they want but zip them back in when finished.  

Then they can sit on the Bean Bag like normal.

I was not anticipating all the 'beans' from the bag.  They took over!!!

We had QUITE the mess.

We were picking those 'beans' out from every area of the house by the time we were done.

Connor said the Bean Bag chair didn't quite sit the same way, but it did fit around 30 stuffed animals!

Now the toy clean up is complete and clean up is much easier.

I have a slight container/tub obsession.

I always say in my classroom, as long as it's a contained mess, I'm good.

 I was so inspired, I've decided to go through every room in the house.

Remember, 

only save what you need, use, and love.

Unreasonable Parenting

I love my family, and I love to capture memories with them.
Taking pictures and storytelling is definitely a hobby for me.  
We also live in a time that offers such an easy way to share pictures.  (double like)

I thought it would be kind of funny to share some 'real life' moments.
You will plainly see from these photos that sometimes social media just doesn't capture these realities:  
1.  parenting is an ongoing battle  2.  I need a nap.  3. parents are very unreasonable.

For Example:

Dad was being very unreasonable by helping this guy adjust his helmet (which took longer than 2 minutes).  

So, this guy did it himself and got his helmet too tight .....and stuck.

She found an 18 month size dress that won't fit (3T), but she wants to wear it anyway!

He can't use a high kick to splash his sister in the face.

#unreasonable

This is 15 minutes after unloading the dishwasher.  As an unreasonable parent, I make many crazy demands, like not using a different cup every time we get thirsty.  Whyyyyy??

Here this poor girl has a broken heart. 

Her mother took three hours of time, gas, and hard earned wages to take her to Princess Camp.

Then she wouldn't let her take all the dresses home.  #unfair

This child's parent won't buy her $20.00 high heel shoes (5 sizes too big).

This is totally unreasonable.......

....and one must climb the magazine rack in protest!!!

Totally unreasonable to expect the jumping to go on in the big, huge ($$$) trampoline behind the house (and to use the furniture for sitting like normal humans).

#busted  #radicalparenting

Yes, you have to put the couch cushions back on the COUCH!!!!!!

(I just vacuumed.)

One popped bottom later, and one tiny tot turned into Gordan Ramsey.  

She took down the kitchen, because this really helps her case.

Because you don't feel like it, we will just let these wrestling men lay in the middle of the kitchen floor for the rest of my life.  

The fact that I alluded to boxing them up in the basement is TOTALLY crazy man.

Because, honey, your tired and all.........

It is so unreasonable to take off your bathing suit for a grocery trip.

Soooo....

you put your bathing suit on over your clothing.

Don't worry about if we look like homeless people, honey, as long as your happy.

Nothing about this says 'safety concerns'.

I'm a terrible parent.

I won't stop my lunch, get up, and hand over your chicken nugget....so far out of reach from your little hand.

Why isn't football in the house a good idea?

The pictures and items in the house are for decor...totally optional.

Taking Pictures

Most. Unreasonable.

Day Out

Our Day Out in pictures.