Simplifying- toys

My kids have more toys than they know what to do with.

Literally they must not know what to do with them because they never play with them. 

Seriously. Well kind of. 

They love playing with rocks outside, trash, and crafting supplies and a few toys. 

While they may not really love playing with toys (more than a few seconds at least) they do enjoy taking them out.

All of them.

And mixing up all of the little pieces from one set to another. 

So when they actually go to play with a toy they can never find the pieces that go with it. 

Which is not very fun. 

So the other day (actually almost 2 weeks ago!) we pulled out all of our toys and started boxing them up. I let each kid pick out one set to keep inside and the rest we put in the garage.

Mackenzie chose her Dora dollhouse (and accessories to go with it), Madelyn chose her baby dolls (bottles, etc.) and baby stroller and Wesley chose an Imaginext ship (with the men, etc. that go with it).  And Hudson got a box of baby toys. 

And I know what your thinking "My kids would go crazy if I packed up all their toys"...that's what I was thinking too. 

But no one complained about it 

at all. 

They were really excited to choose their toy and even helped me pack them up. 

I also let Wesley choose 5 stuffed animals (since they are his fav) and we packed up the rest. 

Now our house looks less like this (above)

and more like this. 

so. much. better. 

And the best part is...

the kids are actually enjoying their toys and playing with them. 

So funny how less really is more. 

*I also let the kids keep their dress up, play tents, puzzles, coloring/crafting supplies and games inside. 

And after 2 weeks a few more toys have made their way in from outside but I haven't heard any complaints about not having a certain toy or wanting more. My plan isn't to keep them all outside forever but to rotate them out every now and then. I tried to put each of the kids toy "sets" in storage tubs (Polly Pockets, dinosaurs, Squinkies, Barbies, cars, etc.) so each kid can switch out their tub for a new one easily. The idea is to have fewer toys inside at a time and so far it is working great!  

How do you manage the toys in your home?

Simplifying

Lately life has felt anything but simple.

In fact most days I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water. 

I feel stretched thin. 

Like there's not enough of me to do all that needs to be done to keep a family of 6 running. smoothly. 

I've tried different ways of organizing our things and different approaches to managing the laundry.

And making a schedule, getting the kids to help, etc., etc.

And life still feels chaotic, cluttered, too full and busy and crazy.

And at times just plain overwhelming.

And for months I have been trying to put my finger on exactly what was causing this sudden feeling of stress.

(Just for the record I don't feel like it's having baby number 4.) 

It more of a feeling of always being behind. 

Like there is just too much to do and not enough time or energy to do it. 

 I think part of it has to do with the fact that we are always busy. 

too busy. 

and for a month or so I have been trying to protect our calendar, say no to things and schedule days where we are just home playing and doing stuff that needs to be done around the house.

I've also been praying and asking the Lord for wisdom and He has been teaching me a lot about just how much I need Him (which is a lot) and just how much He delights in helping me.

And then I just so happened to read this blog post/series

all while I have been reading this book (so good!) 

and it dawned on me 

we have too much stuff. 

Too many toys, too many clothes, too much stuff.

period.

We need to simplify. everything.

So that's what we are going to do. 

Toys, clothes, dishes, towels, craft supplies, meals, etc.

It's like a breath of fresh air already.