Collector

As you already know, we have nine kids.

It just seems like kids require a lot of stuff.

The kids have a very generous Nana and my parents are not exactly stingy with the material things either.

And, just so you don't think I'm pointing the finger of blame on them, I have bought my fair share of toys too.

We had A LOT of toys.

They were separated into different bins but even though the kids were not supposed to get out more then one bin at a time...they did anyway.

Then stuff would get all mixed up...

And strung all over...

I'd step on those stupid little lego pieces...

Or LiteBrite pieces.

I spent countless hours picking up stuff...

Sorting stuff...

One day I decided...

I did not want to be a collector of stuff...I wanted to be a collector of memories.

And when the stuff gets in the way of the making of the memories...

It's time for a change.

You may want to sit down before viewing the next couple of pictures.

I almost didn't show you these.

Cuz it makes me look bad.

And who wants that?

We have a good sized game room.

Here it is in all it's unorganized gory glory.


Told ya it was bad.

We couldn't even use the space.

So...

I got tough.

I got mean.

I took 75% of the toys and sold them on Craigslist.

It was actually fun.

Here is how it looks now.

Speaking of Craigslist...

I bought this cute train table for $25.

But, since the kids never used it, I was going to get rid of it.

Then, I discovered that my large deluxe felt boards fit perfectly on the top.

And we put the small extra boards and felt pieces in the drawers.

Much better!

Yes, the air hockey table is upside down.

No, we are not trying to mimic Alice in Wonderland.

Corey is just fixing the legs, which cracked when the boys "Not Me" drug it clear across the room.

Just keeping things real.

My dad got us a free slate top pool table.

Apparently when it is piled up with stuff you are unable to play it.

Who knew?

These are the toys/puzzles/games/books that we kept.

The boxes sitting there are full of new speakers that are waiting, patiently, to be installed in the ceiling.

Other then that, it is all kid's stuff.

Much more manageable.

Because, after all, I want to collect more memories.

Not stuff.