Friday, May 21, 2010

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.

16 comments:

Lisa Howard said...

That is an amazing transformation! Good for you!!!! I'm working on a reorganization project myself...I am planning on opening a daycare and have had to convert our family room into a play room. It's not very big, so I'm having to be creative with our space.

Good job ~ I love reading about your life!

extreme personal measures said...

Stopping by from Trendy Treehouse's Follow Me Friday to say Hi!

Stop by. I have several giveaways:
E-Mealz
List PlanIt
EvoraPlus

http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com

Adrienne said...

It's ok showing what it looked like before because you had the motivation to change it. Especially finding the time to do it all with 9 kids. I have one on the way and I don't have the motivation to even vacuum! It looks great!

Remodelaholic said...

Just stopping in and looking around from Follow Friday! And just became your newest follower! Yea! Hope you stop by and return the favor!

My blog www.remodelaholic.com is all about interior design and remodeling there are some great tutorials so you can get the look you want on a budget! We also have a party every Friday to show off your stuff! And Sunday for Recipes links.

Heather said...

Wow. That looks like alot of work. And....Wow you still allow legos and light bright after NINE? I banned Legos at two kids. Mean Mom.

Nice to meet you and I hope you will stop by sometime.

Looking Glass Jewels said...

Way to go on tackling that room! I have rooms like that (not filled with toys, just junk) and I'd invite you over to clean it, but with nine kids you have enough to do already!

I wanted to let you know that I have given you a blog award! Hop on over to check it out! http://lookingglassjewels.blogspot.com/2010/05/trendy-blog-award.html

Thank you, and thanks for being so awesome!

~Amanda

Patricia L said...

How motivational...I need to do a big toy purge too! We don't have a toy/game room in our house so that means our overabundance of toys is taking over much of our actual living space.

Susie Buetow said...

Congrats that looks awesome! It feels so good to be a collector of memories!!!

So I'm your newest blog follower thanks to the Friday Blog hop!!! Stop in and say HI to me at

Susieqtpies
Scraps of Life

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2010/05/follow-friday-link-up-blog-hops-and.html

Katie said...

Wowzers.....your game room looks amazing. We're spring cleaning at our house right now, and I'm feeling the desire to be that brutal.

Anonymous said...

uWow! It's like a whole new space. Good for you! With nine kids I didn't actually think the before pictures were that bad.

Hi I'm lagging behind from the Friday blog hop - but I made it and I'm your newest follower. Hope you come visit my blog and return the follow. Can't have too many blogging buddies if you ask me. Thanks.

http://hauplight.blogspot.com/

coryshay said...

I love getting rid of stuff...it looks awesome! You did a great job! And FYI...I didn't judge you on the before pictures because that's what my office looks like

*blush*

Kansas Amy said...

Wow! You have been busy! Don't you just love craigslist!?

Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic said...

I remember those days well, too many toys, too many pieces parts, and it looked like your room even with only 2 kids! You did good to get rid of the excess. Whenever I did that the kids never even noticed that stuff was gone...I used to bag things up and stick them in the attic to see if anyone would miss them. After 6 months, I got rid of them permanantly.
Rose

Ginger said...

Amazing results, Becky! I have been making the kids watch the TV show "Hoarders" lately because even though our house doesn't actually look like the ones they show, it feels like it to me. I can't wait to show them your "before" and "after" pics. Thanks for the inspiration!

One Life Many Journeys said...

Award time. I have given you The Versatile Blogger Award.

Save the button as a jpg and paste it into your blog.

http://onelifemanyjourneys.blogspot.com/2010/05/someone-finds-me-versitile.html

Connie said...

I just found your blog...YOU ROCK!
Nine kids and you still have time to blog?

Amazing transformation, great job purging.

I am your newest follower.