Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning--getting rid of the clutter.

Last year, I did not do any major decluttering in my home.  This year, I reaped the consequences.  I knew that we had a lot to deal with, but I never imagined how much it would be.  The job took several days of our spring break.  To be honest, I was amazed at how much my children were willing to get rid of.

I asked each child to seriously consider whether they still wanted certain toys and clothes.  

My oldest daughter, Iris, who is now a teenager, decided she didn't want her Care Bear collection so we bagged the stuffed animals.  She also didn't want the Barbie dolls anymore.  She boxed the dolls and their accessories, which filled up three boxes.  She also went through her closet, as I told her that she could only keep ten blouses.  My youngest, Kaelyn, decided she still wanted her Pet Shop collection but gave away a large chunk of her Barney collection.

My two girls share the room.  I had been thinking that the room was too cramped.  I noticed there was more room in the closet so I dragged the small dresser in there.  Now, my oldest could have a table in the room, just like the little one, who already had hers in there.  Iris can use it for her schoolwork and Netbook.

Then, I asked my boys to do the same.  A lot of shirts came out of their closets.  I asked them to keep a few dressy items.  Rafael finally let go of some of those small T-shirts.  I usually hand down the bigger clothes to him so those we put in a Rubbermaid tub. 

It was time to put the cold season's clothes away.

Since we were on the last days of winter, I started folding sweaters, long sleeve shirts and blouses, and sweatpants.  I placed those in plastic boxes.  I bunched up all the scarves, gloves, and hats into a container I made, too.  I did not have to declutter so much from my ow closet because I have had to do it continually when I buy new clothes.  You see, I have a tiny closet that can only house so much clothing. 

One of the biggest changes was splitting up the boys.  My husband mentioned it casually at dinnertime, and Gabriel was finally for it.  He needed the change because my younger son likes to read at night.  The light and noise were bothersome.  Hence, the shuffling of furniture began.

We did the minimal.  We moved Gabriel's bed, clothes, and chest of drawers out of one room and placed them in another.  We moved a computer and shelf (with books) out of the "classroom."  I asked my oldest if he was okay with all those books still in his new room, and he was fine with them.  I think he is very happy about having quiet and darkness at night.

I can't even describe the reorganization of books.  I had to move the subjects by hard bound and soft bound.  Yes, I'm that organized!  Hey, I worked at several libraries. We placed one larger bookcase in Rafael's room and added more books in it. 

Well, that's a little taste of what went on in our home this past Spring Break.  I hope it gives you all some ideas for your spring cleaning.

How about you, my readers?  Have your done your spring cleaning, yet?  There's still time.  I hope you don't put it off.  You might end up with a bigger pile when you finally get around to it.

My beloveds, may God bless you all with His peace.

This has been an entry for Family Fun Fridays.  I hope you enjoyed it.