I have begun my quarterly cleaning of the boys' room

[janradder]

Yes, it is an occasion to cry.  I do it whenever their toys have become so mixed up and dismantled that it is next to impossible for it all to fit where it once did.  Each time, I am amazed at how much plastic crap they've accumulated -- little tiny pieces of plastic crap that come from lord knows where that have no home except the boxes and bins in Arie and Eiden's room.  As I clean and sort, sneezing on the dust and pet hair collected in the months since the last cleaning, I surreptitiously toss the crap that I know they no longer play with (but which would be met with obscene protest were they to realize I am discarding that which they otherwise wouldn't notice) and try to box away stuff that they no longer play with but which some other, younger kid might enjoy.  Every time I start this project I think to myself, "what the hell did I start this for?" and I feel like it will never be completed.  Looking at the work ahead, I think it's going  to be a two or three day project this time.

Comments

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

But I'm sure the boys are being a big help.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

They're always a great help when it comes to picking up their toys!

[st-writes.livejournal.com]

You are a brave man.
I've only been saying I'm going to do this for the past six months, but all I manage are the occasional commando raids, grabbing random crap to discard when Kai is not looking, usually only as much as I can fit in my two fists, as he might notice otherwise....

[janradder.livejournal.com]

I get most of my work done at night, after their in bed. That way I don't hear, "Are you throwing that broken plastic whatever in the trash? I've ignored it for the past eight months and have no idea what it is, but I really want to play with it." Followed by the requisite, "Nooooooo!" and tears.

[timalyne.livejournal.com]

I need to take a page from your book. The girls' room is completely exploded, even though I just stuffed everything into their closet...

[janradder.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much what happened here. When it gets to that I always feel I have to just go ahead and bite the bullet.

[rsheslin.livejournal.com]

Might I suggest a controlled burn?

[janradder.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, the cleansing spirit of fire -- if only I could.

[pierogi-queen.livejournal.com]

Two years ago, I finally bit the bullet and got rid of all the broken plastic pieces, discarded toys, headless super heroes, etc etc that had been sitting in boxes and bins in the garage and in drawers in the basement - fully expecting to hear "BUT I WANTED TO KEEEEEEEEEP THAT!!" . Of course, that was a silly thought, since the person who I expected to be wailing lives in Minneapolis and I am here in COnnecticut

You did remind me of how much I used to enjoy playing with all the toys so long ago as I did just what you're doing now.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

What?! You threw those out?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!