I realized a long time ago that the paper/ keepsake/Very Important Document deluge each year had to be managed. I have four kids; that's a lot of Thanksgiving turkeys made out of paper plates and construction paper. I needed to get on top of it.
I came up with a system that has been miraculous: first, because it may be the only organizational system I've stuck with for longer than 15 minutes, and second, because it really works.
Every year I get a plastic bin with a lid (roughly twice the size of a shoe box). I keep it in the floor of my pantry. Every year, as important papers float past me, I stuff them in the box.
At year end, the box is invariably flowing over the sides. I sort through it, culling away the things that really aren't keepsake-worthy. With the right amount of stuffing and sorting, I'm able to get each box to the point that the lid will snap on. If it won't snap shut, it means I have to do more culling. (And I also need to find more reasons to use the word "culling", because seriously, what a great word.)
(And no, I don't have the stuff sorted by kid. Everyone's keepsakes--all six of us--go in the same box. After my funeral someday, my grieving offspring will just have to sort and fight amongst themselves for the construction paper turkeys.)
The box then heads to the deepest recesses of my daughter's closet, to join its cohorts from previous years:
I hesitate to show you that picture, because it seems a little misleading, as if all my closets are neatly stacked and labeled.
They're not.
In the interest of transparency, here's the other side of that same closet:
And here (brace yourselves) is the floor of the closet:
That stuff you see on the floor is dried acrylic craft paint, the result of an incident that easily tops my list of Worst Parenting Moments, a moment so heart-stopping and terrible I still cannot, a year later, discuss it in detail without inducing an anxiety attack. There was paint involved, and carpet, and a very cheeky three-year-old girl. Let us never speak of it again.
Anyway, my main point is that limiting myself to one box of keepsakes per year has been a very manageable way to control all the stuff.
(And my secondary point is that you shouldn't inadvertently leave acrylic craft paint within reach of a three year old.)
: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you'd like to share? I'd love for you to join us! First timers, check out the guidelines here. Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST tonight, in order to keep away the spammers!
Was your link deleted? Click here.
1. Blue Castle (Boots to Bookends)
2. The Well-Rounded Woman (get more back rubs)
3. The Diaper Diaries (google alerts)
4. Audra Krell (Santa Storage)
5. We are THAT family (Organizing Giveaway)
6. Abundant Frugal Life (Raising Financially Fit Kids)
7. kitchendoor (baked eggs!)
8. Life At The Circus (Family Fun)
9. Muses of Megret (new year reading lists)
10. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (One Room At a Time)
11. And how did that work for you?
12. Queen mother blog (Pantry inventory)
13. Mother Hen (breakfast secret weapons)
14. Lisa@ BlessedwithGrace(Emergency Lovie Surgery)
15. Carol
16. Purvi\'s Pensieve (First time!: No More Pesky Food Stains)
17. Amy @ Finer Things (Da Best Mom Ever)
18. Mother Hen (coupon success)
19. Green Baby Guide (FREE gym alternatives)
20. HEALTHY LOW-CARB DIETING-Kelly the Kitchen Kop
21. A Simple Walk (the deeper significance of toilet paper)
22. Smockity Frocks (Packing Away Christmas)
23. Happy To Be At Home (moms of littles)
24. It Feels Like Chaos (Privilege Chart)
25. Five J\'s (A Useful Kitchen Tool)
26. Amy (Managing Baby Stuff)
27. Three Bay B Chicks (FREE MAGAZINES!!)
28. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Theme Weeks)
29. Extreme House Wifeing (Babys 1st Birthday)
30. Kim @ Forever Wherever (Easy Bowl Game Snack)
31. Kari (mommy quiet time)
32. Jean Stockdale (Memorizing Scripture)
33. Joy @ Five J\'s (Fly to BlissDom for Cheap)
34. EveryChapter (bento lunches)
35. Margot (Easy Cleaning of Crockpots
36. Milehimama (Free health/mood tracker)
37. marina (movie reviews)
38. Kelley (Pet Hair Removal)
39. Garibay Soup (Building a STRONG Family)
40. Kerri (Gift Bags)
41. CarolinaMama (Love Dare)
42. Cooking During Stolen Moments ($300 monthly grocery shopping)
43. Mkriggs (Label Your Cords)
44. Barbara H. (Couponing once a month)
45. Jane (Hardwood Floor Tip)
46. Hillary (Toy storage that works!)
47. Ann Kroeker (steel cut oatmeal bonus info)
48. Mandy (Liquid Bandage for cold sores!)
49. Mom on the Run
50. col @ life by muse (changing your life game)
51. Beth (Quarter Fold Method)
52. Sandy Toes(Special K)
53. Rina @ Into Still Waters (finding pictures for my blog)
54. Many Little Blessings (Motivation to Clean, Plus Giveaway!)
55. Heather (cleaning product review)
56. Heaven In The Home
57. se7en (living with a diabetic)
58. Amber @ Classic Housewife (mandatory nap time!)
59. Melonie@Momma&More (cheap, green, clean!)
60. Lisa (Action Figures!)
61. Em @ Gratitude. Simplicity. Frugality (Ornament Storage)
62. Thrifty Jinxy (Healthy Eating on a Budget)
63. Stretch Mark Mama (Industrial Strength Dishwashing Gloves)
64. JanMary, N Ireland party craft for 11 yo girl
65. mom2my9 (Girls)
66. Mama Bear (Kid Tips)
67. Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet-Yummy and Healthy Palm Sugar!
68. Just Pure Lovely (weird. entertaining. cheap.)
69. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (scrapbooking Christmas greetings)
70. Janelle @ Now Play Happy (Ikea happiness)
71. Kristine (Making Reading Fun)
72. SARAH @Real Life (Video: Organizing Laundry/Craft Room)
73. momsfrugal -laptop in the kitchen
74. Gina @ Six in the Country (Organize with Style)
75. The Gluten-Free Homemaker (free blogging software)
76. Melissa @ Miss K Cooks (Quiche for Dinner)
77. MIchelle@Momstoppable (Great lunchmeat at a great price)
78. Mandi (Organizing Kids\' Toys)
79. Kay (pretty Baker\'s Twine)
80. A Frugal Housewife (Easy Meal Time)
81. exhale. return to center. (my monthly inspiration binder)
82. Kate\'s Kitchen: coffee cup sleeve
83. BusyMom (keeping up on laundry)
84. Free Diet and Exersice Help
85. Fiddledeedee (Easy Mail Stop)
86. Kim (Trash to Treasure)
87. Leanne - Getting kids interested in school
88. Sarah Mae (Modesty Blog Fashion Show!)
89. Susan (document your childhood memories)
90. Sarah (Kid Resolutions: Organization & Cleanliness)
91. Sarah (recipe organization)
92. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (finances)
93. Mandi (Wii Fit Mommies)
94. Lily On the Fly (Birthday Card Pilgrimage)
95. Wildwood Mama (Hand soap)
96. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (Morning Routine)
97. Edi (New Year Family Plan Meeting)
98. Minimalist Mommy (dish rag basket)
99. flexible dreams (Bible Challenge)
100. Mom Of Faith (Reducing My Grocery Bill)
101. Petersonclan (Affordable School Copies)
102. Stop the Ride! (wall stickers)
103. Bailey\'s Leaf (Fire Box Updating)
104. Sandra (resolutions for my boys)
105. Leaving Excess: Organizing Kids\' Hand Me Down Clothing
106. Alicia (resolution makeover)
107. Counting Sprinkles (Save Money)
108. Monica (make your own duvet- frugal room makeover)
109. TrentTribe (Peanut Butter Pie)
110. KLee (easy resolutions)
111. Becky (organizing with Google Calendars)
112. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (An Organized Craft Space)
113. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (StumbleUpon! It\'s great!)
114. Fairion - Sewing
115. MC (What to do with Christmas Cards)
116. Jen (Cheap Valentines gifts)
117. Everything Mom ( Saving money through organization)
118. Camian Academy (Kitchen Towels from Costco)
119. Beth/Mom2TwoVIkings (EZ kids cleanup strategy)
120. Chief Family Officer (Magic Eraser)
121. Gina (Highchair clean-up)
122. Kim @ Beanish & Other Languages I\'m Learning - Preparing Kids
123. Mo (Coir coco peat discs)
124. Kristen@frugal antics (stone soup)
125. "Cents"able Momma (Get rid of junk mail)
126. Tara (easy bandaid removal)
127. Jena (Organizing Mommy) when I\'m blue..
128. Wendy (Round Robin Thank You)
129. Brooke (help with keeping resolutions)
130. Michelle (Unlikely Moisturizer)
131. Janelle (the almost-free lunch!) |
132. Olivia (7 minute birthday card)
133. Jennifer (make it thru winter)
134. Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers (Preschool Math)
135. BeyondJustMom (revisiting parenting principles)
136. Sonshine(shoe racks)
137. Jennifer (using up snacks and cereals)
138. Kara (Daily Product Storage)
139. Lynn (weight loss)
140. Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home (menu planning supplies)
141. Traci @ The Sullivan Sitcom (family calendar)
142. Vicki Arnold (weight loss)
143. Maria (Reuse Containers)
144. Linda\'s Lunacy(Holiday Reminder Notes)
145. whimsy (remember everything)
146. Suzie (Reading to your kids)
147. Michelle (homeschool preschool)
148. Grace (exercise for couch potatoes)
149. Teal - Moms Crafty Life
150. Heaven In The Home (shopping with coupons)
151. FishMama @ LifeasMOM (A Tale of a Turkey)
152. Deni (Linen Closet Organization)
153. Lori L. (Craft Clutter Solution)
154. Christy (freezer cooking)
155. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (the solution for washing kids socks!)
156. Abigail\'s Mommy (Forget your mail)
157. Gin (Potty Training)
158. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE- (mmmm, smells good)
159. Lizzie (an easy "table")
160. Janelle (block internet ads)
161. Donna@The Frugal Mom Blog("Fast Food Night" At Home)
162. REPURPOSED (Frugal zipper repair solution)
163. Raise Them Up (Wax Paper Handyman\'s Trick)
164. Kirstin: Reducing Garbage
165. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (cold solution & immune booster: emergen-C)
166. Julie - Homemade Cleaning Wipes
167. MamaHenClucks(Baskets)
168. JessieLeigh (Storing Baby Clothes)
169. Sherry @ Lamp Unto MY Feet (Baking in Smaller Quantities and a Crouton Recipe)
170. Rachael @ Beans & Rice (cheap but gourmet tasting beans and rice)
171. Amanda @ and amanda writes (Mr Clean Magic Erasers)
172. Jeni (Simplifying Toddler Bedtime)
173. His Girl (Finding a Church)
174. Homeschool Classroom (Homemade Rice Center for Preschoolers)
175. Amy @ Momstoolbox (HEALTHIER SWEET SNACK IDEAS)
176. Upstatemomof3
177. Gloriana (thinking ahead)
178. Jewel (Storing Leftovers)
179. Jerri (Brownie Recipe)
180. Mommin It Up (Yummie Tummie and GIVEAWAY)
181. Shannon (printable menu planner)
182. Amyswandering (Cookies for Breakfast)
183. Dawn@Pshelovesyou
184. Tari at The Grass Widow\'s Diary (recycled Wednesdays)
185. Amanda (serving trays)
186. Cammie (breakfast idea)
187. Christine (finger knitting)
188. Innkeeper Seely
189. Meshellyn (coupon organization & cool link)
190. Kara(the ma\'am,sir debate)
191. Rosie @ Home and Heartwork (15 minute meal assembly)
192. Suz (BigCrumbs)
193. Amy (photo postcard thank-yous)
194. Ginger
195. I like to call it controlled chaos! (sock keeper)
196. Kimberlee (eating out and playing games)
197. Nicol (record of items)
198. The Thrifty Mommy- Date Night!!
199. Abbi (organizing my letter supplies)
200. Erin K. (keep track of WFMW tips)
201. Ginger (Homeschool Assignment Sheets - 1st timer sorry for triple posting)
202. MemeGRL (holiday review)
203. Liz (Reusable Shopping Bags)
204. Mandy (Felt Play Food)
205. Saving Money Ideas (Goodreads)
206. Crayl (Little relationship savers)
207. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (Recipe Organization)
208. What Moms Want To Know (Snacks for Moms and Kids)
209. Heather @ Not a DIY Life (staying in a hotel w/ a toddler)
210. Blessed with Olive Plants (fixing furniture)
211. Aunt LoLo (How to REALLY help with a new baby!)
212. Kristine (Ready to clean out car in an instant)
213. Frugal Fulfillment ($1.00 School Lunches!)
214. Sarahlcc(getting my kids to drink water)
215. The Simple Life of the Boreings (Organization with a Cork Board!!)
216. Lalena@Finding Freedom (Out of Sight - Out of Mind)
217. Catherine (keeping kids moving)
218. K :) (Eyebrow Tweezing)
219. Sandwiched (Smelly laundry fix)
220. Amy (red sauce, red shirt)
221. Sabrina@Raising Oaks of Righteousness (What to do with Christmas cards)
222. Mary (hotel tips with little ones)
223. Amy @ Our Bumpy Road
224. Angela @ Diapers & Stilettos (Fielding A Compliment)
225. Jill (photo storage)
226. Marianne@Writer-Mommy (Make Your Own Planner)
227. EmilyV @ Random Ramblings (Haircuts at Home)
228. Jen (Cure Washer Odor Giveaway!)
229. Day (I don\'t feel like cooking meal)
230. Wani (no DVD cases!)
231. More Than Rubies ~ Seasonal Storage
232. Lori @ enjoy the process (Photo Editing)
233. Boysmum2 (Removing Tar)
234. emily (capital one)
235. Lindsay at not2us.net/losers (Weight Loss)
236. Kristin-The Goat (Super Concentrated laundry supplies)
237. Christine @ Lily of the Valley (Simple Scrapbooking
238. Carol ~ I Throw Like a Girl (CollegeZapps)
239. Dodge&Weave (calendars)
240. Amanda (image resizing QUICK and EASY!)
241. Tara @ Feels like Home (celebrating Epiphany)
242. Paula (Steps not Resolutions)
243. Kathryn (Tired Toddlers)
244. Free 2 Be Frugal (Exercise TV)
245. Penny Raine
246. Stephanie\'s Mommy Brain (menu planning)
247. Sarah (first time clean counter top!)
248. Cathy | Mommy Motivation
249. Jessica-XL Ziploc bag
250. Melanie (Winter Blues)
251. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (Filing bills & receipts)
252. Jacquelyn @ Because I Said So! (the perfect present)
253. Reading Rosie (Giveaway)
254. Kelli (the best baby wipes)
255. Laane (peeling,slicing,carrots)
256. Linda (quick de-cluttering)
257. Melinda @ The Nest Egg (Make Leather Look New Again)
258. Rookie Mom 101 (Funny Town Names)
259. MaryBeth (Car Fresh Scent)
260. Tracylea (organizing mail time)
261. Rebekah @ No Place I\'d Rather Be (garage sale)
262. Sarah (Corrected Link - Kid Resolutions) |
Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
Links are now closed. Please join us next week!
I never know what to do with the hand turkeys either! Thanks for the great idea, I love the self imposed "culling" and yes, it really is a lovely word.
Posted by: Audra Krell | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I really needed this!
Posted by: The (Almost) Amazing Mammarino | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Great tips! Both of them. I currently have a file for drawings the kids make that I think are must keepers... but now that one kid is 3 and they are actually able to draw, I need something bigger. This is a great idea.
And I too have learned the hard way about acrylic paint and toddlers...but that is another post for another day.
Posted by: LifeAtTheCircus | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Your idea could very well solve my biggest problem. My boys supply me with at least 4 pieces of their artwork each day. Some days it's 10 times that. Maybe now I won't feel so guilty about throwing so much of it away if I save the best. :)
Thank you!
Posted by: Blue Castle | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Now that's a story I'd like to hear....I have this little club, ya know, for THOSE families. it's called The Family Tree. Perhaps our branches mingle?
Posted by: We are THAT family | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:49 PM
You are a more sentimental mother than I am. I send those turkeys to Grandma. She claims to love and cherish each and every "masterpiece" my daughter creates--and I don't have to store anything!
Posted by: Rebecca (Green Baby Guide) | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:54 PM
That's a great system! My problem is that we only have one kid so I end up feeling like we should be saving everything, but I really still should be "culling" through his stuff! :)
Posted by: Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:55 PM
D'oh! Forgot to include my topic in my linky. That's what I get for trying to better my status from that of bowels of the triple digits to that of the more noble teens.
Oh well. At least there's no acrylic paint on my rug.
Of course, I never do manage to get to the culling stage with my boxes of keepsakes. The incoming deluge does slow down after elementary school. Something you can look forward to.
You rock. (But not in my dryer.)
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Great tip - I will have to file it for future reference! Thank you for hosting WFMW! It's my first time.
Posted by: Purvi's Pensieve | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:00 PM
You've done a great job! I just have one large box per child with their name on it. I can't really tell you how old they were when they made each item. Oh, and let's just say I understand your closet!
Posted by: Kim@ForeverWherever | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:01 PM
That's a great idea. I only have one in preschool right now, but I'm going to tuck this idea away for the future. Your handwriting is so neat!
Posted by: Alana @ Gray Matters | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I love your boxes. That's a great job to CULL down that much! And I didn't mean to, but I think I hit the wrong link the first itme and then registered twice- it's 46 AND 47. It's my first time to link, so I'm excited. I just didn't mean to be THAT excited. :-)
My oldest's turkey this year was 3-D with stand, tee-pee, pilgrim and play-doh turkey (since one wasn't enough). What am I to do wtih that treasure?
Oh- the carpet looks familiar. I won't reveal what's on mine.
Posted by: Hillary | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:33 PM
That is a GREAT idea. My son is in pre-school this year, and I had no idea what to do with all this stuff!
Posted by: Mandy | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:38 PM
What an AWESOME awesome thing Shannon! I'm an organizational-system addict ... and I cheat on my organizational systems, incessantly creating new and seemingly more wondrous organizational systems all the time before I have time to fully implement the former wondrous organizational system.
Oh and the transparency especially rocks Thank you for making us all feel both inspired and normal! :)
Posted by: Col @ life by muse | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 11:53 PM
We have memory boxes too, one for each kid. And they are absolutely jam packed with correspondence to and from the tooth mouse - the day they find out the truth will be along hard day in motherhood land!!!
I have posted today on finding food that can work for your whole family, including the resident diabetic.
Have a lovely day!
Posted by: se7en | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I loved the part about your grieving offspring fighting over the construction paper turkeys! So funny! Yes, I, too, am in over my head in keepsakes. I love how yours are sorted by years. I have a box for each kid but only recently did it occur to me to date the artwork on the back. Thanks for doing Works for Me Wendnesday! This is my first time to post a link. I love the idea of knowledge/experience sharing! I need all the help I can get!
Posted by: It Feels Like Chaos | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I just don't keep anything, yet. I throw stuff away like crazy, I am a bad mom. Maybe I am not sentimental or something. I do take lots of pictures though and scrapbook so that is good right.
Posted by: Tiffany | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I love this idea! We somehow end up with a ton of keepsake papers and after only a short time they get out of control ... plus I can never remember exactly when/where they all came from necessarily. Great tip!
Posted by: Em. | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:33 AM
What a great idea! I stress about how to keep it all together without scrapbooking it- I am NOT a scrapbooker. (Nothing against scrapbooking- I just don't have the time or patience). Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: EveryChapter | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Oh! Suddenly I feel better about the wad of gum stuck to my carpet, in a rather obvious place.
That is one hilariously horrible disaster! I would have had to leave the country for a week in order to get my composure together after THAT.
I don't save many treasures but I save my son's teeth. Ew! Why? Because MY MOM did, that's why. I cannot for the life of me figure out one GOOD reason for keeping them around.
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:50 AM
What a great tip in having a special space for all of things collected throughout the year.
And, I think my mouth dropped open when I saw the carpet. I could see why it might induce some anxiety. I have yet to discover a disaster such as this, but my children are only 15 months and 2 1/2, so who knows if it's coming!!
Posted by: Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 02:07 AM
I'm going out to buy 2 boxes tomorrow - one for last year's stuff littering the house and one for 2009 and I've got just the right space for them in the top of my wardrobe. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Tess | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 03:38 AM
Happy New Year! What a wonderful idea!
Posted by: exhale. return to center. | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 05:03 AM
What a great idea. I had originally started to photograph all Toots artwork but I just feel too guilty throwing all the originals away. Some things are just meant to be kept.
Posted by: Leanne | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 05:26 AM
Who would have thought that it would be fun to parade our mishaps on the world wide web lol. I love your storage idea.
I have some quick advice. Don't leave your lipstick near a 2 year old who should have been napping.
That's a story that needed a camera and make up remover!
Hugs.
Kim
Posted by: Kim | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 05:27 AM
I love the one box for one year...and not one box for each child for every year, like I am doing. I don't have enough space! I mail a great deal of art away with every birthday, Christmas, and thank you card that goes out. I even used it as packing material for gifts this year (although you have to be a little more creative then just balling it all up, otherwise the kids don't think the idea is as special).
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 05:36 AM
My two year old found a bottle of hot pink acrylic paint at my SIL's house last summer. I don't know how much actually made it to her stomach but I do know the inside of her mouth was pink, her face and hands were pink, her brand-new-just-took-the-tags-off dress was pink and the floor was pink.
Not the highlight of my parenting-in-public life.
Posted by: amy@flexibledreams | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Great Idea! Love it! BTW thanks for the transparency. I may have been a little intimidated :)
Posted by: Becky | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Ooooh, I like that!! Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Tara | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 06:30 AM
You are an awesome woman, showing us all those pictures of your closet! But at least you can feel proud that something is organized!
I do almost the same thing, so it's good to see I'm in good company.
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Posted by: Sheila Gregoire | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Okay, this is brilliant! I am one of the container queens and I have not thought of this! I will be using this! Thanks, Michelle
www.shelookethwell.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:21 AM
Love your culling! I need to cull MUCH MORE than I do :)
Posted by: JanMary, N Ireland | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:30 AM
The word "culling" has been stuck in my head for days. Must be the New Year organization bug whispering it to us! Love the vocabulary :)
Posted by: Marybeth at www.babygoodbuys.com | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:49 AM
I do this, too! The only thing is...I use copy paper boxes. Yikes!! I should really take your hint about culling.
Posted by: Wendy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Great idea! Wish I had seen that when my girls were younger. Everything is bunched into bigger containers. Oh well, at least I still have the stuff.
Posted by: Jenn Calling Home | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:52 AM
My girls have bunkbeds, so I keep the box right under their bed. I tell them that they can put anything they want to keep into their box. If it doesn't fit they need to decide what gets recycled. That way I'm not the "bad mommy" who throws away their masterpieces. They each actually have their own box and at the end of the school year we weed through it and combine into one box to keep.
Posted by: Trish | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:54 AM
You relived my guilt that my scrapbook/archive/memory preserving system is exactly that--a box where I stash random things from the kids. AND the other closet photos help women everywhere breathe easier. Thanks!
Posted by: pam at beyondjustmom | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Wow, super idea! Oh and the paint, well, we all have our own "paint" stories LOL!
Posted by: Kara | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:21 AM
What a great system! I will be using this for sure.
I can second the acrylic paint tip, too. My son was about 3 when he blew up a bottle of pearly pink acrylic paint IN THE MICROWAVE. We haven't had one since, actually it is kind of nice.
Posted by: Vicki Arnold | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:28 AM
I love the keepsake boxes...great idea...I do have containers with all the cards my hubby has given me...it's fun to look back at them every once in a while!
Posted by: Traci | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:32 AM
I buy one of those plastic file boxes per child and put folders in for every year. My oldest loves to look through it and reminisce about those good ole' preschool days. But then I get all twitchy because he doesn't put the papers back in the correct folder...
Posted by: Suzie | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Love this idea even though my son is only 9months, but I'm already collecting tons of "keepsakes" from his first year.
Posted by: Ali | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Oh my, prais-a-luu-ya! I was so starting to hate you! Thank you for showing some messy in the midst of that fabulous organization!
Whew!
I am totally inspired to get it together!
Posted by: Wanda | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:28 AM
We did this for the first couple of years...now we are not so organized!
Posted by: Christy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:31 AM
What a great idea! I will be using it. Thanks!
Posted by: Maria | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Oh this is great! I sort of do this but each child has a folder which is already overflowing. I love the one box for everyone idea:) Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kara | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:40 AM
That is an awesome idea! I wish I had something to share, but the only WORKS FOR ME idea I have is to order pizza instead of cooking!!
Posted by: Domestically Challenged Girl | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:40 AM
This is a great idea!
Posted by: TheChickadeefeeder | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:46 AM
I think I could seriously use your system. And, we have an incident involving nail polish (red), a one year old and my worst parenting moment ever. It never gets spoken of, either.
Posted by: MamaHenClucks | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:51 AM
With three kids to save for, and limited space, I have reduced my allowable space for keepsakes to a mere manilla folder per child per year. I know it sounds drastic, but files I can fit someplace, boxes, I cannot. lol!
I like the idea, though, and even the closet! Maybe you could hand the paints back out and let the artist finish. I think I see the start of a bunny in a vest picking flowers...
Posted by: Raise Them Up | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Thanks Shannon! What a fantastic idea!
:) Erin
Posted by: $5 Dinner Mom | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:04 AM
love this idea and I'm going to implement it. I've linked your post on my blog. It works for me, so why should i think of something new?
Posted by: angela | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Good idea. (the boxes, not acrylic paint) I always think I'm going to mail some of my kids' art to our Compassion kids with a note. Yet I still haven't done it.
Posted by: Amy @ MomsToolbox | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Nice idea on the keepsakes Shannon. I like how you have it seperated by year - that will come in handy if you decide to do a memory quilt. I do memory quilts and it would be great if some Moms were as organized as you are.
Posted by: Jewel | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:16 AM
I love the idea of keepsake boxes! Thanks for sharing!
Also, I agree: the paint spill does almost look like a picture ...
Posted by: Jerri | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:23 AM
My little guy is in his first year of preschool, so I was looking for an idea to make keepsakes work for us. This is great, although with one child it may take us 2 years to fill a box, I will just have to be more diligent about writing the dates on the back before putting them in the box.
Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Suz | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:26 AM
great ideas..and I'm not one to store anything..need to though instead of chunking everything.
I hit enter before posting the "idea" opps..hopefully my name alone with draw some readers..oh well not everyone can be a "blog diva" like U!
Thanks for hosting this!
Posted by: dawn | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:34 AM
what a fantastic idea! For Christmas my mother gave each of us a large box with "keepsakes" that she had kept throughout the years such as love letters from her and my dad, bills they paid when we were kids, and her report cards from when she was in school. It was by far one of my most cherished gifts! In fact, I wrote about it in a recent post on my site:
http://www.fromsingletomarried.com/2009/01/06/christmas-morning/
And speaking of organizing and labeling and such, as part of my New Year's, I reorganized all of my shelves with boxes similar to yours. I finally put labels and stuff on them too - it's amazing how much of a difference it makes! Pictures here if you want to see:
http://www.fromsingletomarried.com/2009/01/07/you-can-do-it-getting-organized/
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I'm doing it! EXCELLENT idea!
Posted by: Heidi | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:49 AM
love the transparency :) my idea was swiped by a cousin many years ago, filed away for future use. it makes for unique and treasured thank-you notes after the holidays!
Posted by: Amy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Great idea.
Posted by: kimberlee | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I love your other-side-of-the-closet pictures. Thank you for that more than anything!
Posted by: MemeGRL | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I love this idea! I am a saver so this is great for us. :) Have a great day!
Posted by: Mandy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:23 AM
I am sooo sorry for triple posting/linking. I am going to blame it on my first time attempt at linking. LOVE your blog!!!
Posted by: Ginger | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM
LOVE your pictures! so funny. what a great idea.
Posted by: suzannah | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:25 AM
My sister used a dresser, each kid had a drawer. Then at the end of the school year they would sort it and keep special things, some were hung in frames and some stored in a similar fashion to yours. Kept it neat and tidy.
Posted by: Crayl | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Great idea!
Posted by: Becky | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Do you think your love for the term "culling" has anything to do with the recent popularity of the name Cullen?? ;-) Just curious.
No, I didn't sleep last night - why do you ask? ha!
Posted by: Aunt LoLo | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Have you tried "Goof Off" for that acrylic paint disaster? It might be worth a try...
Posted by: Pam | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:04 PM
An excellent idea. I have on my list of things to do the task of sorting through more than 15 boxes. More were generated in the early years because we had photos rather than digital pictures. My question would be: what did you do with all your early photos? Are they elsewhere or do you slash & burn through those as well?
Posted by: patois | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:17 PM
My 63-year-old husband got a couple of cartons of his first-grade artwork this past year. His mom died several years ago, and one of his sisters bought the family home. In cleaning out the upstairs (where I'm sure Mother hadn't been in 20 years, at least), these boxes were discovered. We've really enjoyed looking at his work, and he's enjoyed telling us about it.
As to the mess on the closet floor, same man says, "She needs to cut that patch of carpet out, frame it, and put new carpet down in the closet."
Posted by: Susan | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Thank you! I love all the super fab ideas!!
Posted by: Lalena | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:39 PM
When we were in college, we used the word 'cull' to refer to a boy we stopped dating...as in "He was so rude to the waitress that I had to cull him."
We also used it for anything else we were getting rid of...
Posted by: pendy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Oh, and I forgot to tell you this. I have a bad spot in a closet, too, and use a pretty bathmat type rug to cover it up. That way I don't have to think about what's underneath and I get style points, too.
Posted by: pendy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Oooh, spectacular! I think I'll have to go buy some boxes now and get to organizing! Maybe... if I can convince myself to commit to it.
I think our problems would be solved if teachers across America would stop having their classes make paper turkeys every. single. year.
Posted by: Amy | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Great tip!!
I have a few super-squirrel-secret bad parenting moments myself. :)
Posted by: Mary | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 01:19 PM
It is definitely a great time of year to clean out and get organized! See you at Blissdom.
Great new Twitter picture, by the way!
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I started this for my future hubby. He files NOTHING. His filing was to stuff it in a drawer. We're making progress to a file cabinet, but this certainly helps! Great idea!
Posted by: Kelley | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Oh I did enjoy reading your post! You write in such a fun way. Good for you for being willing to photograph the rest of the closet. That made the post much more interesting.
Posted by: Abbi | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 03:02 PM
great great GREAT idea! this is my first WFMW post, wish me luck! I hope i did everything right!
Posted by: amanda | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 03:25 PM
That is a fantastic idea - I have so many random things in boxes from yesteryear... your post might just have inspired me :) Thank you!
Posted by: Corinne | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Thank you for the great tips and ideas. They are so helpful.
Posted by: Tracylea | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 03:35 PM
We have a file folder for each of my four girls'. They get to pick one art project or paper from the week to keep the rest get trashed. Then at the end of each school year their projects and papers may be added to their own personal file folder. This is till it is full and then it gets weeded through.
Posted by: Heather Salas | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Did you copy me? Cause I have smallish boxes (the size of my dining room table) for family too (like each member). And ah, you took my carpet too didn't you? :)
Posted by: Cathy | Mommy Motivation | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Love it! Although with my 5 its a binder. I hole punch everything and put it in there. They each have their own. I try to sort the fabulous from the "just threw it together" ahead of time. Sometimes it just piles up!
Posted by: Kristen | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Great idea!
Posted by: Reading Rosie | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 06:50 PM
I don't have a Works For Me this week (maybe next week---I never think I'm smart enough to come up with advice for others, since no one I've ever given advice to has ever really taken it to heart), but I LOVE yours, and I love this idea...I'm going to have to add it to my bookmarks, because I'm comin' back!
Posted by: Allison | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:00 PM
P.S. Your carpet looks a bit like our carpet, only ours are food or drink stains. The landlord is going to flip when he sees the place when we leave, if I can't get some pros to come in here and clean it up first!
Posted by: Allison | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:02 PM
I love your yearly keepsake boxes. They're the perfect size for stacking in the closet. Great idea!
Posted by: lynn @ queenofthecastlerecipes.com | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 07:52 PM
This is a great idea. I have four kiddos myself and only one is old enough for preschool yet.... I will be drowning in keepsake papers by the time the triplets are in preschool if I don't get a handle on things now! Thanks for the tip!!
Posted by: MaryBeth @ FourSillySisters | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Great tips:-)
Posted by: susieshomemade | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Oops! I tried to do a WFMW post but it's after 11 pm so I'm too late. I love your blog and have found many new fun blogs via WFMW! Thanks...and I'll be quicker next time! Here's a link to my post anyway! http://66dogs.blogspot.com/2009/01/christmas-storage.html
Posted by: MamaDog | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I didn't get a chance to post my Link : ( I had my post auto post last night but then forgot to come here and link it up!
Anyway come on over and see what works for me. This week is: SIMPLIFICATION (of blog mainly)
http://adamandkrisi.blogspot.com/2009/01/works-for-me-wednesday-simplifying-blog.html
Posted by: Krisi | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Now that is an organizational system I can get behind. I've been thinking with three kids, the oldest who will soon be in Pre-K, that I'm going to have to figure out how to sort and store all of that stuff. Thanks for an easy and reasonable solution! I also appreciated your transparency. I panic at the thought of even bringing paint (other than the washable kind) inside of my house for fear of what would happen should my children get a hold of it when I'm not watching. I'm only sort of kidding.
Posted by: Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Well, I missed Works for me Wednesday yesterday so I did it today. Enjoy!
http://www.upnorthmommy.com/2009/01/works-for-me-wednesday-2/
Posted by: Kim @ Up North Mommy | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 03:28 PM
That is absolutely brilliant and so doable for a packrat like me. I'm totally doing this!
Posted by: Amanda J. | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 03:47 PM
I display everything in the "gallery" for a week, then into the recycling bin it goes. I do save a few special somethings, but limit it to a file folder each per year as some others have mentioned.
Posted by: warillever | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I do 2 things- I am so sentimental about my daughter's artwork. I take a picture with my digital camera of every piece of preschool artwork that comes home. The really cute stuff gets to hang on the door for a few days. The rest I can throw away without guilt! I got one of those brown accoridian folders- like you use for bills and I use one slot per age (year) and that's all I keep.
Posted by: jan | Friday, January 09, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Oh my gosh. When I see my daughter's carpet in every house we've ever lived in, I just shake my head wondering how on earth she had yet again stained a carpet. It's been paint, nail polish and more LOL.
Posted by: Audrey | Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 11:14 AM
This post was a total crack up!!
http://elislids.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kara-Noel | Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 06:35 PM