Clean Up, Shmeam Up

I have realized the value of sometimes leaving toys out for a long period of time. Not the regular "downstairs" toys, but the odd toy that makes it's way down from the boys' rooms. As irritating as it is to me to have a random toy laying around that doesn't belong in a box or bin in our main living space, I have realized that at times it can be a life saver. For example, a toy dinosaur the other day. I put it on the stairs going up to the boys' room--the place where everything goes and then gets transported up at the end of the day. Not every day, though, obviously. This dinosaur saved the day one morning when Owen and Thomas were at each others' throats. I saw it and suggested they bring the other dinosaurs down and set up a dino land. They were happy for one hour in the morning, and when the twins got home from school they continued for another good hour or even more! That night, the dinosaurs received a bath and then a few days later, after they had been ignored for a bit again, I sent them upstairs with the three oldest boys. They had fulfilled their purpose. Today it was a small orange ball that I kept trying to throw from the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs and it kept finding its way back to the kitchen. William and Ryrie discovered it (it finally made it to the bottom of the stairs) and had a great time throwing it up and down the stairs. I hope it ended up at the top. Recycling toys is a great idea. I'm considering it for Christmas this year.