Jack Tackled the Sweeping!

My brain did not kick into gear until a little too late and I could not grab the phone fast enough to get a better shot.

I told Jack that he had to help clean up. I meant pick up his toys that were strewn about the house after a day full of Jack and Daddy fun.

I was sweeping the dining room. Before I had a chance to give him a more specific instruction, he came over, grabbed the broom and said "Sweeping".

His sweeping actually looked a lot more like dancing as he kind of hugged the broom and twirled in a bit of a circle while looking up at it. He "swept" the dining room then moved on to the laundry room.

I don't know if he was going to sweep in there or if he was going to put the broom up since that's where we keep it. Anyway, he got distracted in there and wanted to do laundry.

To see more Tackle it Tuesday posts, click here.

Don't forget to check out this week's installment of Life is Therapy.

Tackle It Thursday--Play Area!!!

Yeah, I know the button says Tuesday and I am posting on Thursday. I'm just taking a few liberalities with the posting schedule. I read other people's tackle posts and I am in absolute awe of all they get done. Anyway, I awed myself this time so I thought I'd share.

I actually tackled this area over several days little by little the last few weeks. This is what we started with:

an area of the living room overtaken by utter chaos

and a way overcrowded play area.

With Christmas coming and people asking what they should get Jack, I began to panic! No, no, no, no! No more. This space is not even playable and we don't even have a place to put our tree!!! What's a mama to do?

I made some very hard choices. I had to contain the chaos so I broke my own heart and put many, many, many books and puzzles away. I found solace in the idea that putting the books and puzzles away and leaving only a few out would give Jack more room and he would actually be able to get to the books left out.

I also weeded through a lot of the toys and set aside many things that his younger cousins and friends will be able to enjoy now that he no longer plays with them.

This is how the space looked after the inital improvements.....

and Jack was immediately drawn to the space now that it was very playable and roomy!

There is even a designated parking spot for his trike!

And then I was Christmas shopping when I saw something that made my heart go pitter pat! Do you see it?

Shelves--little bookshelves that fit right under the window with a little room left on the top to fit the baskets. {Squeal!} After David quickly assembled our new shelves, I brought all the books back out and put them in our new little "library" shelves. I brought all the puzzles back out too and put them in the baskets.

Now we have lots of great books, puzzles, and toys out and still room to play.

And.....room for our Christmas tree.......

and best of all, the books are very easy access for snuggly reading time with Mama!

To see more Tackle it Tuesday posts, click here.

Don't forget to check out this week's installment of Life is Therapy.