Does this look clean and organized to you?? Me neither. This is Natalie's desk after she "cleaned it up."
This is about half of Natalie's stuffed animal collection, which brings me to the problem...This kid has held on to EVERYTHING she's ever had since the day she was born. Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but she really can't stand getting rid of anything. She cries every time I make her organize, clean, and throw things out--even clothes that don't fit anymore! Her room can't hold much more! I am embarrassed to let anyone see it. She has a memory associated with almost everything she owns. She knows who gave it to her, or where she got it from, which makes it very hard to get rid of anything. She gives me a reason why she has to keep every single thing!
As an example, in the above picture are four things that I told Natalie she could probably part with. Her reasons for keeping each one of these "treasures" are as follows:
#1 Jockey Goggles and Cell Phone: "Dad wore these when he won a lot of big races in one day and I was cheering for him, so I was his good luck, so he gave them to me." and "This is Dad's old cell phone."
***
My thoughts on #1(don't worry these thoughts stayed in my head where they belong): Dad gave you the goggles because they were so scratched he couldn't see out of them anymore and you don't get scratched goggles if you are winning lots of races. and It's an old scratched, no longer good for anything cell phone!!
#2 Bank Canister Thing: "You bought me this when you worked at the bank so I could be just like you."
***
My thoughts on #2: Actually, someone ran this over one day when I was working in the drive-thru. It wouldn't go up the tube anymore, so I brought it home because I thought you would have fun playing with it for a few days. Little did I know I would still be tripping over it five years later!
#3 Monkeys on the Bed Board Book: "Emily gave me this book when I fell off of your bed and broke my arm. She saved my life and drove us to the hospital because you were freaking out and couldn't drive."
***
My thoughts on #3: I did call Emily (my sis) when you broke your arm because I wasn't sure if it was broken. She came with us to the doctor's office, and I was freaking out a little. I don't remember any life saving techniques being performed, but I was glad she was there.
And on that note, here is Natalie with her broken elbow. She was just 4 years old! :(
And here is the cast she has hung onto for 5 years!
Yep, really!
Even though her memories may be a bit off, when she tells why she is keeping something I just can't make her throw it out! Her memories are so sweet. I'm sure as she gets older she won't be quite so attatched to all of this stuff, she may even forget why she is keeping it. She's growing up too fast as it is. And so, for now I'm just going to close her bedroom door and let my little pack rat be!
The girls wearing their new pj's on Christmas Eve.
Austin wearing his new Spongebob pj's and awesome slippers!
Christmas Morning
Natalie got the CD she wanted!
Austin got the army gun he wanted, even though he changed his list two days before Christmas. I guess Santa was still listening--way to go Santa!!
Makenna was very excited about everything. We let her take her time and open all of her presents by herself.
Austin trying out his Nerf bow and arrow.
Natalie singing to us with her karaoke machine. We've had lots of fun with this, but some of us are better singers than others...right Danny.
