Our Toy Makeover: Part 2

Almost two months ago, I wrote about how I re-organized all of Logan's toys. I was hoping it would change some things around here, and decided it was time for an update. I have been switching them out about every two weeks since that post and it may be a bit of an exaggeration to say that it has changed my life... but really, it probably isn't. It has made a huge difference. I absolutely love it!

In my first post I wrote about some things that I hoped it would change, and thought that I would list some of the big changes that I have noticed. Some of them I predicted and some of them have surprised me. So here is the scoop about this project. I wish I had done it sooner!

• It is like Christmas morning every time I switch the toys. His face lights up. He screams "TOYS". He is thrilled about the toys that he had so easily forgotten about when the last set of toys were brought up. It is like present time every two weeks. 
• It cuts way down on the clean up that I end up doing at nap time and bed time. I usually have Logan help me pick up before I put him to bed. He only ends up picking a few up each time because he is still young, but that means so much less for me to clean up. That also means less spread throughout the rest of the house... and more time for coffee and a book. Who wouldn't want that?
• It allows me to better maintain the toys that we do have. 

             --> Replacing batteries that are dead
             --> Throwing away broken toys that cannot be fixed
             --> Getting rid of/ storing away (for future babies) toys that he no longer shows any interest in at all

• It keeps crackers/ old snacks out of the bottom of the toy box. I am always surprised at the junk that falls to the bottom of the toy box in just a two week period.
• Each toy keeps his interest for so much longer. I find that he even plays with each toy more because he is not so overwhelmed by a giant mountain of them.
• It allows me to keep my eyes open for toys that he would find interesting at great prices. It is much easier to have an idea of what he would love to play with and might want, to replace a broken toy or a toy that he has grown out of. 
• I know it is time to get rid of some toys when they no longer fit in the designated storage box. He has some larger toys (ride on things, his toy kitchen, a fire truck) that I switch out between his bedroom, the living room, and the basement too.
• I find toys, binkys, or cups that don't belong to us much more quickly. Some things get left behind from play dates, and it is much easier to keep track of our toys and not accidentally "adopt" other's toys too.

Overall, I am amazed at how much difference a seemingly small project makes. I would highly recommend something like this if you have little ones and are running on little storage space too. It has even cut down on some of the clutter that so easily takes over our living room. Hope it helps!