Before & After: Weekend Project 2 - Results

After: Storage Baskets

Again, I am amazed that something you think will take you forever to accomplish really doesn't take that long if you set aside time to specifically work on it. I started clearing our the baskets this morning with two little helpers and in no time we were done.

First, we completely cleaned out all the baskets.  We sorted everything into categories: Wii games/accessories, DVDs, coloring books/notebooks, crayons/markers/pencils, craft supplies, and puzzles.  From there we went through all of that and threw away all of the garbage and items we no longer needed/used.  Unbelievably, we ended up with a garbage bag full of trash!

A couple of weeks ago, when I was at Target, I was shopping in the dollar spot area.  I love to look there every time I go to Target because every once and awhile you can find some great deals.  For example, the black bins pictured below.  At the time I didn't know what exactly I would use them for but they were 2 for $1 and I knew I could use them somewhere around the house.  Today was the day they found their purpose.

Small bins from the dollar spot at Target.

I used a few bins in almost every basket.  The first basket was the Wii games.  The game cases fit in the containers perfectly.  Only problem was that we'd have to take them all out to find the right game.  I fixed that by writing the name of the games on the top edge of the cases.

The basket has a hole in the back so I was also able to store the remote charger right in the basket and still have it plugged in.

I was going to use the bins for our DVDs too but most of the cases are black so it would have been hard to write the name on the case so those were laid on their sides.  Most of the girls movies are kept in a CD holder so I stored that in the same basket.

The next thing I used the black bins for was organizing the crayons, markers, and pencils.  The girls love to color and draw and this basket had become uncontrollable.  We had a paint bucket full of crayons and decided to pair it down quite a bit.  We had enough crayons for about 20 kids.

The girls always seem to be arguing about notebooks and coloring books.  Instead of sharing everything they are always getting mad at each other for using "my notebook" or "my coloring book."  So to eliminate that fight, we divided up the notebooks and coloring books and each girl agreed on which ones they wanted to keep.  Each girl got their own basket.  I also made a folder for each girl.  I noticed that before if they colored something and wanted to keep it, it either ended up on my fridge or they just shoved it back into one of the baskets.  So hopefully they will use the folders now to store their artwork.  I'm sure a few will still end up on the fridge but at least now it won't be completely covered!

One of the baskets was full, and I mean FULL of puzzles.  We determined that we didn't need that many puzzles and got it down to a more manageable number.  To save space we got rid of most of the puzzle boxes a long time ago.  They are stored in ziplock bags along with a picture of what the puzzle is supposed to look like.  After we organized this basket we ended up with a bag of about 20 puzzles that will be making their way to the thrift store.

The last basket that I used a black bin in was the craft basket and after a quick trip to the store we got some new boxes to store the beads the girls use to make necklaces and the rubber bands to make bracelets.

In addition to finding out this project didn't take as long as I thought it would, I also realized that the girls love to help me clean up and organize.  They like to help out in the decision making process.  I think a lot of times I just tend to do things myself, when I should be involving them.  It is good for them and good for me to have the help.  This way they can also feel pride in keeping it clean and organized since they helped get it that way in the first place.

So, did you have a project this weekend?  Cleaning a closet, doing some baking, making freezer meals, or just conquering the laundry?  I'd love to hear from all of you.