To Many Toys

As I was picking up my girls room the other night I had those "burn the house down" thoughts again. I feel guilty for thinking that way but sometimes I can't help it. Why do we have so much stuff! My posts at the beginning of the year about me simplifying my life and getting rid of stuff have not really come to fruition. I really don't have a good reason why. At least not that I can think of anyway. I am really good at sucking time.

My thoughts on toys: I hate Polly Pockets.

Whoever invented those stupid things needs to be beat. Now I am a clean person and despite the fact that we do have three cats living amongst us, I do manage to keep it pretty clean around here. Maybe not clutter free all the time but most certainly clean. I am forever finding those wretched little Polly Pockets EVERYWHERE. That would include my closet (seriously how did that happen?), the closet by the front door and the other day I found some PP clothes in the deep corner of the laundry room. Nobody plays in there! That is where all the spiders live.
So as I type I am making threats over my shoulder to my darling three year old that if she does not pick up her Polly Pockets she will never see them again. She will get them picked up since she loves them so, but the thought of throwing them out makes me smile a little. Now for the record Tyler and I have only bought our girls one PP each and that was at Disneyland last year. The rest of them came from a family in our neighborhood with two girls that had outgrown them. We came home one night a year and a half ago to a huge garbage bag sitting on our doorstep. To my girls delight and my dismay the whole thing was filled (and I mean it was full-think yard bag) with Polly Pockets and accessories. How thoughtful of them! I have cursed at them (the PP's not my neighbors) under my breath ever since. We were spared the Barbie donation. They gave them to another family with girls my age. Phew....dodged that bullet.

My other "issue" is with stuffed animals and all the space they take up.

Now as opposed to Polly Pockets, I do love stuffed animals. I love real animals as well and the stuffed ones are even better for obvious reasons. But why? Not why do I love them but why do we have so many? I know why. Two reasons: My Mom buys them and Ty's Grandmother whom is affectionately known as "Grandma Beanie Baby". I think that speaks for itself. So we have what seems like a million beanie babies that my kids don't really ever play with or pay attention to for that matter. I would love to get rid of them but am I allowed to do that? Since technically they came from my girls Great-Grandmother does that mean they are precious heirlooms that need to be handed down from one generation to the next? I mean they are stupid little stuffed animals for crying out loud. I wonder if I would think different if they were from my side of the family. Doubt it. I have done some "testing" in this area to see if they would miss certain stuffed animals (not beanie babies) by taking them and putting them away for a while. If they ask for them (which they haven't) I would probably give them back. So far though, no one is asking and that is just fine with me so off to be donated they go. Maybe I'll just keep secretly removing them until we have reached a more manageable amount. Like two for each kid. Sounds like a plan.

The Wretched ones. The rest are scattered on the floor.

I do have to admit that these were all purchased by me.

They do actually get played with and that is why they have the honor of being on the bed.

This is them. THE stuffed animals.
They take up 3/4 of the space under this twin bed.
There are more in the basement I am sorry to say.