Work Party, Done sorting

    This morning the boys and I tackled our last clutter spots: the extra boxes of educational toys, and the shelves in M’s room with games.  I hardened my heart, and reduced both stash volumes by a quarter. 
    I sent the boys out to play at 10AM, M stood on a snow drift to bang on the kitchen window, "Momma, I don’t have a tool!"  B was cleaning off the car for me with a broom.  So I gave M the little brush I get the last crumbs into the dust bin with, and he was happy to brush snow off  whatever he could reach.   Gotta harness that helpful drive right?
    While the boys worked/played outside, I compiled our give away boxes and bags in the back hallway, and made a list for DH of the locations of boxed I couldn’t lift (pregnant lady perogative) then called the boys in to change out of play clothes into party clothes.
    I cleared the snow and ice off the top 1/3 of the mini-van where neither B nor M could reach, then we drove down to DH’s work for the party – it’s only 4 blocks away, but none of the sidewalks are clear, so we’d have had to walk in the streets.  I brought a token tin of homemade cookies, this party is always well stocked, people leave so full they can’t eat anymore, and bring home enough left overs to have for supper.  As usual, there was freshly roasted beef done on the gas grill on the sidewalk, mashed potatoes, gravy, brocoli casserole, green salad, turnip and carrot casserole, French meat stuffing, shrimp, cheese, Cambodian spring rolls, chicken Marsala, cookies, brownies, bagels, hot dips, tirimisu, pecan tart, chocolate Heath bar triffle, and creme brule.  We brought home more cookies and bagels than we came with, including some pretty Asian store bought cookies in a tin with the ingredients listed in 8 languages.
    M and I snuggled down for a nap while DH and B took the boxes to the Salvation Army.  Apparently there were so many boxes that he had to fold the back seat down. 
    I sure hope this helps when we move the boys into the new room – I’ll measure the cubic space for toys after Christmas, it will have grown by then, then we’ll know how many Trofast containers to buy at IKEA.  I think the books will be fine if we get one of the Expidite book shelves that are 5 cubbies by 5 cubbies, from adding up the linear inches of their current shelves (250 inches of books, calculated generously to let some of the books from the living room migrate back into the boy’s collection).  Maybe I should give them growing room on books.  We are replacing the boy’s current bookshelves because the shelves are sagging and prone to avalanche.   
    Phew!  The sorting is done.  Now if I can just get the house clean, we can get up some decorations.