My Kid is a Keeper

In the first 15 minutes after Axel goes to school each day I find myself purging his desk of all sorts of "special things" he plans to keep for the rest of his life.  Does he miss them or even notice they're gone?  Rarely.

We struggle with Axel's constant acquiring on a daily basis.  Everything has value to him, everything has a purpose and he likes to live surrounded by "neat little things".  If only these things would stay confined to his room I would be less likely to complain – but they ooze from the confines of his collection and appear as "sprinkles" on the "monster cookie" that is our house.

As we prepare to add another body (summer Nanny – Yippee) to the 2000 square feet we call home, I find myself needing more open space in which to fit joy and giggles – less clutter.

We knew Axel was our "keeper" when we first saw his strawberry hair.  Although I can appreciate his love of a good "find" and it is rather endearing how much he values...say...a rock that looks like any other rock – him being a "keeper" is something I need to keep my eye on.

See exhibit 'A' below for a few treasures I found today.

Legend: 
A - Pencil missing it's eraser – claims he has an eraser in his desk at school that will fit the end. 
B - Business card from a manager at Acapulco restaurant – acquired approx. 1 yr ago.
C - Popsicle sticks (unwashed) with jokes he intends to remember.
D - Seeds from a friends apple that he plans to start an orchard with.
E - A miniature strainer...because you can't live without one of these.
F - Bark pulled from a tree by a bird – he's saving it to put back on the tree.
G - Handmade guitar – made from a Pandora charm box and Rainbow Loom bands.

Do you have a keeper in your house and have a creative solution to encourage purging?  Throw me a line...I'm about to be buried alive.

 - Jen