It’s the end of school year. They came home with backpacks chock full of…stuff.
Piles. Piles. Everywhere!!
Piles of art that Ella worked on for hours making just perfect. Piles of stories that Ethan wrote with his crazy imagination that are too cute to toss. Piles of Kindergarten memories from Matthew that I cannot let go of because he cannot grow up.
And it is about to drive me out of my ever-lovin’ mind.
I am about Type A as they come. I love for everything to have its own spot. If it doesn’t, I break out in a cold sweat. If I could have a shopping spree at any store, it would be The Container Store. If I could add anything to my house, it would be a tricked out laundry/mud room. Hooks, shelves and cubbies for everyone and everything. My favorite Pinterest board is my Organization one. These are the few pins that I actually attempt to execute.
A few months ago, I finally had enough time to tackle a Pin that I knew would get the piles off my floor and desk. And today – hallelujah – it took me about 2 minutes to clean up the piles and put the piles right in their own spot.
One of my favorite blog’s is http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com . That is where I found the project that would save my sanity – The School Paperwork Storage System: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2010/11/school-paperwork-storage.html Praise the Lord! Something to help me with the piles of school treasures that I want to save!!
I did a little different ve
rsion, but it was very similar. I decided to use a file box so I could stack them up. You can get them from any office supply store for about $10. I got brightly colored hanging files because colors make me happy. 🙂 I have a folder for each grade – preschool through 12th grade. She had some pretty colored labels you can print. However, I am too cheap to buy a color printer. I went a different route with my favorite thing in my office – my beloved label-maker. I get down right giddy anytime I get to use it!
In each grade, I put several things:
- Art
- Keepsakes (not just from school – church or made at home too)
- Copy of their school picture (and sports picture for the boys)
- Brownie/Cub Scout
- Star Progress Reports
- Teacher Conference Notes
- Year End Report Card
If I had lots of extra storage, I may put them in a closet. But I don’t, so I made them extra snazzy and put an 8×10 picture of them on the front. They are so cute, why would I put them in a closet anyway? It is actually handy having the boxes accessible. Then as things come home, I can immediately either toss in the trash or file in their adorably organized box.
Piles Poof! Be gone.
Very Happy Mama.
The Southern Lady Mama 
Makes me almost want to go through this stage again….but, alas, 10 grandchildren later, I’ll just pass this along to my daughter !! Great idea, but what do you do at the end of the year…where do you put last year’s papers or do you use this all the way through school..guess you could.. So proud of the woman you have become– you are amazing !!
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Thank you Linda!! I have a different folder for each grade and put everything in it. Within the folder I put things in there chronologically, so their report cards are the last thing in 🙂
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You are a woman after my own heart! I long for an organized space as well, achieving it is a whole other story. I do something similar to your system, not as cute though. The artwork gets overwhelming, especially with tons of glitter and other things falling off of them. I save a few very special pieces and the rest get a picture taken of them. I store those picture files in their own artwork/schoolwork folder. I am making books for them on snapfish.com, books from the preschool years, elementary years, etc. I sprinkle those pics in with other pictures from the school year and quotes from them, I figure one day it will make for interesting coffee table books. 🙂 keep up the good work!
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