Mixing Play-Doh

Looking around my home, I realize that I am starting to feel more content (finally, after 6 months of living here!) The piles of presents and old boxes are dwindling - but not completely down for the count. And I am beginning to relax about the boxes that are still lying around. It's funny the cleaning stages I've gone through and I imagine that I will go through more...

When I was little, I shared a room with Kim. I really don't remember our room being a huge mess. Mom never really let it get that way. Sure my closet needed work every other week or so, but I only really cleaned when Mom said I had to.

In college, I got my own room, in my own house. What a pit! Really. To walk to the bed, you had to clear a path with your feet. I guess that that was my rebellion from my parents. It's mine and I like it dirty.

Fast forward to today. Cory and I live in a little house together. I complain ALL the time about how messy it is. I know that I still have not gotten to the level of cleanliness on a consistent basis that I need to get to, but I realize now that things should be neat and clean.

But have I gone overboard on certain issues? Cory does not clean Chesney's room. It's not because he doesn't want to, it's because I won't let him. Everything in her room has a place. The Barbie dolls have a plastic box to go into. The puzzles go on a particular shelf. The "kitchen" items go in the yellow basket. Her clothes are hung by sleeve length with pants and jackets separate. He does not fully appreciate the beauty of the system. And I don't mind cleaning it alone.

The problem comes with Chesney actually playing with the toys. I can't stand watching her brush the Barbie's beautiful hair into a nappy mess. When using water paints, I cringe when she paints two lines on all the pages instead of finishing one or two. And mixing Play-Doh colors is the worst. I guess these are things I just need to get over. She's 3! These things will happen. Heck, I did them when I was young. It's just funny the appreciation I have for toys now that I'm older.