Clean up, Clean up, everybody clean up...

Out with the old and in with the new.  It's that time of year.  We are going to start our sort to make room for our new toys.  It's a good habit to get in to.  I don't want the kids to be pack rats like me and Grandpa Jim *wink* (I know you read this Grandpa).  The old toys don't get thrown away, they go to a good home, to someone that really needs them.  That is what I tell the kids when this time rolls around.  We purge every Christmas and Birthday (July).  I usually start it the week before, of toys that I know they no longer play with and they finish with the ones that are a tougher decision.  We have been doing this for the last few years, so the kids really don't know what it's like to keep stuff they don't use, so it's easy for them to let go.

Other than that, it's a day to start cleaning up the house and getting ready for the new year.  You may think I am a neat freak (ok, I am a little) but, I am really not a psycho or anything.  Our home looks quite lived in.  Too lived in for my tastes!! But I never wanted to be that mom that makes her kids put the toys away when they are in the middle of playing with them because I can't handle disorder.  It just makes me a little nuts when the whole house turns in to a playroom.  My kids and husband are NOTHING like me.  They don't care when things are messy.  It doesn't seem to phase them.  Ethan is a little bothered, but he can still make a pretty big mess.  He just doesn't like other people to ;) Sounds like mommy!! LOL  You should see my kitchen when I cook.  I am a really messy chef.  Appropriately enough, Mark tucked some Clorox wipes in my stocking this year.

I am hoping to have the house all purged and clutter free by our NYE party.  We decided to have people here.  We haven't had a party here since Ethan's birthday last year, so I thought it would be fun.  I like the fact that we won't have to leave the house.  We are going to have kids here too.  We'll be playing Wii karaoke, American Idol 2, that we just received for Christmas and grubbing out to some yummies.  It should be a nice relaxing time.  I LOVE to entertain, so it's fun for me.  I love cooking and having people enjoy my dishes.  Making a Mexican themed spread of appy's.  

Ok, better get to gettin' this house isn't going to clean itself!  Although I wish there was a self clean option ;) I'll post some Christmas pics later!  I'm also dying to use my new breadmaker, but I have to finish the kitchen before I bust it out.