Too Many Damn Toys

It's something I utter every time I walk into the girls' room: YOU HAVE TOO MANY TOYS!

I only add the 'damn' part if they are not in the room.

But it's so true.

My girls have been very blessed when it comes to being spoiled by their parents and their grandparents (these children do not want for much) and the evidence is scattered all over their floor.

I am constantly stepping on tiny sharp Barbie shoes or Hot Wheelz cars.

And I will admit, I try to sneak out a few toys here and there to throw away (all those happy meal toys or broken ones) but they watch me like hawks and rarely am I alone to really do some damage.

With Christmas coming (and those grandparents that love to spoil them), I am having a physical pain in my gut. The thought of bringing in more toys is making me ill.

I've tried to do the "give toys to those that don't have toys" spiel before and it only warranted me a handful of baby toys and a coloring book.

Roo deems all of her toys valuable and Turtle just follows me and takes back anything I take out.

It would bring me great pleasure to sweep through there and clean out all the toys hidden under the beds or shoved into the back of the closets but planning that attack is like planning a five hour trip in the car to Grandma's... painful.

I've declared to all that will listen (and so far, only one aunt has listened) that Christmas toys must be limited to puzzles, books or outdoor toys but who knows if that rule will be followed.

All I can do is sit here and hope that it won't be as bad as the past few years... and sneak into their room whenever I can to toss out the crap.

Happy Holidays!