I am so happy to welcome a new month. This past month has been an emotionally charged one with the passing of my dear, 32-year old cousin who was such a bright star and just opening up her law practice. Her unexpected passing has left many of us sad, mad, confused and feeling a little lost. She has given me cause to re-prioritize and take a look at the things that are really important. Please excuse me while I’ve been a little m.i.a.
On a lighter note, I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing…that’s what I do when I need to have a good think.
Inspired by I Heart Organizing I did a little paper-house cleaning for my little men.
I got a ton of file folders and labeled each folder with every school grade.
It’s perfect for wrangling all the art projects, school pictures, report cards, important documents, immunization records, journaling pages, etc.
I bought a file box for each boy, each with different color hanging files to differentiate what box belongs to who.
Then when my boys leave the house (which I’m hoping is never) I can send them off with their box full of memories.
Waaah.
In loving memory of Rona T.
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
I can’t even begin to imagine what an unexpected loss of someone so young feels like. What I can empathize with is the need to create order in the middle of grief. Do your boys get to help pick what ‘fun’ items go in? Also, how do you stick with one filing system for 10+ years? (What’s the secret? please share!)
Thank you for your understanding. That’s a good question. I hope the filing system will last that long. My little men are excited to participate in the memory keeping!
So sorry for your family’s loss Michelle! You will all be in my thoughts.
Hi Michelle! I loved your post, your tender thoughts, kind words! And of course, your great organizing ideas! Looks simple enough! I need to get organized & re-prioritize as well! Love you!
Thanks Sheila. I really enjoyed visiting with you last weekend. I’m so glad you’re a part of the family. I can’t stop thinking about your experience with Rona. I was very touched. Love you!
I am so sorry for the pain you and your family are going through. I hope the good memories you have provide some comfort.
Thank you for this idea. I have three girls 5th grade and younger, and it seems like they bring home 50 paper “treasures” a week. : )
Thank you Carrie!
So sorry to hear about your loss, Michelle. Hugs to you! I set this system up for my boys last year and I LOVE it! So easy! The other fun thing that I did (thanks to Pinterest–not my own idea!) was to paste an extra school photo from that year on the outside of the folder. (We always have extras that I never know what to do with!) Its fun to see the photos and see how much they’ve changed in just a few short years!
I love this idea! We have three little guys as well:) Our oldest Matai is five so this would be perfect to start now:) I love ALL your ideas! Thanks for your inspiration and so sorry for your loss.
Love that name…my son’s name is Matani…very close!
What a coincidence…I just bought the stuff yesterday to make these for my boys! I’m going to cut out their names in Vinyl (with my Sillhouette Cameo) to put on the front. Love this idea!
Spring cleaning (and organizing must be in the air). I’ve wanted one of the Sillhouette Cameo’s for a long time…lucky gal!
I love this project. My oldest is starting kinder in the fall, and this is now on my list of things to accomplish (I guess I will do this between tears)! 🙂 Did you just get your bin at an office supply store or do you think I could get something like this at Walmart?
I remember my oldest son’s first day of school I sat in the parking lot, crying. I totally get it. I found mine at Office Depot but I’ve seen them for much cheaper at Walmart. 🙂
I love the labels on your boys’ school folders. Do you know which font you used?