Toy Trouble

Thanks to generous friends and family, Mate and I have only purchased a few select toys for the girls.  Our family room has served as a perfect place for all the gifted toys to reside.  Recently, I've been wondering if there is too much for Mia and Ava to choose from.  Until now, I've been ignoring the research that advocates for a toy rotation because my goal was to start setting up a play-space for the girls in the basement. I figured we'd start splitting the toys and our time between the two spaces.  Being in one room most of the day can get a little boring.  Unfortunately, my lovely ladies are terrified of the basement.  I could understand if it was a scary, unfinished dungeon, but it's not.  The nicely finished space was one of the main reasons we chose this house.  If I set them down on the floor, they scoot up the stairs as fast as their little bodies can take them.  Such a bummer.

Since the basement isn't an option for us right now, I had to get these toys under control.  I had four small baskets in my closet full of teaching supplies that I used for a trial run.  I divided some of their smaller toys and plan to pull out a different basket each day.  It is working well, but I think dividing more toys up will be better.  Bigger baskets are in our future...

Toy Area #1- Musical Toys

Toy Area #2- Playhouse and ball poppers

Toy Area #3- In the evening, we usually bring out the tunnel, blocks and ride-on toys

Toy Area #4- Ball pit and books

Toy Baskets

Ava exploring Monday's basket

Mia was happy (until that cow in the basket mooed)

 Clearly, we have more than enough to fill up two play spaces.  My goal is to use the basement on a regular basis by the end of summer.  I'm not the one calling the shots, though.