I saved all of Gavin's papers from school last ear, and they're in a clear tub. But this year both boys are in Pre-K now and I am going crazy with all of these papers!

I hang them on the fridge until the next week, and replace them with the new papers. But I feel bad throwing them out, because I know that they worked hard on them. But I just can't justify keeping them either, because it just too cluttered!

What to do... what to do...

__________________

i pick and choose a few each month to keep and of course any really cute or neat art projects. we simply can't keep them all we would have a house full of kindling if you know what i mean.

__________________
SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

Ds is in first grade and at the beginning of the year I told him I was going to cut down on the amount of work that I was going to save. He was horrified and almost had me in tears! He was like, "My Work?! You are going to throw away MY WORK?"

So I backpeddled and said, "No, No! I changed my mind! We'll save it all!!" and so we are. But I only have one child! I keep it organized in a notebook but still that notebook is Crammed by the end of the year. Oh well.

I have a dd in pre-k, ds in kindergarten and ds in 2nd grade. We put all of their art work (which in pre-k is everything they bring home) on their walls. At night we talk about what they made and how and why, etc. It's fun for them to remember what they learned and they're getting lots of attention from us for their work, I think that makes them feel good.

I made files for them and kept everything from pre-K and kindergarten after we took them off the walls. But, in my oldest ds's case, starting in first grade most of what he brings home is written work. I rarely save any of his now because there's TONS and TONS and TONS!!!

From what I've saved from school and church, and what is kept in their binder at school, they have plenty. I've boxed up oldest son's and put it in the garage. When he's older, he can decide what he wants to keep or throw away.

__________________
a
"The best things in life are not things." ~Unknown
a

This is what I do too.

__________________
When I want your opinion I'll remove the duct tape.......K?

My boys are now 12, 9 and 9. You gotta' be ruthless or you will be overrun with papers!! I save a few from each year and the rest get recycled.

I do hang good test grades, etc on the frig for a week or so. Then they, too, go in the recycling bin.

I Have had 3 in school for Years ,

So .....

I Save Some of It , The really Good , Tried Hard On artwork , The A Plus 's and even the Papers that they had a Hard time on. I Also save a few School newsletters and Lunch menus throughout the year, And Just For Fun I throw in Store ads with Prices and trends of the year. And Newspaper Clippings that reflect the Year too. I Put it all in a 2 and 1/2 Gallon ziplock Bag , Write the Year and Grade on the outside- And I Stack them in a Closet.
When they are on their Own some day , I will Give them their 14 Years ( Pre school - 12th) Of Paperwork and Momentos.
I think they will Be more than Happy and Probably overwhelmed With What I Did Save.

I toss them. I know to some it sounds horrible but there is no way I can keep them all. If something comes home that I find exceptional or very cute, then I keep it in a special box. Pictures I hang on the walls for a period of time then throw them out (very good ones are framed and remain hanging or go in the box). I don't tell the kids they are getting thrown away, I do it when they aren't around. They do know because when they ask where they are, I tell them they are gone. Neither has been upset about it.

So far with dd and dsI have saved everything. I will have to toss some eventually but right now they each hae their own box.

__________________
"When people can walk away from you, let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anyone that left." Jakes

I like that idea. Last year with one in Pre-k and one in Kindergarten, I thought that I had to keep everything. Let me tell you, it is a mess. I got them each a plastic box, but both are overflowing. I need to go thru those one of these days and pick what to keep and what to toss. Of course, I have to do this all while they are in school or they wont let me toss any of it. I think the ziplock bag idea is better too. I would way rather have a stack of bags than plasic boxes.

__________________