Day 5: Declutter and Clearify

Mudroom Mayhem

I have been in the mudroom before. Constantly cleaning the gateway into our home.

Multiple thoughts struck me today. One, I set my time for 15 minutes, because I keep going over 10. Two, I’m itching to move through different areas of the house—liking the clarity and creativity I’m experiencing by the simple act of decluttering, sifting, and remembering.

My boys used these walkie talkie throughout their childhood as they explored the outdoors.

The padlocks were for their gym lockers at school. This sent me on a thread of remembering the anticipation leading up to the first day of school. I loved shopping for supplies in high school and college, so that joy was transferred to my sons as we’d take their list to the store and get everything needed. It was like a finding a treasure chest as we poured all the goodies on the kitchen table. We’d label everything with their names even down to the pencils.

They were never into clothes shopping in elementary school but a fun t-shirt, new shorts, and sneakers would start the year off right. I bought Land’s End backpacks with their initials on them that they used for years. 

First day of school—2004—Nick was 9 and Stephen was 7.

There’s a lot of nostalgia, a twinge of sadness when I think back 20 years ago. There’s also joy that my children knew they were loved, cared for, and had fun shopping for school.

My husband and I actually found the combinations for the padlocks so we’ll keep them because you never know. I was ready to give the walkie talkies away but someone is keeping them because they pretty cool. My memories are shared, my cabinet is cleaned. There’s still some mayhem happening in the mudroom but that’s for another day.

What are some of your back to school memories?