Tiny Humans

I realized today that at our house we are drowning in our own clutter. I have always known it was there, but could usually deal with it or make it manageable.  But today, I was just exhausted by all the stuff.  With three kids in school now, the amount of papers that come home are absolutely ridiculous! Everyday I am emptying out backpacks and have no where to put anything. The kids proudly hand me everything they have worked on all day and I just sigh. What to do with it all?? Because, of course, the kids watch it like a hawk to make sure I am proud of it and to see what I do with it. I can only say that it "must have fallen into the garbage" so many times before they figure it out. Now, keep in mind, I do keep all art work and anything extra cute, I am not completely evil. But how many pages of traced letters do I really need? I have tried talking to them about how "mommy can't keep everything" but someone always ends up with hurt feelings.
But besides the papers, there is stuff everywhere.  Toys, clothes, pacifiers, blankies, lunch boxes back packs.  Not to mention how much room the baby takes up. How much room does a tiny person need? Every room of our house is invaded by some large object of hers. Jumperoo, high chair, co-sleeper, glider and on and on. Our house has a great amount of bedroom space, but we are a little short on the finished living space. Someday we will get our basement finished. But right now, the savings account has not given me a thumbs up for such a large project.
I am desperately looking for ways to get more organized. Anything from school papers to remembering to buy butter BEFORE I start cooking dinner, to keeping track of who's field trip is when, so I make sure I get a sitter in time!! I would love some advice on any of this. I am curious as to how everyone else makes it work

Am I really doing this??

Okay, I have been considering doing a blog for quite some time now.  I think I have finally decided to move forward with it and I think I have my sister to thank/blame for that, she got her's started and it inspired me to finish mine.  I am not really sure how this works but will just take it one step at a time. I have been doing that a lot lately. The one step at a time method seems to work really well. I wish I would have started it earlier. But what I do know, is that I have no time to make my blog pretty. So, sorry but you will have to be happy looking at a average page. I will be lucky to get my thoughts down at night before I collapse in a heap.
I am hoping that this will be a good record for me to look back and remember the "good ol' days" of having young kids. But other than that, it is just my rantings!  I hope you enjoy a glimpse into this crazy, fun, sometimes disastrous but always full of laughs attempt to raise 5 kiddos.  Or as I call it my life =)