Papers. Everywhere.

If you have school aged children you know what I’m talking about. Homework, art projects, and the daily reading, exercise logs that all need somewhere to go. I’ve developed some really good systems for “keepsake” storage which I’ll get into at the bottom of the post, but I was really struggling with the graded homework and the papers that needed regular access (spelling words, Book-It charts, etc) so this weekend I decided it was time to find a way to get those papers off my counters – while keeping them accessible to the kids.

I started by getting a couple of manila folders and labeling them. It isn’t pinterest worthy, but it works.

Then I scrounged up this basket that was holding all those totes and bring-your-own grocery bags by the door (I moved those to an empty cupboard in the kitchen) and hung it underneath their daily checklist.

Ta-da. Quick and easy to grab and put back. Off my counters. Major win.

Now to deal with the homework.

Last year, I put all that paper in green hanging files in the bottom drawer of my desk but it ended up taking up a lot of room that I didn’t really have, so I was thrilled when I found these great expandable files from Russell + Hazel.

I love them because they match the binders I use for bill paying and household management. I keep them in the basket on the side of my desk. Easy to get to, but not in the way.

Finally: the keepsakes.

I bought two of these file boxes from Target when Violet and Abram were in preschool. Their big artwork doesn’t fit in them (I have underbed storage containers for those projects), but it keeps a good majority. At the end of every year, we sort through their “homework” files and pick out a few pieces that they want to add to their keepsake bins and we toss the rest.

My favorite part of this? The lids open up with an additional storage area. We’ve been having all of their teachers sign a copy of “Oh the Places You’ll Go” that we will give them when they graduate. (Thank you, pinterest, for the great idea) I love that I don’t have to scrounge around for the book, but know exactly where to find it.

Okay, so here’s what I want to know…how do YOU keep track of all the paper that comes home?

**I’m participating in the write 31 day blogging challenge by sharing my adventures in creating a beautiful and useful home. You can read more about that here. For updates and sneak peeks, please find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (I’m @ohkatiejoy).**