My New Favorite Organizing Find! The 19-Pocket Expanding File by Carolina Pad. Yesterday, during my crazy Wal-Mart run (see previous note for a big laugh) we were dashing down the school supply aisle and came across this extremely practical and stylish product! (see photo album for additional product views).

Our Problem?
Too many pieces of "special artwork" and writings from the 1st and 2nd Grade. We needed to make room for special art & papers for the upcoming 3rd grade year.

The Solution?
I put my rising 3rd grader in charge of deciding "trash from treasure" (with some basic guidelines to follow). I let her use my label maker and the new (super cool ~ in her words) expanding file folder she picked out at Wal-Mart. She had a blast separating her special artwork from random doodles that she said could now make their way to the trash can.

She labeled the expanding files as follows:
1. 2nd Grade Books That I Wrote
2. 2nd Grade School art
3. 2nd Grade School Journals (she loves to write)
4. My Art (as in random stuff she still can't part with)
5. Spanish
6. 3rd Grade!

We still have 13 files to fill! I love this product for function, practicality and style!

Mom Tips
* Involve your kids in separating their artwork & special papers. You will have as much fun looking at their past years' accomplishments as they do. It is a great rainy day summer activity!

* Use an expanding file folder with plenty of file space to make room for next years' art & special papers. We had to fold some of our artwork to have it fit in the files. We didn't mind because if it is too special to "fold" we generally have it framed and hang it on the wall.

Product We Liked
We purchased the Hot Chocolate 19-Pocket Expanding File from Wal-Mart for $14.99 (plus tax).