The perpetually messy room...

The stages of room cleanliness from having only 1 kid to 6 kids:

1st kid:
Always organized. Toys in neat labeled bins, books in alphabetical order.

2nd kid:
1st kid plays with 2nd kid, a few toys are left on the ground, toys start to become intermingled in bins but books still in perfect alphabetical order.

3rd kid:
1st, 2nd and 3rd kids play together, all toys thrown into one bin, books now placed on shelf in no particular order. More items left on ground but can still be picked up in a timely manner.

4th kid:
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th kids play together. Now books and toys all thrown into one bin. Toys scattered throughout are easily picked up and thrown into one bin.

5th and 6th kids:
Mom has given up all hope of anything organized,
gets hurt every time she walks into the room..

and realizes she would much rather have a room where kids can laugh, play, pretend, create and have fun in rather than a completely organized un-played in room. Mom will have enough of that when her kids are out of the house.

Here's to many more years of messy rooms!