I want to reformate my notebook and then install windows XP on it.
I have the recovery CDs but I don't noe how to refromate it in the first place

If you have a Recovery CD you shouldn't need to format. A Recovery CD restores the unit to the condition it came out of the factory. It will do the reformatting as part of the Recovery.

You need to make sure that the notebook will first boot from the CD/DVD drive, that is done in the BIOS. Once you've done that insert the Recovery CD in the drive and reboot.

Depending on your laptop brand, you may have a recovery partition already installed.

When you first turn it on, try hitting F-11 as it boots up.

If you have system recovery, this will open it up.

With this option, you can reset the laptop to out of box condition without even using the recovery discs.

Again, not all laptops/notebooks have this option, it is most common on Compaq and HP.

... once you've completed a factory restore, before you do anything else, insert your XP install discs and now do an upgrade installation over the OS that is there. Since you have the recovery option again later, there's no need to save any of the old data, let the upgrade replace it all.

Insert the recovery disc, then reboot.

Once your system is back to the way it was when you got it, go in to Control Panel -> Add Remove Programs and delete all those unwanted extras your computer manufacturer decided to clog up your system with.