2010: Preserve a Piece of your Kids’ Lives!
I’m so happy I had a plan in 2000 to preserve pieces of my kids’ lives while they were little – their handprints! Readers recently asked if I’d share about the plates.
It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed, but ten years ago, in 2000, I took my kids down to a local pottery store.
I found the plates I wanted to use, figured out the colors, and had someone in the store help me with their handprints. (My kids were 8, 6, and 3 at the time.)
Later I went back to the store and finished up the writing and the outside design by myself, when my little ones weren’t running around. I’m glad I stuck with a “black” theme and primary colors because the plates still are classy and go with my kitchen design today!
The other day I read this post over at Holy Experience, where Ann shared … For He has made the life of a mother to be the forever crib, shaped the parent heart to be the host for the child soul. It’s the presence of the parent that becomes a child’s place of safety and they can always lay down in our love.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Ann touches my life with every post she writes and shares with the world!
I appreciate little hints of “smallness” around my house, more and more. Like my oldest son who will be graduating this year, when he was in 1st grade.
A reminder of “Daddy’s” side of the sink. (Abby’s creative Sculpy!)
And “Mommy’s” side of the sink.
Seasonally, I like to hang their art.
Put memories in the kitchen window.
And poetry on the wall.
And you may remember my orange bathroom totally full of kid creativity!
All this to say, do you have plans in 2010 to preserve some of your kids’ lives while they’re still little? Or how did your parents preserve some of your memories?
It’s true, as Ann says, the season of soul hospitality never ends!
Here’s a link to some more creative ways to display your children’s artwork! And please feel free to enter the PINK Apron Giveaway, even if you don’t have a blog! Winner announced tomorrow! This post is linked to Inspired Room’s Beautiful Friday and to Amy’s Finer Things!
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Those plates are precious! You’re making me want to run out to the nearest pottery store, even though it’s over an hour away. :)
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Mimi’s Babies: Review and Giveaway =-.
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Oh, I love these things! I especially like the plates and am inspired to do that this year. My kiddos are 5, 3, and 2 so it is probably perfect timing! Thanks for the idea!
I would have to wholeheartedly say that this is one of my favorite posts you’ve done! :) I so agree with this idea. I would rather have my home FULL of pieces of MY family than with over-priced artwork that anyone can have. I want my home to be reflections of MY family because that’s what makes it home to me. LOVE THIS POST!
I, too, am thankful to have had the ah-ha moment of preservation before the chance had escaped me. As a matter of fact, just today I added to that collection. Since our first was born in 2006 I’ve taken the three boys to Color Me Mine at different intervals (6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, etc.) and put their hand and footprint on a 4 x 4 inch tile. I’m saving all the tiles to either make a table with or, in my dream home, use in their bathroom. Today my mother-in-law helped me do #3’s 6 month tiles and #2’s 2 year tiles. I plan to go up til 5 years, but since I keep having kids it’ll be awhile before my table is ready =)
We also painted a dinner plate and put their tiny newborn footprint, along with my husband’s and mine and I wrote “Mom and Dad are with me every step of the way” around the rim.
I wish I could share some pics of the plates and tiles. I’ll hope to when we get back from vacation.
PS – hoping to do silhouettes next week with them! Such a GREAT preservation idea!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Eenie, Meanie, Miney, Mo =-.
Oh, how I wish I had done this back in 2000! I think perhaps my kids are about the same ages as yours–my boys were born in 1991, 1993, and 1997. But my oldest is a freshman at Duke. Believe me, when next year rolls around, you’re going to be REALLY glad you’ve got that handprint of your oldest!
Take care!
.-= Richella´s last blog ..Decorating Dilemma =-.
Great post, Sandy!
I have some of my daughter’s art work hanging all over our home … it is the best! I bought some fabulous and simple frames at Michael’s (thin black trip, the glass pops out the front) and every few months I’ll put some of her latest work, with a piece of bright colored paper for background. One of the frames has her handprints in it now. =) I also love basic dollar tree frames – can’t beat the price!
I love the idea of preserving and displaying these very special treasures.
Great post!
Emily
home2learn.wordpress.com
What a great reminder. I really want to do a silhouette of the children. I’m going to take their side photos today and start working on it.
.-= Selena´s last blog ..raising a thrifted kid =-.
I love those prints. I have saved some artwork from my girls. I should display them!
I noticed these “prints” in your kitchen! Thank you for sharing about them. I’ve been organizing my photos the last couple of days, and I’m amazed out how much my girls have grown!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Snow Day! =-.