When our kids were little, many of my friends were making beautiful scrapbooks for their children. They created works of art for each of their children with wonderful colors, frames, tags, buttons and bows. I admired their talents, but I knew I would never get around to doing that…especially for four children.

So I came up with an easy way to collect their special papers, artwork, class announcements, awards, newspaper articles, etc. I used 3-ring binders and then used clear sheet protectors to slide the memorabilia into. It made it easy to add pages to or rearrange pages.

Starting with Preschool, I starting saving their projects. What is cuter than preschool projects? I did notice that it was the biggest binder for John! We had a drawer we always put all the school papers in once we had looked at them. Then about once a month, or so, I would go through them and decide which ones to keep. I also included doctor checkup sheets, special cards from grandparents, and newspaper articles about family members.

Certificates, diplomas and special awards that they received for each stage are in the binders.

I love looking through these! John was in an ad for his Dad’s dental office, shortly after he opened his office in Cameron. There are so many things that we could forget about if we don’t have a somethings saved to document it.

I liked to include examples of the homework that they did at each stage for each class, but the creative stories are the ones I enjoy the most.

It is interesting to look through the binders, as I do I can almost see John growing up and can watch the progress made at each grade.

Special projects, classes, extracurricular activities and summer activities are also good to include.

I saved all their athletic letters and special recognitions. Certificates from other activities are also in their binders.

Newspaper articles are always fun to look at. Fortunately when our kids were growing up school events were often featured in the local paper.

Another way to capture memories that is so easy! Buy a 3-ring binder and some clear protective sheet covers. Then just start saving special papers, photos, certificates, etc. Easy!

As you may have guessed, my children have more “treasures” than they ever knew! But it does a momma’s heart good to sit down and look through these books of memories. So many good times! Enjoy!

Only two weeks until Christmas! Do you have your Christmas decorations up? I really like getting out the Christmas decorations and then enjoying all the memories that go along with them. Remembering those special gifts and all the fun the kids had with the decorations when they were little.

I love traditions and many of our Christmas decorations have become traditions. Mark’s mom collected the Byers’ Choice carolers, and when we started our family we started our collection. We have the parents – the grandparents – and our 4 kids -and a dog. Then later we added the clock maker and Santa’s Workshop. When our kids get married, we start their collection for them. These have become some of my favorite Christmas decorations.

I painted these three Santa’s the Christmas right before our oldest son was born, 30 years ago. Note that the list Santa is holding on the right has Carrs written at the top. What keepsakes!

We have had a variety of nativity scenes over the years, but I love this one. Many years ago we purchased it at the Cameron Christmas Craft Show. I am not sure how the clay ornaments survived four children – but I love the little sheep – barely peeking out over the greenery. I do remember we used to have a donkey:).

Remember when the Avon lady came to your home? This Avon Countdown to Christmas Tree was one that our kids loved growing up. A new ornament was put on the tree each day of December. So fun!

When the kids were little this Santa would dance under the Christmas tree. Mark gave me the wooden sleigh after we moved into our first little house in Cameron. The quilt is just one I purchased at an antique store in town.

These cute baking Santa’s have also been part of our Christmas decor for years. Traditional decorations make the holidays extra special.

I love having the home all ready for the holidays – and then having all the kids (and their spouses and dogs) home – which – of course, is the very best part of Christmas!

Enjoy decorating your home and getting it ready to greet family and friends! Merry Christmas!

Every holiday gives us a reason to think about favorite memories. Now that all my “kids” are “adults”, it is fun to think about how excited they were when the Halloween season arrived. They always wanted to make sure we made it to Walmart the first week the new Halloween costumes were in. We would work so hard to get the perfect costumes, accessories, swords, make-up etc. Then too often, it was so cold or rainy, they had to cover their costumes with jackets. But still….what fun that was! Such cute little kids!

I just add touches of Halloween decor around our home, blending old with new. The girls and I had a pumpkin making day a few years ago, and these pumpkins are one of the sets we made. We have had the witch and her pets for years. The dome is a cute little polka-dotted cake stand by Pioneer Woman. They are all on a large wooden pizza board that I made, with a few autumn leaves and ivy (and I notice – a bit of Easter grass).

About ten years ago, I started collecting Williraye holiday figures. They are cute and whimsical (which is how I like my Halloween decorations). Even the ghosts and witches look happy. They quit producing them about two years ago, but some are available on Ebay. They are just adorable!

The little people and animals all look like they are ready for a night of fun!

Jack O’ Lanterns stacked up, almost hiding the little cat, opposite a skeleton cat and centered by a witch flying over the moon. They make me smile.

Touches of fall and Halloween in the dining room.

These are cute little ghosts that I painted right before we started having children. Maybe it is time to get out the paint brushes again.

Happy Halloween! Enjoy!