Saturday, September 26, 2009

Our Chair

I recently read the book "The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections" by Amanda Blake Soule and found several great ideas that I plan to do for and with the boys in the future. One of the things that she encourages people to do is take pictures of areas of your home that are your children's. She makes the point that as an adult she wishes she could look back at what her room looked like when she was a child or a special place that she sat at and read, etc., etc., I thought she made a great point and here is my first installment.


our chair

One of the first places that I thought of that brings special memories to mind for me is our rocking chair. I remember shopping for the perfect one. Walking around the store with swollen feet and plopping my tired, pregnant, self into chair after chair in order to find the one that would best suit me, Jared and the two babies growing inside me. I remember looking at it longingly after coming home from the hospital without the boys. I remember Jared sitting in it with both boys just minutes after we brought them home from the hospital. We've read "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb", "Goodnight Moon", "I Love You Through and Through" and numerous other books to them in this chair. I rocked and sang them to sleep in it every night for a long time. I sit in it and try to read a bit while they play on the floor in front of me. Some days I plop into it exhausted from the raising of two year olds. They've sat in it for their "chair pictures". There are a lots and lots of memories in this chair. I don't anticipate ever getting rid of it. It is stained and already a bit worn but it tells a story, our story.


their feet

whether it contains piles of feet

little readers (the chair)

or pajama clad, inquiring, young minds


it is one of my favorite places in our home, our chair.

105 comments:

KJ said...

Oh that is a great idea. And I love that chair and wish I had one. Since we've moved a LOT we refrained from buying one because it would just be another thing to move around. But it looks so comfy!

GreedyGirl said...

Hi www.greedygirlsguide.com stopping by from SITS and to help you get your 50. You already had so now you have 51 enjoy your day

Dreamgirl said...

that's a great idea!

Thanks for sharing and that chair looks so cozy!
Just stopping by from SITS to wish you a very happy Monday!

Crazy in Alaska said...

Also stopping by from SITS! I love love love the idea of taking pictures of your childrens places in the home. And love the feet picture!

Candice-MOTBITS said...

I became a follower of your sweet blog! I'm so happy to blog for a cure! Please check out my blog MOTBITS. My twins are younger then yours. I just started this blog, but I will be posting lots more soon. I'd love to have you do a guest post since you are a little more experienced. Please email me or comment on my blog if interested.

Thanks
Candice
www.motbits.com (Tidbits for mothers of twins)

Nicole said...

Stopping by from SITS to say hi!

That is such a great idea! One day, if we are blessed with children, I would love to have a special place to read and take photos like that:) You have a beautiful family!! ps I see you've gone over your 50 goal, that makes me 54!

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in from SITS! That's a really good point. I'll keep it in mind for when I have kids!

Stephanie said...

How sweet!! What a great idea. Love the pis of the boys toes. So cute!!

Alicia said...

awwww cute! and that's an awesome idea! i may just have to borrow it!!

Twincerely,Olga said...

your boys are so sweet! Thanks for stopping by

I Wonder Wye said...

What sweet boys! Stopping by from SITS. I'm a new blogger so please come visit sometime!

Liz said...

so sweet and I agree--what a great idea to take pictures!!!

MaricrisG said...

That is so sweet and your kids are so adorable. Some stuffs does acquire sentimental value being it so a part of our daily life.

cat said...

That is a great idea!

Amandasaurus said...

Your kids are so cute!! I love the tootsie toe picture~

Unknown said...

Your boys are precious! I found you on the SITS roll call and wanted to say hello. Ironically, I have twin girls---they were preemies, too, born at 34 weeks. They are 3 now and I finally feel like I'm coming out of my mommy coma, lol! I'm grateful to have found your blog. I'm a SITS newbie and still trying to figure it all out.

Betsy B. Honest said...

Visiting from SITS.

That is the sweetest idea, I love it.

Chocolate Lover said...

Such a sweet idea. I'm sure your boys will appreciate it later.

Helen McGinn said...

Such a wonderful idea. I stupidly left my lovely rocking chair out in the patio and it got rained on ('course it did, this is Scotland!). I'm going to try to restore it because those memories in that chair are priceless.
xx

Anonymous said...

Great idea. And what a great chair!

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

I love it! I miss my rocking recliner. We had to leave it in storage in St. Thomas when we moved here. Don't know when we'll be reunited again. Continue to enjoy the pleasures of that chair and the memories gathered on it.

Sonja @ Craft-Werk said...

such a great idea. Have inadvertently done that, anyway, but it is good to actually KNOW the concept. Should start documenting now.
Happy SITSday!

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

Very sweet! Love hearing that moms still read to their children these days. I still have some of my childhood books!

Elizabeth D. said...

Awww, those pictures are so sweet! And wow, that is a wonderful idea! I love the idea of saving those memories for your children. I will totally be busting out my camera today - thank you!

Unknown said...

Very sweet! Happy SITS day

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Stopping by from SITS! I love this idea! No kids yet, but my parents were photo junkies and the pics I have of the special places in our home are truly some of my most treasured possessions.

Sandy said...

Love the idea of the chair!

said...

That IS a brilliant idea. I would love to be able to look back on certain pieces of my childhood like that.

Congrats on your SITS day!

JennyMac said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics with the feet. SO cute and a special memory.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Now that is a great idea! Love that chair full of sweet little feet!

Happy SITS day!

Queenie Jeannie said...

What an awesome post!!! Now I don't feel so silly for taking pictures of our homes and the kids' rooms, lol!

Anonymous said...

That is a sweet chair, but such sweeter memories!

Have a great SITS day!

Anonymous said...

Awww....those baby feet are too sweet! Love the photos and now I am wondering if I have any of my kids in the rocker...Will check:)

Karen said...

I love this idea. I've always wished that I had a picture of the bedroom where I spent the years from ages 3-11. How wonderful that your boys will someday be able to show their children (your grandchildren!) a very personal piece of their childhood. The picture of their sweet little feet is priceless. You have a beautiful family.

{leah} said...

Cute idea!!

Happy SITS day!

sweetjeanette said...

Congrats on the featured blogger for SITS! I love the chair post! and I'm loving your music!

sweetjeanette.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a greata snugglebuggle place! Mine is anywhere there's a blanket to wrap around us!

Ally Wasmund said...

this is a FABULOUS idea. i might just start doing that!! thanks :)

Pam said...

What a wonderful way to capture all your happy memories in "your" chair. I love the idea of cozy place for the the family to share quiet time together.

Tasha - Bellazizas Favorite Things said...

We have a favorite chair too. I need to take some pictures like you did though! Very sweet.
Congrats on your SITS day!

Kelly said...

I love the pics!

Sherri said...

I love that idea! Now you have me thinking. It would neat to do a memory book for each child of all their favorite places. Hmmmm.....

Time for Beads said...

Happy sits day! Love the music on your blog and I love this post! The "harken" song was one of my little songs I memorized to sing to my boys in our "special chair." Thanks for bringing back the memory. I would love to feature this post on my blog, as it's about the Creativity of all Women

www.timeforbeads@satx.rr.com

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

Too sweet. I like that idea. I'll have to check out that book. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

OH I love love love the pics...I was totally expecting to see a pic of you and your boys buried in a book!! What a surprise to see feet and bellies!! How Cute!!

It looks like a great chair!

Cammie and Emily said...

I LOVE this idea!!! Looking back your boys will remember the love they felt in that chair!

Crafty Girls Workshop said...

That's a great idea, thanks for sharing. I hope one day I'll have a similar chair that means so much because of the memories. Happy SITS day and congrats on being the FB today!

Anna

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

What a great idea! I think I may steal it. :)

Laura said...

That is a great idea. Happy SITS Day!!

Patricia said...

what a great idea and what a great chair It's wonderful that you've thought to take those kinds of photos and write down those memories already in their young lives. Good for you.

Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

My daughter and I have a special chair, too!

That feet picture is priceless!!

Happy SITS day!

AmericanTribal said...

What a wonderful idea! I hope you make many more wonderful memories with your family in that chair :)

www.americantribal.blogspot.com

Jenn Erickson said...

Congrats on your SITS day. Sounds like a great book. I'm going to have to pick up a copy. What a wonderful gift you're giving to your children by writing so touchingly and thoughtfully about your family for your blog, and for preserving moments in time through photographs.

Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com

Proper Prim said...

What a sweet story... the boys are so cute and I am sure they love their chair as much as their wonderful Mommy for documenting this for them...

Mindi B.A. Bookworm said...

I wish I had done that with my kids when they were small. Your site is lovely and even though I dislike music when I pop on a website, I actually love yours and find it quite relaxing. :~>

Christina said...

My parents still have the rocking chair my mom rocked us all to sleep in... it's a precious item in their home. It's always good to take a moment to appreciate the environment that hosted so many good, sweet memories.

Katie at Minnie Mama's Blog said...

That is an awesome idea!! I think I will do that too -- thank you!

BTW my daughter has those same books that your sons were reading -- she loves them too! :)

Florrie said...

Happy SITS day!!!

I am loving this idea of taking a picture of things that are important to you/your kids....
After I transitioned my last and final child to a big boy bed, we got rid of the rocking chair that I rocked each of my four babes in.....I cried when I got rid of it, but frankly it was hashed and not something I wanted to hold on to. Then, about a week after we got rid of it I realized that I should have AT LEAST taken a picture of it....so now I'm going to have to go through all my pictures and pray someone got a shot of me rocking one of my babies in that chair.

Needless to say....I will not make that error again. Thanks for reminding me to stop and take a minute to document things that are really important to me.

LOVE the blog.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Great idea! And I SO love that "feet picture" too!!

Happy SITS Day!!

Keri said...

Hi, congrats on your feature today. i love the idea, one of those "of course" ideas. I think we would all like to see what our world was like when we were little. Have a great day. Nice, Nice bloggin there girl. Thanks, Keri

www.samwich365.com

Anonymous said...

Comfort, warmth and love all in one spot. Precious.

Unknown said...

Mind if I have a sit in your chair, that looks pretty comfy and I've got some reading to do.
Cheers!
C

Marrdy said...

I love this! I too had a chair, same color, when I had babies. I would fall asleep in that chair holding them across my chest. I miss those days!

Danae Hudson said...

I love your pictures!!

jonewman said...

I am positive that I don't take pictures of the kids rooms...that is an excellent point, thank you for sharing your knowledge...and what wonderful pictures of their feet...I love it!

Date Girl said...

What a sweet post, I love the chair. I'm not even married or a mom yet, but I already dream of buying the rocking chair. They're just so soothing to sit in, and to have a baby sit on your lap and cuddle while you read, that is my idea of heaven.

Happy Sits day!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea :) I just love the picture of their little feet!

Amy said...

What a great idea! I love that you have a special chair. My son has a corner in the living room with his books, crayons and a table and chair just his size. It is important for children to have their own space, and I think I need to start taking pictures of it now.

Mammatalk said...

Now, that's a wonderful idea. Too often, we don't take a pic b/c of the mess. But, we really should document their childhood rooms.

Hoity Toity Baby said...

I love the idea! They seem to sit there nicely together. My twins don't sit still for long. LOL

Delectable Dining said...

What a great idea! I want to grab my camera and go through the house now! I LOVE the feet picture-- Perfect! :)

Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) said...

I think that's a fantastic idea. I took a picture of each of the kids' rooms for their baby book but I didn't think of taking pictures of other special places around the house.

Holly Lefevre said...

I LOVE this post...so sweet....and the photos...too cute!! What a great idea to have a special place.
Holly

Geeta said...

Beautiful -
I hope one day I'll have a place as magical as that.

Loved that "Goodnight Moon" was in the mix. Have you read "Blueberries for Sam" ? It's wonderful :)

Geeta said...

...and by Sam I mean Sal :))

Jen said...

We have a chair like that too. Love it.

Happy SITS day.

Ali said...

What a great idea! We've been in our dream house a couple years now but I wish I had taken more pics of our first house--the one where our boys came home to and spent the first several years of their lives in.

Bentley Boutique said...

Happy SITS Day, from one mom of twin boys to another!! Mine have actually made it to 14:) There's nothing more wonderful than twin boys (said without bias, of course.)

KimMalk said...

I stopped in earlier, but was having technical difficulties! This is a great idea. I was recently wishing I had a photo of the high chair I used for my kids. So sad.
Happy SITS day!
@cheapchichome.

Meg said...

So cute! I love this idea, and your boys are adorable.

Synergy Girl said...

What a sweet post. I have had four children...so far...one on the way...but a rocking chair has always been one of those things I have always wanted and never had...this makes me really want to go pick one out...it also makes me think...I take so many pictures of the kids, but never of where they are...where they play...where they grow...thanks for the insight, and the beautiful words!!

Jennifer Haas said...

What a great chair!!! Your boys are too cute!!

Stopping by from SITS!

Lady Lex said...

OMG! This is the sweetest post i've ever read. I'm only 23 and haven't thought much about kids but your post has definitely hit a maternal nerve in me. I hope I can be just as caring, loving, and thoughtful with my kids.

yours truly,
Lady Lex
ineedprettythings.com

Momnerd said...

What a good idea to take pictures! I hardly ever take pictures inside my house because it's always a mess! This post was lovely!

Unknown said...

Great idea & wonderful pictures!

Lisa said...

It looks like a lovely place to relax with a good book...

shortmama said...

Now I want to come sit in that chair!

Anonymous said...

This is such a wonderful idea. I wish I had pictures of my childhood bedroom, I loved it. I'll have to take pictures of my boys' favorite places to hang out. But they're going to have to clean them first! ;)

AdriansCrazyLife said...

What a great post and such cute pictures. Popping in from SITS!

Missy said...

What a great idea! I love your chair.

Happy SITS day!

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Oh I am so inspired to grab my camera! I love to srapbook and your ideas of taking pics of meaningful things around the house for my boys to see later on is wonderful. I love it! And for the record, your rocking chair is WAY better than mine.

Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner

A Fist Full of Dandelions said...

Our chair is a place of fond memories too. I love to sit and rock my little one to sleep. That is the one place where I can take him and know he will calm down and be cuddly.

Aleta said...

Awww. I SO love this idea! I love taking pictures and never would have thought to take pictures of a child's room for the child to enjoy later in life. Something to remember in case God ever gives us His blessing!

Just A Normal Mom said...

That is sooo sweet!
Enjoy your SITS day!
***Ally

Bec said...

Love that feet pic!
Such a comfy, cozy, special family place!

House Queen said...

Stopping from SITS! Great post!

http://houseqeen.blogspot.com

Marit Bockelie said...

this is SUCH a great book! thanks for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

This brought tears to my eyes. What a great idea! So great to have all of these memories documented both in your posts and your photos.
pk @ Room Remix

Kari said...

What an awesome thing to do. I'm going to start documenting stuff like this for my daughter. My daughter (and I) love the book,"I love you through and through). I have a photo of her holding it like you have up top. My two gliders are the chairs where so much has taken place between me and my two kids - and just me, where I get to do most of my thinking while nursing or rocking a baby to sleep.

Sara said...

Stopping by from SITS to say--Lovely! Your boys are precious! We love "I Love You Through and Through" too. :)

Becky @ Babes in Hairland said...

Sweet post. Ours would have have to be my rocking chair in my "babies" room (she's almost 3 now) but we still love to cuddle in it and sit and read stories and also take "chair pictures!" I think it's totally important to have a place like this in your house. P.S. Love your music that plays on your site. Beautiful.

Happy SITS day to you.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

That is so special. I love the pic of their little piggies!

Kristin said...

Love, love, love this idea! I am all about creating special family moments...and capturing those moments for a lifetime!

Lisa said...

Ohhh, *tear* So sweet. Love the pics of the little feet and the "I love you" book one of your boys is holding is one of our faves at my house. Great idea.

Claudya Martinez said...

Just wonderful. I read "I Love You Through and Through" to my daughter all the time. Thank you for the inspiration to photograph these special places.