My kids' birthdays always make me a little sad. I guess it’s the same for every mom. Such a reminder that the days and years are fleeting. When I saw this idea from Donna at A Perfect Gray (via Marianne’s blog), I knew I had to do the same thing in our house.
(I have to admit, I’m glad I didn’t think about doing this until we moved into our current house. It would’ve been sad for me to leave this when we moved.)
I only have one small portion of the hallway painted so that we could start our own growth wall, starting with my oldest who just had his seventh birthday. I can just imagine how happy this little spot in our house will make me when I’m 80 and they never come to visit me anymore :)
And, if this freestyle growth chart isn’t your thing, here are a few other cute options I found:
realsimple.com
Speaking of growing and getting older, check back this afternoon and I’ll try to post pictures from my son’s birthday party that we had over the weekend. It was easy, fun and perfect for last-minute moms like me.
I love the giant rulers and the tracing of the hands.
ReplyDeleteI did a "growth wall " for my child, but I did it on a 24x60 inch piece of plywood that I painted and trimmed with picture moulding. I've been able to take it with us each time we've moved.
the shoes are KILLING me! a precious way to look back. I still keep jay's first pair of shoes on my night stand. emily, you honor me by featuring my "hand" wall. thank you so much...donna
ReplyDeleteThe "hand" wall is such a clever idea, we had the "grow stick" - it moved with us but is packed away in the attic awaiting the next generation. Our youngest just turned 27 - I've treasured every age, but this phase includes family margarita night ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove the giant ruler and the "hand wall" is such an adorable idea!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am hosting a fabulous giveaway. Come by and enter for a chance to win a designer beach umbrella (valued at $110)from Cocopani Australia!
http://www.mixandchic.com/2011/10/product-review-and-giveaway-cocopani.html
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
What a neat idea... I am so excited about making a growth chart for my boys - if only I can force myself to get to it! Materials and supplies are bought, just need to get started. :)
ReplyDeleteI would also like to mention your feelings about your children's birthdays, a reminder that they are growing up each year... a year ago next month, our friends lost their little girl to brain cancer, right before her 3rd birthday. I will never forget their happiness on her 1st birthday and then again on her 2nd birthday, meaning that she had lived for another year as she fought that relentless disease. I know they would've loved to celebrate many MORE of her birthdays, but her little body just couldn't fight the cancer any longer. Their experiece has caused me to love celebrating my children's birthdays. I no longer feel "sad" about them growing up... there are 1000's of families who wish their child could have ONE MORE birthday, I'm sure... I hope this will help you enjoy their special day a little more. One more year is worth a HUGE celebration in my mind. I love birthday parties, and can't wait to see pictures from your son's party!
It's always good to hear from you and your creative ideas are so inspiring. :)
Have a good day! Selena
Love any ideas that you can take with you, you never know if you end up moving or not - would hate to leave a great thing like this behind :)
ReplyDeletei want to make or buy one, but my baby isn't even in the world yet. perhaps when the baby starts walking.. :)
I love these ideas. I would want it to be something that I could always take with me. I don't want to make such a wonderful memory and the have someone cover it up with paint... or move away from it.
ReplyDeleteThat would be really sad.
The shoes are darling. That would be fairly easy to do too. I like that idea. :)
I love the big white wooden ruler. My parents used a big ruler like that, but just marked us on the inside of our pantry. I'm pretty sure the marks are still there! Love the idea of making a statement with those huge rulers:)
ReplyDelete~Jennifer
horaceandmae.etsy.com
That's a really sweet idea. That's so cool you know you're in your forever house!
ReplyDeleteI love this too but by all means do it on a framed piece of plywood or canvas so that you can take it with you if you need to move!
ReplyDeleteAwww, the wall with the handprints literally brought tears to my eyes. It made me stop for a minute and think how quickly my little ones are growing up!
ReplyDeleteI found this one and thought it was neat as well. When I was explaining it to my grandma, she suggested using sequins or beads as an alternative. http://pinterest.com/pin/124675479/
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ReplyDeleteLove all these ideas!!! Where were they when my kids, now 22 and 19, were little. :^)
ReplyDeleteI see that someone else suggested using painted plywood so that you can take it with you if you move in the future. I was also going to suggest using canvas which would also be "portable."
ReplyDeleteMy Grandparents had a wall like this in their home of 50 years - with children and grandchildren. After they passed away and the house was sold, the man who renovated it saved the board and is saving it for me. We plan to build it in our home when we build our dream home soon...I am so looking forward to adding my kids to that board and remembering all of those famiily members too!
ReplyDeleteThose are the nicest growth charts I have ever seen :)
ReplyDeleteThe shoes in the shadow box is a great idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I mark the wall in our beach house master bath...
ReplyDeleteWe just moved from a home and had to paint over our growth chart. It was very sad!
ReplyDeleteI wrote down the measurements and reapplied to a tall 8 foot cedar fence plank. I will stain and put at the new house. This time if we move it comes with me!
You should check out my custom growth charts on my blog! http://chiclittlethings.blogspot.com
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