On Monday, we talked about how time flies by and our children are growing up so fast.  I almost can’t stand it!  We shared five important reminders to help us savor and celebrate the moments.  Which one did you need to hear most?

Today, I’ve got a fun and easy project to tangibly remind you to pause and enjoy the special time you have with your babies.  Now I made this frame three and a half years ago, so I don’t have the step by step photos to go with it.  But I’ll tell ya . . . it is super easy.  You’ll do great!  (And even if your kids are not toddlers anymore, do it anyway!)  *See the poem below.

What you’ll need:

• Signature Frame (Here are a bunch on Amazon.  There are lots of varieties and sizes.  If you’re kids are older or you have many children, check out the one that has the photo in the corner and leaves plenty of space for handprints.)
• Ink Pad – Larger is easier, but you can make a small one work.
• Pencil & Thin Sharpie Marker or Other Fancy Pen/Marker of Your Choice
• A Photo of Your Kids

1.  Remove the glass from the frame and mentally layout where everything will go.  Play with your kids’ clean, dry hands to see the size and desired angles on the mat.  (I kept the mat in the frame so as not to put anything under the hidden border underneath.  It also helped keep some weight to the mat when it was time to stamp hands.)

2.  Ink your child’s hand and practice on scrap paper.  Then re-ink and do it for real on the mat.  You may want to try to cover other parts of the mat so it doesn’t get bumped or smudged.  But don’t worry!  Even if your child dabs ink somewhere unexpected . . . it just adds character.  If your kids are little, try your best to spread out their fingers and be sure to press down on their entire hands and fingers to get the best print.

3.  With pencil, write out the poem (or other passage).  Then follow up with permanent marker.

4.  Write the kids’ names and ages near their handprints.

5.  Hang and remember that babies don’t keep.   I also like that the poem gives my cleaning schedule an excuse.  Oh wait, what cleaning schedule??

Poem Excerpt by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
For babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep. [1]

I’d love to see your work!  Share it on Facebook or Twitter and be sure to tag me!