As parents, we all have times we vow that we will remember,

the way she sounded when she said "mama", the way he looks when

he sleeps, the way she skips around the house. Yet too often

our memories betray us, and we can't conjure up that image,

no matter how hard we try.

So here are some tips for capturing precious moments with our

kids:

1. Keep a notebook by your bed, and at the beginning of the

month, write down some of your most vivid memories of your kids.

It doesn't have to be long; just impressions of what you loved.

Then answer some questions: what's the funniest thing she said

this month? What's the naughtiest thing he did? What's her

favourite movie right now? Who is his best friend?

2. Use kids' hands for decorations. Take handprints in bright

paint and frame them in primary color frames (red, blue, yellow)

for decoration. Or let them put paint on their hands and then

use their hands like "stamps" on a shelf, a piece of furniture,

or even a wall.

3. Have your kids make scrapbooks of family vacations, or

just their summer. Let them write down their favorite thing

they did, or draw a picture of their favorite activity.

4. Every few months, go through their "artwork" that's on your

fridge, the floor of your car, and all over their rooms. Choose

your ten favorite pictures, date them and put them in a folder.

At the end of the year, go to Staples or Business Depot and get

them bound together with those comb binders (costs about $1.00).

5. Take videos everytime it rains and the kids don't know

what to do with themselves. Ask them to sing their favorite

songs, do a dance, or tell a story (when I lost my first

tooth, etc.) These will be precious to replay at their wedding!

Click here for more family activities.