Posts Tagged: "keepsake"

Grandparents & Grandchildren Photo Session

Princess Diana - April 3, 2019 - Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day

There’s nothing like going to visit Mimi and Papi!

When I tell my kids I’m taking them to their grandparents house, they whoop and jump around as if I’ve just told them I’m taking them to Disney World.

Grandchildren have a special bond with grandparents that is unique from the parent/child relationship.

My two young boys are lucky to be growing up with their Mimi and Papi living only two miles away. Since the day each of my sons were born, their grandparents have been a huge part of their lives.

They are there for the big moments–holidays, birthday parties, and soccer games. As well as the small moments–learning a new game, trying a new food, or kissing a boo boo to make it feel better.

I know one day my sons will look back on their childhood and realize how much their grandparents influenced the men they became.

Capturing Precious Memories of Grandparents With Grandchildren

As uncomfortable as it is to say… grandparents won’t be around forever. Before time slips away from us, I wanted to capture this moment in their lives so my husband and I gave his parents the gift of a Grandparents & Grandchildren Photo Session.

Mimi, Papi, and my two sons had a photo shoot just for them!

Look at these precious moments so artfully captured! We will treasure these keepsakes forever.

Professional Family Photo of Three Generations

Queen Darlene - July 11, 2018 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Family, Mother's Day

I’m on summer vacation and reposting a favorite by our readers. Speaking of summer, it’s a great time for family photos!

It’s not an easy task to get three generations of one family scheduled on the same date and time for professional photos. Life just seems to get in the way.

That’s even more reason to pause and take the time to pose for those precious photos.

Professional Family Photos

Most people have nice cameras and even smartphones take excellent pictures, but professional photos should not be overlooked.

For my mother-in-law’s 80^th birthday gift, the family decided we would have a professional photo of three generations of our family made.

A photo of three or even two generations of family is a keepsake many family members will cherish.

Namesake Keepsake Ornament

Princess Diana - December 19, 2017 - Christmas

For me, one of my favorite parts of having children is picking baby names.

Boy did I have fun with it! Especially with my sons’ middle names.

My oldest son, Aiden, was born in 2012 during the Year of the Dragon so his middle name became Dragen. For my youngest son, Axl, I picked King because dragons and kings always appear together in stories… and it’s just sounds cool!

Keepsake Ornament Christmas Gift

I believe every kid should have their own special ornament on the Christmas tree so for both of my boys I gave them Namesake Keepsake Ornaments.

Hanging on our Christmas tree is a dragon ornament for Aiden and a crown ornament for Axl.

Finding New Homes for Old Photos, Post Cards, Letters & Mementos

Queen Darlene - July 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Family

When people pass away, they leave behind their possessions which include old photos, post cards, letters and mementos. When it’s you who has to sort through it all after a parent, grandparent or siblings dies, it can be overwhelming.

My mother-in-law broke her hip and we had to move her to a memory care nursing center. I am going through her keepsake photos and some of them she has kept for 70+ years.

I’ve done this before with my grandmother’s, mother’s and brother’s things after they passed away. It’s definitely hard and emotional.

I felt if they held on to it for so many years, then it must have been a sweet memory or a special place in their heart. I just couldn’t throw them in the trash! Continue Reading

Personalized Story Book Based on Child’s Name

Princess Diana - February 28, 2017 - Baby Shower, Kids

A individual’s name is near and dear to its owner’s heart. For children, especially so since they love learning the letters that spell their name.

The authors of the Lostmy.name books figured that out and created a magical story based on the letters of a child’s name.

When a boy/girl wakes up to find his/her name missing, he/she must go on an adventure to find it. Every story is different since it is based on the letters in a child’s name. For example, my son Aiden’s book has him meeting an Aardvark, an Imp, a Dragon, an Elephant, and a Narwhal.

Unique, Personalized Story Book

When creating a Lostmy.name personalized book to give as a gift, you can choose from the titles “The Little Boy Who Lost His Name” or “The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name.”

Stuffed Animals Displayed as Art

Queen Darlene - September 1, 2016 - Baby Shower, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Most of us have grown up with teddy bears or other beloved stuffed animals. Many of us still have them.

They are tucked away forgotten until we come across them stored away in the attic or closet. Oh… that warm fuzzy feeling of seeing your childhood companion!

I have a beautiful gift idea to display the lovable teddy bear and other favorite huggable animals.

Place the stuffed animal in a picture frame to look like art!

You can purchase frames, use frames you have around the house or look for frames at garage and estate sales at bargain prices. If you don’t like the color of the frame, simply paint over it.

I love DIY projects only if they are simple!

Caricatures Make Fun Birthday Party Favors

Princess Diana - August 11, 2015 - Birthday, Kids, Party Favors

When planning my son’s second birthday party, I knew there would be more adults than kids at the event. Kids don’t really have BFFs at that age.

So I needed something to make the party fun for both adults AND kids.

I first met Hector Lopez at the Oklahoma City Thunder Fan Appreciation Night when he drew a caricature of my son and me in less than five minutes. He’s that good!

caricature-birthday-party-favor2-thoughtful-gift-idea

Caricature drawings make for great entertainment and one-of-a-kind birthday party favors!

Queen Darlene saw the drawing hanging up behind my desk at the office and thought it would be a great idea to hire Hector for our agency’s employee picnic.

She’s got great instincts that one!

Our co-workers loved getting their caricatures done! Afterwards, walking through our building you could see caricatures everywhere since people proudly hung up their drawings inside their office or cubicle.

Perfect, I thought! I’ll hire Hector the caricature artist to provide the entertainment and party favors at my son’s birthday party. Continue Reading

Unique Personalized Baby Shoes for Baby Shower

Queen Darlene - June 19, 2014 - Baby Shower

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When my oldest son Dustin was born 33 years ago, a friend gave me a pair of leather baby shoes with his name and date of birth printed in silver on the bottom of the shoes. I thought it was the best gift ever! So from that moment forward it has been my unique personalized baby gift to all of my friends and family.

When there is a baby shower, I print a photo of the shoes from the website to give the mother an idea of what the gift will look like. I also wrap cute baby socks to go with the mock-up photo.

One Line A Day Journal | A Twitter-like Diary

Princess Diana - April 29, 2014 - Birthday, Christmas, Graduation

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I’ve loved scribbling about my thoughts, feelings and the highlights of my life into a personal journal every since I was a young girl. I’d write until my hands ached because it was important to me to capture every detail of whatever I was writing about so down the road I could recall the memory completely.

Many times I have laughed and cried from reading what I’ve written down. It really is a lot of fun to go back and read through your journal and be able to relive your thoughts and experiences from years ago.

Some people have never kept a personal journal. They might not like to write or they don’t feel like they have the time to write regularly. But think of the memories and important events they’ll forget because they didn’t write it down! Don’t let that happen.

I found a perfect solution to getting people to journal who haven’t done so before or who want to but can’t find the time – the One Line A Day Journal.

Make Someone the Star of a Book | Personalized Custom Books

Princess Diana - March 18, 2014 - Baby Shower, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Kids, Valentine's Day

Everyone likes to see their name in print. From children to grown adults. It makes us feel special when we become the star of a book. It turns an ordinary book into a keepsake.

I personalized a book for my son Aiden that tells the story that my love for him is forever and unconditional. It’s like what we say in my family, “I will love you for eternity +1.”

My favorite part of the book reads:

Aiden,
I love you as BIG
as a great lion’s roar,
and as deep as the ocean,
I love you much more.

And I love the message this sends about loving him even when he has misbehaved.

Aiden,
I love you when you’re nice,
and when you’re cranky too.
I love you without liking
the naughty things you do.