Height Wall
As I’ve gotten older, I have found a lot of joy in doing things with our kids that I used to do with my grandparents. We were lucky to spend a lot of time with them growing up, and two of the most nostalgic memories I have is the height wall at one grandma’s house, and the cookie jar at the other’s.
Since we moved into our home in 2018, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with the wall at the top of our stairs. Until one day I was going through old pictures on my phone, and I came across a photo I had taken of the height wall at my grandma’s home.
Every year (or probably much more since it was a big deal to see if we’d grown), we would stand against the wall and get our height measured. I know I was on my tip-toes sometimes. Sorry gram! But we all loved looking back to previous years and seeing the differences in height, and comparing who was taller between us five girl cousins.
According to these very factual measurements, I stopped growing in 2001 (8th grade). Ugh. But anyway, I really hope our height wall can be filled as much as this one was. Our daughter just turned five, and one of the things she was looking forward to most was getting her height measured. This made my heart happy.
This year she wrote her own name, too. So sweet.
I didn’t have all the heights of our kids, so I got them from our pediatrician and marked their heights from previous years.
I love this stool from Serena and Lily. It doesn’t take up much space at the top of the stairs, and is the perfect size as a plant stand. I got it when it was 20% off, too. Score.
Also, my first Cricut project didn’t turn out so bad, either. Thank goodness for YouTube tutorials. And a sister-in-law who lets you borrow it!
Cookie Jar
When you think of your grandma, is there one specific thing that first pops into your head? For me, it was making cookies with her. She was always cooking and baking, and when the cookies were done, they went straight to the cookie jar.
My grandma painted this herself in 1968 and I love the late 60s/early 70s vibe. Please note it was not me who put the crack in the lid, but the glued-on acorn I definitely had something to do with. One of the best things about this cookie jar (or worse when you were little and trying to sneak one), is that it makes a very distinct noise when the lid is put back on and I guarantee you that anyone in our extended family would know that exact noise if they heard it.
This is a photo from the first time Adeline and I filled the jar with one of grandma’s cookie recipes. I’m a long-shot from saying I’m a good cook or baker, but I think a few of my friends would tell you I’m getting close to the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The simple life, amiright?
Share with me the traditions you have kept alive in your family! Or maybe you’re feeling inspired? Tell me how!
twss,
Kelsey
Such a great tribute to our beloved grandmas Kelsey ❤️ Tugged at my heart strings in the perfect way.
I’m so glad ❤️ Pretty special ladies!
I loved my Grama enough 2 tell her I would do the closing prayer at the doll show 4 the mother/daughter banquet at 5 or 6 yrs old. After the banquet in the basement we all lined up in the bathroom across from the chapel where the doll show was. Grama came in n said it’s time n I said I’m waiting 2 go 2 the bathroom n she said not now. My cousins n 3 sisters sat in the 2nd pew n all the parents n g’parents stood in the back. Of course us 4 sisters were in our best homemade look alike dresses.
I started wiggling n got the nerve 2 turn around 2 ask Mom if I could go 2 the bathroom n I got a silent No, turn around! The longest 5 min of my life was getting the nerve 2 turn around again n mouth Please n she mouthed NO w her stern look. She gave me no choice…I pissed my pants, my new dress n the pew n watched it run down n get my sisters n cousins wet. We all scooted 2 the front of the pew.
I don’t remember anything about the doll show but then came the worst part when Grama introduced her beautiful g’daughter would now say the closing prayer. I shook my head NO only 2 have her tell me 2 more times that I promised but OK 4 u. Those few words r all she ever had 2 say 2 make me jump. I swear the whole church heard the squish sound w every step as it ran down my leg 2 my sox n into my shoes. N of course now I was crying n ruined the prayer that she taught me…n I taught my kids…n I taught my g’kids:
TIME FOR GOD
I had a dream that Jesus came!
He looked at me and said my name.
He said to me:
You need not fear
I will take of you my dear!
N Grama leaned down n whispered in my ear:
I’ve never been more ashamed of you! As she smiled 2 the crowd!
I am so sorry! Makes me want to hug that little girl. I can see why you never forgot that story!
I don’t have many personal memories of my grandmothers, more cousin memories of things we did at her house, but my Emily spend several days with her great Grandma Amy while I was staining EVERY LAST LITTLE BIT of wood for our home and the nickname Peaches will always put a smile and a twinkle in both of our eyes. I can still hear it being said in her sweet sing song style when we reminisce.
That is so sweet! And grandmas are priceless when parents need to get stuff done!