Arts, Crafts, and other Nostalgia

During my last trip out to Arizona (where my parents live) I brought back some tupperware full of many childhood artifacts my mom had saved. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of things were promptly thrown out that my mom, bless her heart, probably didn't have the heart to do. Like a "scrapbook" of mementos I held to - such as a salt packet and straw wrapper from the Hard Rock Cafe I went to in San Diego. Or my 4th grade ice skating binder which was filled with newspaper articles and clippings related to Nancy Kerrigan or the '94 Winter Olympics. I wanted to be an ice skater when I grew up. We didn't even get an indoor ice rink until I was in middle school and by then it was too late . . . my Olympic dreams would never come to fruition. So sad.

But my mom did hang on to some stuff that I will keep, and that gave me a good laugh as I went through it. It reminded me of some of the cute things we have from Miles' childhood and I thought I'd share some of my favorites.

Just to highlight how obsessed I was with ice skating, here is the "About the Author" section of the book I wrote in third grade titled Learning on Ice. In it, my family moved to Colorado Springs and I took ice skating lessons (from Nancy Kerrigan, of course) and within three days I was able to do a triple axel. I'm a quick learner, what can I say?

My mom also saved some of my ribbons from summer swim team which makes me wonder just how many lanes that pool had. I'm guessing 13. Ironically I was in the advanced swimming class my freshman year at West Point.

And this cute note my mom wrote me when I was upset about not making the National Junior Honor Society one semester in 7th grade.

Five year old Caroline. We have a nearly identical picture of my mom about the same age with a similar outfit  and ribbon.

Now on to Miles. I saved a few of the writing assignments his mom gave us from when he would get in trouble (think Bart Simpson in the beginning credits of the Simpsons). I think I may bring this back. His first one would be something along the lines of, "I will volunteer to change more poopy diapers."

Not sure what year this was drawn, but Miles' portrayal of a Dragon going to the dentist.

This self portrait could not be more adorable. I especially love the wallpaper he chose for the background.

Cute note from Miles' dad. I like that he had to remind Miles that smart kids don't call things stupid.

 And last, but not least, adorable little Miles.

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