Thursday, August 11, 2011

Age Two Revisited

One of the joys of a new move is finding new places for all our old treasures... reviving anything with a new location and a new focus. One of my future projects involves a Picture Gallery Wall.  I have a very large...ugly wall on the landing of our stairs. The wall is in much need of TLC and we constantly view it as we ascend up and down the stairs from all of our bedrooms to the gathering rooms below.  Here I will showcase our life, only visible to those who are invited up the stairs... and us.  I have a great design for the wall, yet must start at square one....new frames for old pictures.

In the past, I had one wall in my formal living or formal dining room set aside for "age two" portraits.  We began this large portrait setting with our first child.  This was long before you could do it yourself...so the first had a professional photographer....by the last, we went to one of those multiple-site photo shops.  Today I would do it myself with all of today's amazing technology.

As I took the pictures out of their formal gold frames to change them into more subtle frames....well, this mother walked down memory lane.

Today my Simple Pleasure is walking back through Age 2 of all of my six children.  Their personalities still speak to me from their pictures.  I heard their little voices, saw their smiles, and applauded who they were and are today.

First Born - Now age 28, married, business owner, where did the time go?

Second Born - Now age 25, college graduate in the real world

Third Born - Now age 22, finishing up his degree - stands 6'4"

Fourth Born - Only Daughter, now age 20, Exploring Life

Fifth Born - Now 15, caught his brother at 6'4", my only brown-eyed, curly-headed child

Sixth Born - The Baby of the Family,  our Cherry on Top - now age 5

Revisiting age Two....A wonderful Simple Pleasure
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33 comments:

  1. camp and cottage livingAugust 10, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Janette
    I wish I had thought of the age two idea! This would definitely be a trip down memory lane. They are all adorable, of course.You really had your hands full!
    Five boys-Wow I have great respect for you! I had three and a girl. They are all wonderful men now. Time went too fast though. And it is far too quiet now. But there is always the visits from the grandkids to look forward to
    Blessings-Kimberly

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  2. Nikki (Sarah)August 11, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    beautiful kids and to think where they are now....fabulous.

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  3. AliceAugust 11, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    What a great idea. I only did professional pictures with the first three, but like you said, there's so much one can do on their own now.

    TALL boys!

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  4. RebeccaAugust 11, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    Where DID they get their height? Are you or your husband tall? Hope to see a picture of the pictures hanging in their new gallery.

    What a great idea.

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  5. Jenny's HeartAugust 11, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    That is so sweet!
    They are all so cute.
    My family is just the opposite 5 girls and 1 boy and the boy is the baby (well he is 31 now!)

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  6. VeeAugust 11, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Oh I hope that you have an "age two" wall at your house. Cute idea!

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  7. VeeAugust 11, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresAugust 11, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Oh my goodness! That is definitely a great trip down memory lane. Such wonderful photos of your kids at the age of 2 -- and to think of where they are today. So fun! I love how the first ones all have a sailor outfit or a tie. The things we've done to our kids when they were young. Ha! Have a blessed day. Tammy

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  9. no spring chickenAugust 11, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Congratulations mom! Success. And what a handsome bunch!! Except for the one beautiful one...

    I love the idea of a wall of 2s. I didn't have the hindsight to be that regular with portraits and as you say, the picture quality from my old film camera and lack of photography skills left me with not a lot that is frame worthy. So, if I start now maybe I can create a wall of 24s. That's it!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  10. ChristineAugust 11, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    I really enjoy getting to know the families of blogging friends.
    This is so heart warming!
    Each picture is precious.
    Now, you should put a current picture by the "Two Year Old" picture.

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  11. TheresaAugust 11, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    What beautiful children! I think that is such a great idea for your landing. I love looking at family photos when I visit other people's homes.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 11, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Yes, Janette, simple pleasures in remembering our babies . . . when . . . Currently I'm in New England doing just that visiting my son, daughter-in-law, and grandbaby soon to be one with my daughter. Both mine are growon but oh! How they come to life as babies again in the face of my little grand! Look for her in my Pink Saturday post this week!
    Joy!
    Kathy
    P.S. What happened to Lucy??

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  13. SusanAugust 11, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Hello Janette....Oh, your wall will be fabulous with all those smiling little faces from years gone by!

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting. Loved having you stop by. Come any time, okay? Susan

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  14. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/August 11, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    What a beauiful bunch! I can't wait to see them 'hanging'!!

    Can you even remember life without kids? I can't, and I am so thankful to be in this new stage of "their kids"...

    You are so much fun! :)

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  15. NancyAugust 11, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    What precious children and what a great idea to do a "2 year old wall"....that way you can see and relive your memories every time you go upstairs.....

    I too love keeping lots of pictures around....Now it seems my grandchildren are taking over the walls but that fine with me.....

    Have a great day girlfriend....

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  16. Farm GirlAugust 11, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    What a lovely family. It does go by so very fast. Wow your sons are 6'4 amazing.
    I am glad you shared the pictures they are gorgeous.

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  17. CatherineAugust 11, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    It is amazing how quickly time goes by. You have a beautiful family. Many blessings, Catherine

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  18. Dayle ~ A Collection of DaysAugust 11, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Awww ... Janette. This is such a sweet post and a wonderful simple pleasure. I just about can't look at old pics these days without a little boo-hooing on my part.

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  19. PetraAugust 11, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    It's so good to meet you and your beautiful children. What a great idea to have an 'age two' wall. I too like taking those photo trips down memory lane. I could waste a whole day just wandering there. Blessings!

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  20. DebbieAugust 11, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Oh Janette I LOVED this...How cute they were! (probably STILL are, haha) I am soo with you. Where ever has the time gone? I didn't realize you had 5 boys and only 1 girl! How many similiar stories we could probably share...Hope you had a good day....HUGS

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  21. MaryannAugust 11, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    The wall of two's is a real cute idea.
    I was going down memory lane myself today. I was emptying boxes out of my garage and came across several of those gold framed photos of my own sons. Where did the time go?
    I enjoyed looking your photos

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  22. Ms.DaisyAugust 11, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Janette,
    Your family is beautiful...at age two and the beautiful people they have grown into. Love your simple pleasure.



    ~Jean

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  23. SallyAugust 11, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    I was digging and came across a journal I wrote when L. was 2 years old. So many things forgotten and how refreshing to revisit. I love taking trips down memory lane.

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  24. TannaAugust 12, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    I love the twos!! My oldest grandson is there... his mom doesn't always think it is such a fun age. LOL! Girl, you are some kind of woman raising five boys! There were five in my family, but I only could handle two! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

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  25. Barbara NeubeckAugust 12, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Hi Janette,
    What a clever idea having a 'two year old' wall.I love looking at photos of my children and grand children and I like making theme collages of similar photos. e.g all wearing sunnies.The family love this.
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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  26. Cecilia Marie PulliamAugust 12, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I love the pictures, Janette. What a wonderful way of remembering each child and the precious moments you had while they were still young. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  27. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Fun idea, Janette. They all look so cute. Forever 2 in our hearts, well, maybe not two...how 'bout one instead, before they learned to say, "NO." ;)

    Show us pics of your finished gallery.

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  28. CrickitAugust 12, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    What a cute idea! Great pics of all of them at 2!

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  29. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    This is such a beautiful idea! I only have 2 children ... what's my excuse? A truly lovely and unique way to showcase their little personalities at an early age. Precious.

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  30. Lea @ CiCis CornerAugust 12, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    How absolutely precious and how neat that the daughter came in the middle of all the boys. Love it! Good to drop by, I've missed visiting in recent weeks. My wagon has been loaded with caring for my precious Dad. Blessings to you my friend!

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  31. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentAugust 12, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Wonderful to have portraits at the same age.

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  32. Leslie @ Farm Fresh FunAugust 13, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Look at all the beauty you create - all around you! They are adorable!!! 'Course, now that I've seen that ravishing pic of you n your new Meg hair, n your handsome hubby, I know where they got it! Your new home must be amazing with all you've added to your walls!
    xoxo
    Leslie
    ps- yes, I DO still have sumthin for ya. Life's been xtra crazy but you are always in my thoughts n prayers. Today I take 4 tiny tots n ponies to a horse show. Lord help us all! ;-P

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  33. DebbieAugust 15, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    I am so glad that I didn't miss this completely even though I'm late! I love this simple pleasure, Janette. It's one of my favorites ever. I tried to scan from child to child to find similarities, and though I found plenty, they pretty much all have their own special look.

    You have a beautiful family. Just in case you didn't know.

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