I look back at a journal that I keep by my bed to record the things my kids say or do. Sometimes when I go back through it, I am surprised. Those details that I was sure I would never forget, I’ve already forgotten! You think you’ll always remember those precious details, but sadly, you’ll remember very few unless you record them some how. Here are some methods:

• Photo album (even just the kind where you slip the photo into a sleeve)
• Scrapbook (I am not fancy with my scrapbook. I don’t use any scrapping accessories, but I do like to journal on my pages.)
• Journal (one for the whole family or one for each kid)
• Audio recording (You’ll thank yourself for recording your little sweetie singing, “Twinkle, Twinkle” when she was just 2 years old.)
• Video recording (Be sure to use the date feature or get in the habit of announcing the date each time you video something or someone.)
• Online photo sharing sites (These store your digital photos. Organize photos into albums by dates or activities, e.g., DotPhoto or Shutterfly.)
• Blogs (Personal blogs are a great way to share stories and photos with family and friends.)
• Photo books (These are easy to create if you’ve been using an online photo sharing site and they make great gifts.)
• Calendar (Get an inexpensive calendar printed with your family’s photos and even birthdays and special dates included. Jot a note about something special that happened each day. Be sure to save it.)
• Memories ePlanner from ListPlanIt.com

What is your favorite way to collect and preserve your memories?