Sunday, September 26, 2010

TIME CAPSULE OPENING...

We celebrated my daughter's birthday over the weekend. Not just ANY birthday. Her 21st! Her 21st birthday has been anticipated for a long time. Not for maybe the reasons you're thinking, though.

20 YEARS AGO on her first birthday we asked our family to participate in making a time capsule for our baby girl. I put the items in a box and wrapped it up and marked it "to be opened September 2010" It's been in the top of my closet wherever we've lived. Finally we got to get it down and open it! She didn't know anything about it until I mentioned it a month ago. So now my other two are wondering if they have them, too. (TIME TO FIND A NEW HIDING PLACE FOR THOSE!)

It turned out to be a wonderful time of reminiscing for everyone, especially us. Lots of expressions of love and affirmation for her. Many relatives put in an heirloom type item, instead of something about the year 1990. I didn't ask for those, it just happened. Here's some of the goodies from her time capsule party:

A time capsule cake, too!
Finally the moment has arrived...
Hard to read some of the sweet notes from our loved ones no longer with us...
Lots of treasures!
Collage card about 1990 from aunt and uncle
Our local newspaper 9/30/90
Sermon book signed by Great Grandmother Amy
Doily made by her Great Grandmother Betty
Toothpick holder from her Great Grandmother Flora's collection - she got to attend the party too!

A silver certificate dollar bill
Pictures of the twin history in Dad's family
Unfortunately this cassette tape made by her uncle singing a song wouldn't work for us!

I didn't post everything - there were lots of pictures and encouraging letters in it. I would urge any of you with young children to do something like this! It wasn't exactly easy - I'll admit I had to bug the family a bit and even give some suggestions - but it turned out really well. 21 years old turned out to be a really good age, too. She's past the unappreciative teen years (well, she never really was that way too much!) and starting to appreciate her parents and extended family more.

Go make some memories!

8 comments:

Elizabeth Mullins said...

What a great idea! I may have to do that with some of the letters I had people write for Corban...unfortunately, I didn't do that for the other two...guess I better get on that!

The 5 Arbuckle's said...

Very neat. It made me crying think of what your dad might have given her.

The cake completed your theme. Did you make it?

Mariah said...

I am for sure doing this! Great idea! What sort of things did you suggest for the boys box besides letter?
My email is marmar_pro@yahoo.com if you still want to be a blog buddy! By the way were you at church tonight (9-26), loved his sermon!

Lori said...

Wow, you really went to a lot of trouble!!! But what a wonderful experience for her as she turns 21. I bet your boys can't wait for their turn!

Lori said...

It was so much fun and so neat seeing and hearing everything. When we got in the car Lauren said, "Mom, did you do one of those for me?" I couldn't lie even though I would have liked for it to be a surprise. I told her that I've gotten lots and lots of neat ideas for them from Aunt Robin (and Uncle Dan, too).

Aubrie said...

I LOVE this idea! You may have started a trend now!

kj said...

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we are starting a little late...but will start it anyway!

Wa Wa Waughs said...

A: No, I didn't make the cake. Ikey Orick did.

My Dad put in some OC brochures and one about the Math department that had his picture in it. He also wrote a wonderful letter about what she liked at age one and what his hopes and dreams were for her. It was a tear jerker.