We are storytellers by nature.
Whether that’s because we’re southern, or just simply human – in my family, stories fill our days and nights. Some of our stories are funny, some are sad, some are serious and some (if told by Monkey) are highly embellished and exaggerated.
Stories are a way of keeping people alive in our hearts.
Stories are a way of preserving memories, passing along history and a way of bringing us closer together.
I encourage my kids to share their stories, to write them down, to draw them, record them, to save them…
My children spend hours lost in paper and crayons – putting their stories down on paper and presenting them to us like the priceless treasures they are
This year, for Nathan’s birthday – my kids wanted to do something special for him. Using their individual gifts – they wanted to create books that could travel with him, go to work with him and remind him every time he saw them of how much they love him.
Princess is an amazing artist and storyteller, so she grabbed her art supplies and made Nathan a book.
Monkey’s gift? He’s a natural born storyteller – he is animated and funny and has a gift for words, as everyone whose ever been around him for more than 10 minutes can tell you 
. At 5, he’s not quite able to write as well as Princess and he didn’t want to just draw Daddy a book. I assured him that we’d come up with some way to use his gift to make Daddy the best present ever.
Last week, while at HEB, I found it – A Hallmark Recordable Storybook. The moment I saw it, I knew it was what Monkey had to give Nathan.
As soon as Monkey saw it, he agreed immediately and ran to his room to read it:
How did we know it was meant to be? Take a look at the pictures of this Dad and Me storybook.
I had to share this video with y’all. Last night after Monkey fell asleep, I pried the book out of his hands and recorded a few pages out of the book. I love his voice, his imagination, the way he sees his Dad.
I love that my kids wanted to give Nathan memories this year. I love that stories, memories and heart are so important to my kids.
Happy Birthday to the love of my life. I can’t wait to share these with you, to watch their eyes light up as they tell you about each of their gifts and how they created them just for you.
Here’s to the memories and a million more stories.
Happy Birthday. I love you.
This post was written as a part of my work with Hallmark and their “Life Is a Special Occasion” campaign. This is not a paid review of the Hallmark Recordable Storybook – I bought that all on my own. The opinions, photographs, ideas and children are 100% mine.
I saw your update on Twitter. Now, I have the visual of your heart going BOOM! Thanks for sharing, mah sweet, suh-thuhn friend.
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MWAH
“Climbing a thousand trees and not even falling!” *laughing* Love it.
Ang, We had to re-record SEVERAL pages because I was laughing so hard at his answers.
There’s one about a rocketship, boat or dogsled — he said rocketship so they could fly around the ‘rorld’ and scare people in their underwear.
He makes me cry with laughter.
I’m sure Nathan is excited about scaring people in his underwear. I laughed so hard at that!!!
LOL – Bridget
I think Monkey meant other people in their underwear — then again, knowing him……..
Ha! My Mother totally tells people that our family is full of storytellers because we are Irish…but it’s really because we are southern. heh
Ha! Well, we’re Irish, too. Maybe we just got a double dose? Irish and Southern!
I so very much love this.
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Be it southern or just good ol you, You and your family are amazing story tellers and I just love reading about your fairytale over and over. You have inspired me, made me cry, definitely made me laugh and overall remind me of just how wonderful life is. Thank you Rachel, thank you. God Bless you and your family always.
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You are so wonderful. This just made my day. Thank you <3
Too sweet! Such thoughtful children you have. Wonder where they get that from?
And I’m not just saying this because it’s Hallmark, but those Storybooks are SO COOL. Genius invention!
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Perfect gifts for a perfect son-in-law. I can’t wait to see both books when I come to visit. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATE!!!!!!! BTW, this is a lovely post, my dear. And Monkey is just so naturally funny! What a blessing he is!!!!
You could not be any sweeter. And, you have me so wanting one of those– so cool!!!
Aww! Little Monkey’s voice is adorable and your Nathan is going to be beaming from ear to ear when he sees his gifts from the kids. Happy Birthday to him
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Well that is just about the sweetest thing ever!
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I love that book! We’ve got it hidden away to give for Father’s Day this year. Sweet kiddos!
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What a precious gift!
Best gift ever! Climbing 1000 trees? If anyone can do it, Monkey can. Cheers to Nathan! Happy birthday, man!
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I love this gift. It’s a forever gift.
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What a wonderful, sweet gift!
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Great post. I was checking constantly this webblog and I’m impressed!Little Monkey’s voice is adorable .
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Seriously, how cute is that? I love seeing the look on their eyes when they hear the voice.
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Just absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your life and your sweet children with us.
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Those books are the best. What a wonderful birthday time for your hubby!
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Oh, that is a super sweet and wonderful gift idea….I know he’s cherishing it!
(And, happy birthday to him, too , because I know I’m crazy behind.)
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