family book of quotes

Keeping A Family Book of Quotes

Kids say the funniest things.

Once your child starts talking, they never cease to come up with questions and comments that crack you up.

You might think you’ll remember this stuff, but there’s a good chance you won’t.

My boys are teenagers now and I’m kicking myself for not keeping a family book of quotes much earlier.

I used to say, ‘I’m going to write that in my book of quotes!’ as a joke, but I never got around to actually doing it until they were six and nine.

Better late than never! Our family book of quotes is a source of great amusement to me and I turn to it whenever I could use a good giggle.

To be honest, most of the quotes are from my husband. I’m often left speechless at the stuff that comes out of his mouth. They fall into the stupidly funny category, or so annoying that I may as well laugh about it rather than get upset.

Like the time he arrived at the gym, found me over on the cross training machine and said, ‘Wow – your ass is looking amazing! At first, I didn’t even think it was you!’

Ah, geez thanks?! You were staring at some other chick’s ass before you realised it was mine…

Or the time I asked him if he could be less serious and more positive. His reply: ‘Too much unchecked positivity will send you to Coo-Coo Land.’ (???) 

I couldn’t resist writing down a stupid quote from one of my loveliest friends too. She was recommending a film she thought we’d like to watch with our teen and tween. ‘It’s called A Knights Tale. Keith Ledger made the film, before he died.’

Really? Not afterwards?? We had fits of laughter over it at the time and it makes me smile all over again when I see it in my book of quotes.

My family book of quotes also include brief snippets of stories I want to remember. Such as the time the school nurse called to say that my eight-year-old had squirted Tabasco sauce in his eye during lunch break. In all of her years of being a school nurse she thought she’d seen it all, but this was the first of its kind. And she wondered why I was sending him to school with a bottle of Tabasco sauce in his lunchbox. What can I say, some like it HOT! (You may have seen on my About Me page that I keep a mean hot sauce collection.) 

our family book of quotes

Kids say and do the funniest things!

Or there was the time I swam up beside my son who was looking off into the ocean with the most serene and meditative face. ‘What are you thinking about?’, I asked. He dreamily replied, ‘How good it feels to pee in the ocean.’ (I swam away very quickly!) 

Using a family book of quotes to capture the amusing (or sweet or smart) things your family members say or do is a fun way to keep those memories alive. You may think you’ll never forget that one, but I’m telling you, there’s a good chance you won’t.

If your child is tiny, start one right away. And if they’re older, don’t think it’s too late. Teens say the funniest things too!

In 2014 I wrote that as I was pulling a roasted chicken out of the oven, my 14 year old walked in and said, ‘Mmmm – that pig looks so good!’  Sigh. (City boy.) 

Try not to overdo it though. It could be tempting to write down too much, which would spoil the natural flow and make family members feel like their every word is being scrutinised.

Just save it for the real humdingers.

My little worn-out family book of quotes is nearly full, so I was overjoyed to spot this cute blank notebook with quotations marks at Ikea. Perfect for the sequel to our family book of quotes!

book of quotes

Our newest book of family quotes (bought at Ikea)

My family have pointed out that I don’t seem to write down the stupid stuff that comes out of my mouth.

I guess I never say anything stupid. 😉

In the comments below, tell me what you think about keeping a family book of quotes. And share any memorable quotes from your kids. I’d love to read them. 

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27 Comments

  1. Justine on March 14, 2016 at 10:29 AM

    I love this idea and I’m happy you’ve said it’s not too late to start when they’re older. You are so right that you think you will remember because you do forget! I am definitely going to do this and must get to Ikea because I love your new one!

    I always love your ideas and I meant to thank you for the vision board idea. I did this with my daughter and we both keep adding more pictures and some of the pictures from two years ago are already coming true for us! Thank you for Project Me, it is the one blog I read every single week.

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 11:04 AM

      I’m so happy to read this Justine! I love sharing ideas and it’s always great to get feedback like yours 🙂

      Until you get your actual Book of Quotes going, use a notes app on your phone to capture them. Then transfer them into the book, as that makes a better keepsake!

  2. Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 11:09 AM

    I didn’t share this story in the blog itself, but here’s another one if you’ve made it this far:

    Back when my boys were really little they were sharing a bath. I was putting clothes away in the room next door and listening to them talk.

    Younger son: I’ve got a willy.
    Older son: I’ve got a willy too.
    Younger son: Daddy has a willy.
    Older son: Yes daddy has a willy.
    Younger son: Mummy has a willy.
    Older son: No, mummy doesn’t have a willy. Mummy’s got a string.

    !!! Yikes.

  3. Mama G on March 14, 2016 at 11:51 AM

    I don’t have a book, but I have a blog, which quite regularly features a ‘Shiz my kids/husband says’, captured for posterity, forever. My husband is the worst, his most recent howlers include ‘Parmesan lunch’ which was meant to be ‘Adam’s lunch’ and on the weekend we had ‘Fastrybook’. A cross between a social network and a pie crust, maybe? He is on an alternate day fasting diet though so maybe it’s getting to him? I have a 9 year old who manages to be offended by most things, Phil Neville – ex Manchester United footballer – is dead to him, as an example. He used that phrase. Then I have an autistic 12 year old who thrives on the inappropriate and random, Mum, what’s a boner? Mum, how fast do dogs run? Mum, do baby crocodiles make cute noises… And lather rinse repeat…
    Thanks for a much needed laugh this morning x

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 1:08 PM

      Great to know your hubby is good for a laugh too Mama G! And thanks for sharing the stuff your sons say too. You’ve given me a laugh too! 🙂

  4. Lucy on March 14, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    Just had my six year old call out on the packed plane to me as I walked up the aisle “Mum bring me some cocaine, I need some more cocaine”! “Uhhh.. where did that come from? Apparently, rather than me or any member of my family having a drug habit, she has been watching those programmes about border controls at the airports and all the drug searches and has picked up the word there and made a connection with drugs and planes. Nice way to start the family holiday though!

    • Mama G on March 14, 2016 at 12:26 PM

      I’d have died. That is priceless.

      • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 12:40 PM

        Oh jeez – I’ve had slumped down in my chair and tried to pretend he didn’t belong to me!!!

        My teens are also into watching Nothing To Declare and love to kill time in the airport security queue scrutinising everyone and guessing who’s storing drugs up their arse…. I have to keep shushing them, while trying not to laugh!

        Thanks for sharing Lucy 🙂

  5. Mama G on March 14, 2016 at 12:26 PM

    Oh, I thought this one was worthy of a mention, my parents were watching some James Bond film the other night, and apparently one of the characters was on the floor, and another pointing a gun at him. The one on the floor said something. My mum started giggling and when my dad asked what was so funny, she said ‘What a thing to say. Chicken shit.’ What had actually been said was ‘Finish it’.
    Lucy’s narcotic based story above just reminded me of another one. We caught my (then) 9 year old daughter belting out a Kylie song. The song in question, ‘Like a Drug’. My daughter’s take on it? ‘Like a duck’. She’s never lived it down. We couldn’t breathe for laughing. Especially now she’s a teenager and Emo, it makes the tale all the more amusing to tell!

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 1:08 PM

      OMG – I do hope you’re writing this stuff down Mama G! 🙂

  6. Mariah on March 14, 2016 at 1:33 PM

    I don’t have a book and I NEED to do this. My mom encouraged me to start one when our first daughter was born! I’m a little behind 🙁

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 1:43 PM

      There’s no time like the present Mariah! Even though I was kicking myself for starting late, you can see how much joy I’m getting out of it even at this stage, so GO FOR IT! 🙂

  7. Christine on March 14, 2016 at 6:11 PM

    Yes, I’ve kept quotes of my kids for years. They’re a great pick-me-up when they make trouble! I definitely should add my husband, because we’ve had that same gym scenario, “I saw a new fit babe at the gym, and then I saw it was you!” He was so proud, but what?!

    “You don’t even need to pay a dog to lick your feet!” Well, no, but ew. This gem is over 17 years old and still comes up at holidays.

    “Ukuleles have such a positive attitude.” So happy the school teaches ukulele!

    “And blue lipstick in Japan. Because anything can happen in Japan!”

    These are some of our favorite crazy moments!

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 6:52 PM

      Love it Christine!!! Our hubbies sound like they’re cut from the same cloth… 🙂

  8. Denise Dare on March 14, 2016 at 6:13 PM

    Yes!

    Such a heart warming idea, Kelly!

    I don’t have a designated family book of quotes, but I’ve been keeping a journal for each of my girls since they were growing in my womb and I record lots of their sweet musings and silly sayings in those.

    The past few years, I’ve also been using my Notes app to write down beautiful thoughts and the things that make me laugh when we’re together.

    Such a simple and loving way to honor and make sacred the everyday experiences we share.

    A book just for quotes may come soon. 😉

    Thank you for encouraging such awareness and connection!

    Love & Hugs,

    D

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 6:54 PM

      Thanks for your super sweet comment Denise. It was all going a bit down and dirty until you came to clean it up with your love and light! Love & hugs back at ‘cha xxx

  9. samantha on March 14, 2016 at 8:26 PM

    I’ve been writing all these funny things down about my two children for the last 4 years now on scraps of paper or in my phone but having got around to collating then all together in a book yet. Thank you for the prompt to get on and do it!
    One question though, do you do just one family book or one each for your children to keep when they are grown up?

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 14, 2016 at 8:53 PM

      I’m all for keeping it simple. I feel like if I had separate books for them I’d be worrying that the quotes are not evenly distributed between them. I just wack them in there with the date beside it, sometimes out of order if I realise I had one on my phone that I forgot to enter.

      Also, I do think this book is more for my enjoyment than theirs and they probably won’t even want it when they’re grown up! It’ll keep me giggling in my rocking chair when I’m old and grey 😉

      Have fun with yours Samantha! x

  10. mairi on March 15, 2016 at 10:18 AM

    Hi kelly, fab idea! I do it on and off, and in a book (if i can put my hand on it!) – but good reminder.
    makes me think of a lovely idea that a friend of mine got when I was about 24 and he’d turned 18. For his Birthday, his mum gave him her diary of his growing up! Since he was in her womb and all the feelings, episodes, moments happy and sad, and then came the anecdotes. He was in tears just telling me about it. The best ever 18th pressie I think!!
    I started my family not long after and tried to the same, including what a lovely relationship my first born had with my dad, the grandpa who died just s couple of years later and that he never really knew… I really wished I’d kept it up.
    Great idea for someone more disciplined than I.
    Thanks as always! Mairi

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 22, 2016 at 6:41 PM

      That’s so lovely Mairi! I know what you mean about how challenging it is to keep something like that up. What a fabulous gift though! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

  11. Charu Mehrotra on March 15, 2016 at 11:46 PM

    This is a fantastic idea. I was regular with it few years back, it is a very good reminder. thank you so much Kelly!

    Best wishes,
    Charu

    • Kelly Pietrangeli on March 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM

      You’re so very welcome Charu. Little reminders are great, aren’t they? xx

  12. Sam R on March 18, 2016 at 5:52 PM

    Hi Kelly – whoop whoop – I do actually do this already! OK so don’t have a book as such, but i do save it on my phone and will transfer it…someday.

    Here’s one of my favourites, from this time last year:

    Daughter: Mum, some people catch deezis.

    Me: Sorry darling? Some people catch diseases?

    Daughter: “No….some people catch deezis and then they put him on the cross.”

  13. Sam R on March 18, 2016 at 5:53 PM

    I should have mentioned that she was 3 at the time!

  14. […] love this idea which came from Kelly Pietrangeli at Project Me. I keep our family quote book on the hall table so I can scribble down funny phrases or current […]

  15. […] love this idea which came from Kelly Pietrangeli at Project Me. I keep our family quote book on the hall table so I can scribble down funny phrases or current […]

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