What's the earliest thing you remember from your own childhood? I think a lot of times with little kids we assume they won't remember it as they get older, but it's amazing how certain things - and not even "important" things as we adults might judge them - stick permanently in the childrens' minds ...

I know some of my happiest early memories were riding my tricycle naked (or in underwear) around in the rain, how it was such a joy. It was probably such a simple thing for my parents, but to me it was amazingly fun ...

One of my earliest memories was when I was only about 3 or 4. My Dad was holding me and talking to someone else. I reached over while his head was turned and picked up his beer. (I didn't know I wasn't supposed to drink it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) I took big gulp! My Dad was turning back around just as I was spitting it right back out! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> LOL He got it right smack in the face. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I remember I kept spitting and wiping my mouth because it tasted so foul. I remember looking at my Dad who started laughing so hard he was crying. He finally took pity on me and gave me something else to drink so the taste would go away.

It's funny but that one memory has stuck with me all these years and as I've grown older I've realized that it was his laugh but more importantly the loving acceptance that makes it such a special memory. I know an awful lot of people who would have been mad as heck! He wasn't.

Although my children are only 9 & 10 I'm amazed at the things they do remember. It appears that small things that I wouldn't have thought made a difference in their lives had an amazing effect.

Wow, that does sound like a great memory on many levels!! Good for him in finding the humor in the situation <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's funny that I remember the tricycle, but we took a trip to Walt Disney World and I don't remember it at all really. I had a diary at the time so I have those notes, I was 8 or so I guess, but I don't remember it. I remember orange trees - my stepmom's dad who lived nearby owned an orange grove.