It’s always at night, when I’m putting them to bed. Or maybe as they’re gazing out the window from the car.

Kids say the cutest (and funniest) things, like, all the time. But there’s something about those unguarded, quiet moments that brings out the absolute sweetest–and most creative–little phrases.

Here are a few from around here these days:

Our middle is in the habit of catching lovebugs, which she names–every single time–Mary and Larry.

My son has this sweet habit of grabbing my hand and rubbing my fingernails as he falls asleep, telling me how much he loves me and wants to marry me.

I seriously can’t stand the sweetness.

No matter how much we tell ourselves we won’t forget these tender little moments, the exhaustion of parenthood means we inevitably forget at least a few.

No matter how much we tell ourselves we won’t forget these tender little moments, the exhaustion of parenthood means we inevitably forget at least a few. [This solution] is super simple, and it’s free.

So in a bid to remember all these sweet moments, I started doing something to solve that pesky parent memory problem, and I still do it to this day. It’s super simple, and it’s free.

Here it is:

Just open an email account for your kids–preferably their names, something they can continue to use even when they’re older–and each time they say something sweet, tap out a quick email to that address.

Of course don’t forget to cc yourself, and make the subject line the same thing, so when you’re searching them later on, they all come up.

Now, when I need a little mood lift, I search my email and remember the cutest things that these little people have said over the years.

Simple, practical, and absolutely soul-melting.

What do you do to remember your little ones’ sweet moments? I’d love to hear more in Comments below!