Interesting topic Tracy.  My first honest memory was when I was about 3 or 4.  I know this because of the house we lived in at the time.  I know that we only lived in the house for a short time before my parents moved to a new home (in the northwest no less) in time for me start Kindergarten at age 5.

I have a few specific memories of things that happened in that house.  First, I recall sitting in the breakfast nook watching my mom construct the annual Easter bunny cake.  I remember the tin foil covered cookie sheet, long rabbit ears, and the licorice for the whiskers.  Ironically enough, I don't recall the Easter celebration itself, but I do recall watching her make it.  To this day, I love to bake and decorate cakes which I can only assume is a talent I acquired from my mother.

Another memory, although far less pleasant, was the time I hid behind my bedroom door eating potato chips that I knew I wasn't supposed to.  My dad worked the night shift and would come home in time for my mom to head off to work.  During their "shift change" I seemingly disappeared.  I recall them both calling my name over and over again and in some what of a panic (as any parent can relate) until suddenly they heard a loud crunch from behind my door.  My dad found me and asked why I didn't answer and I replied "Because I wasn't done yet."  Needless-to-say, the blanket sleepers were unzipped and my little toosh got a swift spanking.

Of course there are memories that I have been told as well, but I do not recall them specifically.  One such memory is the time my brother (he's 1½ years older--so about 5 or 6 at the time) and I snuck into the kitchen in the middle of the night looking for some snacks.  (My parents did feed us on a regular basis . . . I promise you).  I recall my mom saying that my brother and I had pulled a chair up to the counter and were standing on the counter with the cupboard doors open.  When she came into the kitchen she saw us (still standing on the counter) "hiding" as we had attempted to close the cupboard doors while still in the cupboards.   We thought we were so sly!

My brother and I were just having this conversation last week.  I have memories as early as 3.  We lived in Fresno for two years.  I wasn't in school, but I distinctly remember watching from across the street as my brother's school did May Day activities around a May pole.  I also remember screaming frantically in our pool when I drifted away from the steps (I was wearing a life jacket of all things), and I remember cutting dead flowers off my grandma's neighbor's plants (who gives scissors to a 3-year old??).  Other things I remember can be attributed to old photos, but these things I just mentioned have no photos associated to them.

Out of my 3 kids, my youngest daughter, 14, has that same ability to remember things she was way too young to remember.