With the kids getting a little older, there is a sudden need for me to make sure that I am documenting the time we have left with all the kids still in the house. Though I always at the ready with my camera, pictures seem to stay on my computer, to be posted for family across the country and my scrapbooking days turned into more of an BOS art journalling project.
So for the coming summer, I am creating a Summer Family Journal. I’m going to start off with a spiral bound sketch book, the kind you can pick up at any art supply/craft store (or even the grocery store, though they tend to cost a bit more there). I am going to include in it all the things that you would include in a scrap book or a journal – ticket stubs, train passes, postcards, pictures – but I’m also going to ask the kids to personally something about each entry. Some days it will be “write something about our walk”, other days it will be “what was your very favorite part of our trip to the museum” or “write about one interesting thing you saw today”.
We won’t be taking a vacation this year, but instead plan on a “staycation”. With my oldest’s graduation coming up (and impending college expenses) and all the other things that crop up in life, we’ve decided that we will stay home this year and take advantage of living so closely to so many wonderful things to see and do in NJ and NYC. My sister will also be coming up from Texas for the very first time since we moved here in 1999, so I’m hoping to show her all the great things about our area. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to record our experiences!
Along with that, I plan on taking some personal walks and talks with my daughter, who is more and more showing her interest in being an “official” Pagan (and at 11 is going through a challenging time in her life, lol!). We live so close to wooded areas and the beach and don’t take near enough time out to explore them. This will be a great time to go out with her and discuss the basics of the Craft with her and spend some personal time.
At the end of the summer, I hope to have a great keepsake and have deepened my families connection to each other as the kids get older, more independent, and get ready to dive headfirst out of the nest.
I just wish I had thought to do something like this when they were really little!
What a great idea. We're going to do something similar, but with a three ring binder. Also, I can't wait til Summer and think I will probably run around my yard screaming on the last day of school.
I am starting a journal for my girls this spring I am using one of my jessica galbreth journals with mother earth drawing on the front… I am expecting our third daughter on june 22nd, so I divided up the book in three sections, decorated a page and put their baby picture on the decorated page… Im going to start out with the story of their births and go from there… I need to get pictures of the book after the newest one gets here…
What a great gift you're giving yourself and your family. You can keep continuing with your book for the sabbats and then special one's for each family member. Sounds like the future has some fun and exciting events coming up which is often much more satisfying than a vacation away from home.
Oh I wish I had thought of that a few years ago! What a wonderful idea Kris.
How fun that your daughter is expressing more of an interest in Paganism. I am looking forward to the day when I can talk with my daughter about my beliefs.
Ugh, I think things like this are so neat! It's times like these I really wish I had a camera! I never know how long I have with gamma and the dogs, as they're all well into their golden years, so I desperately want to chronicle the time I have with them right now.I really hope this goes well for you, Mrs. B.!
ahhh that will be a treasure for allenjoy your summer – we are heading into winter down under.Bright Blessings annie
This is an awesome idea!Hope you don't mind if I steal it? My daughter is still very young, that looks like a great habit to start!Of course my lady can't write for now, but she scribbles a lot!
We won't go much far either; no money, no time as my BF is taking summer classes as well… and being due for august 10th doesn't help!I'm so happy warm weather arrived thought!:)
What a great idea. I always wonder why we don't think of these things from the begining. It would be much easier! I just keep all their little diaries, notes, journals etc.. then when they are older I will give them back lol.
Thank you for the GREAT idea!!! I know my little girl would enjoy the heck out this project. [going to buy sketchbook now]
That's a wise decision, Kris! After digital camera, seems like we forgot to print the photos we take! I have tons of them on my computer as well, and photo albums are thin! It's wonderful that you got this insight and will make something memorable for your family.Simply keeping a diary to register thoughts and feelings about family and specially kids.I know later it becomes a treasure.
Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful summer and I love that you are encouraging your daughter's spirituality.