Project Life Layout, January 22 - 28 {Week 4}

January 22 - Today was the Horse 4-H clubs toboggan day.  Daddy and our youngest getting ready to go for their first ride of the day in the first picture, and a collage (done in picasa) of the days best pictures is next.

January 23 - This afternoon our oldest was relentless at hounding daddy to saddle up one of our horses and do exactly what they had done yesterday.  I love that my son is the focus - that wasn't really planned.  The whole shot was to be daddy walking away and kids watching him.  I think this turned out better - my son turned to look just as I snapped it.

January 24 - Our second last crop night before our group disbands.  It has been a great way for me to finish up my 2010 album.  I used my own product but followed the idea of Project Life.

January 25 - Hockey Night in a tiny little town in the middle of no where, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Kids want to play hockey, my girls are no exception to this, but, we don't want to commit the time necessary to be on an organized team.  The parents of about 25 other kids feel the same way and a couple of the dad's are donating (yes, this is free for our kids), their time to teach the kids skill and scrimmage.  The kids love it.  I went to the rink today and no kidding took over 100 pics, none of which turned out great.  If you have a secret, please share, but setting the ISO high left nothing but very grainy pics that even when edited for noise, didn't look great.  So I opted to turn them black and white.  This template is an 8.5X11 from Ali Edwards 'A Week In The Life' that I downloaded from designer digitals.  The plan is to print the collage from January 22 and this one and use them back to back in the same 8.5 X 11 page protector in the middle of my layout for the week.  I am going to use the turkey picture in the 4 X 6 pocket of the layout.  We were coming home from hockey and spotted a number of wild turkey's that were literally in the process of flying up to the tops of the trees for the night.  I honestly never thought turkey's did this but it is true.  We got to see the last of the turkey's do just that.

January 26 - Christmas of 2009 was when this collection started in our house.  Playmobil - the boys, and the girls for the matter spend countless hours playing with it.  They loves Lego as well, but there is something about this playmobil that they love.  Even I think all of it is adorable!  This is one thing that my son definitely takes very good care of.  It isn't stored with the rest of the toys downstairs, there are special buckets in his bedroom that it is tucked back into once he is done with it...(well, usually!)

January 27 - We live in an area that the locals would call 'The Valley'.  Along a narrow river that is surrounded with hills and coulees.  There are quite a number of white tail deer that live here also.  The previous owners of this place used to put up electric fence to try to keep them out of the yard so they wouldn't do much damage to things.  It may have worked, I don't know.  When we moved in, we took the electric fence down.  Any given day you will see them bedded down along our pine tree shelter belt.  In this picture (taken from my son's bedroom window - I didn't want to venture outside in case I chased them away) you can see 6.  There were two more that I couldn't fit into view.

January 28 - I had decided what my POTD was going to be earlier in the day.  Once this happened, that all changed.  My youngest son had been battling a fever since yesterday morning.  He had spent the morning laying on the couch watching some videos while I finished up school with the rest of the kids.  After lunch, I sat and cradled him as he was having some nightmares, likely due to the fever.  Once I got him calmed down and back to sleep, I laid him down and started up the stairs to our main floor.  Coming down the stairs to greet me were these two kidlets.  One with a glass of water the other with an apple.  I asked them what they were doing.  "Go sit down mom, we are bringing this down for you."  "How come?" was my next question.  "Because mom, doing something nice for you makes us feel happy."  Ahhhhh.  Forget the other picture.  I told them to stand put so I could run and grab the camera.  They were so proud, and so was I.  These are those moments that make me just melt!

Kids And An Allowance

Do you give your kids an allowance?  When do you think they are old enough to earn an allowance?  These are some questions I wondered about for myself.  When ever we went somewhere, my two girls who are the oldest of my four, always want to buy something, but they have no money.  Do I always buy it for them?  No.  I don't think I need to, all of the time. 

I homeschool our kids and have decided that it is time they really start to learn the value of money.  What better way to do this than to pay them for work they do and they can see the money pile up.

A couple of months back I made of list of age appropriate chores that they can do.  Clean the toy room, take clothes out of the dryer for mommy, make their beds, even brush their teeth (that is a chore for most kids...).  I likely have 14 or so items on the list.  To each of those items, I decided what to pay the kids if they did it.  I made a spreadsheet that includes all seven days of the week.  Each day has three columns, one for each kid (the youngest is too young for this).  When someone does one of them, there is an "X" put in their column beside the very job that they did.  At the end of the week, I tally it up and pay them their allowance.  A dime here and a quarter there adds up.  For my oldest, it added up to $5 last week, second oldest $4.50 and my son $4.00. 

I am not forcing these kids to do any of it.  They want to.  It is their choice.  I don't see anything wrong with giving children the option to help out in the home and they are learning responsibility at the same time. 

Not only do I want to stress the value of money, but the importance of not just buying something for yourself, but sharing it with someone who may need it.  I told the kids they can save it and buy something they want for themselves, but it is important not spend all of your money on yourself either.  Maybe there is a missionary that could put that money to good use.  Maybe there is a sick little child in the hospital and a new stuffed animal would brighen their day.  I want my children to grow up thinking of others, and not just themselves.

This has proven to be very successful in our household thus far.  I will continue as long as it is working.  As they get older, the list will change, and so will how much they get paid.  I think if I was a 10 year old, and my mom was paying me .10 to brush my teeth, I would never forget...lol!

I would love to hear what other mom's and dad's do out there.

Project Life Layout, January 15 - 21 {Week 3}

January 15 - Every week my kids learn a verse from The Bible for Sunday School.  Today I thought it would be a great idea to capture Ty saying his verse.  Once the kids learn six verses they get to pick a prize.  Last week he learned his six, so this week he starts a whole new card.  Good Job Ty!

January 16 - And yet, there is more snow...in the past couple of days we have had between 4 and 5 inches of snow dumped on us.  I took a picture of our the stairway coming into our west entry (it is not used so has been undisturbed), and there was at least that on those stairs.  I couldn't get out of my yard with our minivan so today was a 'snow day' for us.  I completed 9 pages in my 2010 album and the kids played.  By nightfall I realized I had not taken any pictures for the day so I bundled up and scurried outside to see what I could snap.  What turned out was completely by mistake.  I was actually trying to take a picture of a deer that was in our yard.  You can't even see the deer in the picture.  But when I loaded it and seen all the snow that was captured falling, I knew this would be my choice for today.

January 17 - Everyday I take a ton of pictures.  Trying to learn different techniques, effects, applying actions in PSE9, etc.  This morning, just as it was getting light I wanted to try the beautiful BOKEH effect.  There is a tiny tree with some lights on it outside my son's bedroom window.  Why not prop his monkey against the window and play.  I don't think it turned out terrible, but am sure it could be alot better. 

January 18 - I am not sure who was more nervous - my daughters who had to do their speech or me?  Our girls are involved in our local Horse 4-H Club and this night was their night to tackle public speaking.  We have spent the past few weeks memorizing the speeches.  They did wonderful!  My little six year old marched up on the stage and it just rolled off of her tongue!  Sydney took her note cards up with her but only looked down a couple of times.  I disliked speeches with a passion when I was a kid, but they hardly seemed nervous about it.  I was so proud of them!  I am going to print a copy of their speeches off our computer and include them in my Project Life Album.

January 19 - At last, daddy is off call.  Time to play.  Ty loves to do his puzzles and loves it when daddy can sit down with him and just watch.  I almost didn't take this picture...so glad that I did.

January 20 - Spur of the moment is best.  Just before supper we got a call from some friends to come over for game night.  So fun.  The kids had a blast and so did the adults.  Played a new game called Ticket To Ride.

January 21 - This is only our second winter on this acerage.  Last year we had snow of course, but not enough that we absolutely had to push it.  This year, it seems there is alot more snow in the yard.  We don't own our own tractor but we have a generous neighbor across the way that we can borrow from.  Today, we could get out of the yard, but we weren't getting back in until my husband got out and pushed the snow.  My son of course had to jump in with daddy.  He misses his 'tractor' days with daddy.  We used to have a cattle farm up until two years ago when we sold it (and the tractor) all and downsized to a 6 acre acerage with 9 gorgeous horses.  In the future, we will need to purchase another one but for the time being, we can borrow the neighbor's. 

Becky Higgins, Love One Another Print

In the last year I have become a huge fan of Becky Higgins and her style {creator of the absolutely fantastic PROJECT LIFE}.  Today she added a free download to this print on her website.  I printed one for our living room and one for our girls bedroom.  They look so great!  Thank you Becky!

Project Life Layout January 8 - 14 {Week 2}

Here is the complete layout for {Week 2}.

Close up of page 1 of {Week 2}.



Close up of page 2 {Week 2}.

On January 13 I had taken so many pictures that it was pretty impossible to just pick one.  I chose the main 4 X 6 for the two page layout, but then decided to make a collage using the free program Picasa.  I use adobe elements 9 for many of my photos but also you Picasa and Picnik.  I made the collage an 8 X 10 size and will make a custom page protector out of a 12 X 12 protector following this method.  I found an old protector for the time being and will need to do some shopping for a new pack of them.  I won't bother sewing it up until I get that actual photo developed (I am just printing my pictures at home on glossy paper until I have enough to upload for developing - basically to make the order worthwhile.)

You can look at each picture in below that was used in my layout this week, followed by a little blurb for each.

January 8 - We live in a valley of rolling hills and a river not far from here.  Right to the East of our place, literally, behind the trees, is a hill that come winter time proves to be a barrel of fun for kids and adults alike.  Today there was a bit of a sledding party happening.  Alot of kids, many toboggans, and a good number of dad's with skidoos to pull these little tykes of the king of hills only to come flying down again screaming full of excitement.  Here is daddy and Hayley zipping by me going ready for another turn zipping down the hill.

January 9 - Every Sunday after Sunday school, you can pretty much count on either the kids going somewhere for a play date, or the kids having someone for a play date.  Today, the girls had one of their friends over to play barbies.  They drank hot chocolate, were budding little artists and there was alot of giggling going on. 

January 10 - It was so nice out today that the kids stayed out and played for hours!  I got so many pictures of them that I had a horribly tough time choosing what to use for today's POTD.  In the end, I chose Sydney and Libby, our golden retriever.  A man's best friend, no, a girl's best friend.  She loves that dog, as do we.

January 11 - After putting forth the effort required for kindergarten...lol, kidding aside, after 3 days off, it is hard to get back at it, especially when your brand new leapster explorer is sitting there calling your name.  Well, I did school with Ty and once he was done, he went straight to his room to play his explorer.  I love this shot focusing on his feet with he and his explorer totally out of focus.

January 12 - I started a blog way way back in 2006 and my last post in it was 2007.  Well lastnight and today I have revived it.  Here is the new and improved design...seems alot easier 4 years later.  Would be neat if I could actually keep up with posting to it.

January 13 - I had a tough time choosing what photo to use for today's POTD, and was going to settle on one of our two girls.  I just seemed to have so many pictures today.  In the end I chose this one of my husband's 'peppy' horse Scooter.  Jon loves peppy, I don't love peppy...!  He is a gorgeous horse though.

Then I faced a dilema.  What to do with all the other pictures.  I decided to make a collage of POTD worthy pictures and will develop an 8 X 10 and insert it into a 12 X 12 page protector that I will cut down to size {here is a great tutorial to show you how to do that}.

This is why I LOVE Project Life.  A year ago, I wouldn't have even thought to snap all of these moments.  But it is just like I have read over and over and believe to the depths of my heart, life isn't just the big things, it is all the little things in between.  That is what makes our story.

January 14 - This is the second print {you can get yours here} I have used that Becky Higgins has put on her site for public use.  It is such a nice touch to the decor.  I printed one for the girls bedroom and this one sits in the main living room.

That wraps up week 2!  I love this project.

Project Life January 1 - 7 Layout {Week 1}

January 1 - Yesterday we made a trip to the city and Target had all their Christmas stuff on 75% off!  Great deal!  We have never purchased lights for outside until yesterday.  Today, it is all sitting in my kitchen so I decided to drag out all the decorations to find a spot for our new purchases.  In the end, I opted to take everything down and pack Christmas away for another 10 months.  I am always sad to take it all down, seems so blah without the nice glow of the lights and such.

January 2 - December 27 is Tanner's actual birthday.  Ty and Tanner both have a birthday in December so in early December we had a combined family party.  Well unfortunately for Tanner, with December 27 falling so close to Christmas, we never had a proper cake for him on his actual day.  Today, January 2, we had cake!  I found the cutest little cake at Walmart for 50%, a mini Thomas The Train cake.  Well, it was cute, until daddy dropped it when he was bringing it in from the van.  None the less, it tasted great, and Tanner was all smiles!

January 3 - Well, today was a major cleaning day in my two girls bedroom.  Turned out to be a much larger project than I had anticipated.  Sydney, my oldest helped for a couple hours, and I spent another good hour putting the finishing touches.  We de-cluttered all of their clothes, washed bedding, pulled out everything that somehow makes it's way under furniture, organized all drawers and tidied the closet.  It looks so great now, how long will it last...?

January 4 - I had planned on starting school again today, but Sydney woke up at 5:30 a.m. with the stomach flu.  I opted to work with Hayley on her 4-H speech.  We put both girls in horse 4-H in the fall and public speaking is one of those items that they are required to take part in.  So, both have a two minute speech on January 18.  Hayley is going to speak on taste buds!  She is a bit shy in front of a group so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.  I am sure she will do fine!

January 5 - Today was our 'Back To School" day after our Christmas break!  It was not as tough as I thought it would be to get back at it, and the kids were excited, so that made the day easier!  I snapped Hayley working on her math, Sydney reading her bible and Ty doing some artwork.  I love my job!!!

January 6 - This year, I am getting organized!  I have been a fan of Chalene Johnson's for the past 5 years and starting January 1 she started a 30 Day Challenge on something that may seem pretty basic to some, a to do list!  You know what, try the challenge, it is very inspiring and very thought provoking.  An eye opener as to why things don't get done.  You dig pretty deep into yourself in the first seven days and after that, it gets easier.  I made this list of things I want to get done over winter (it is growing daily).  The great thing is I have already crossed quite a number of things off of this list.  It is all about prioritizing!

January 7 - Ahh, it is Friday.  We got three solid days of school under our belts.  Best of all though, is daddy is on days off for three whole days!  To celebrate, we took the kids into our small town rink {it is great - we are very lucky for such a small town (less than 200 people) to have this available to us every winter for a mere $40 for a family pass for the season}.  It was their second skate so far this winter and they did fantastic!  After 2 1/2 hrs of skating, they did not want to come off the ice, but we had plans when we got home.  Daddy started a fire in the wood burning fire place and we pulled out the marshmellows and had an indoors winter marshmellow roast.  The kids loved it!

I am using the kit that was for sale last year.  I got it for $30 on the Black Friday sale on Amazon.  I love it!  This is how I set up the cover page.

This is what week 1 looks like at a glance.  I have not developed any of my pictures yet (I have an order coming from Kodak of last year's pics and want to see the quality before I place another order).  I simply printed these on glossy cardstock with my Dell printer.  No, the quality isn't fantastic, but, at least I know what picture needs to go there when they come.  I will likely keep up my journaling more accurately if I keep printing these at home as well.



On January 4 and 5 we did some foot and hand painting.  Not to mention the measuring and weighing.  This was not my original idea, I seen it in another ladies project life album and thought it was such a great idea.  I just inserted them into 8 1/2 by 11 page protectors.

There you have week one, until next week, have a great day!