Tracking a Work in Progress

March 22nd

March 29th

April 18th

My husband has been building a clubhouse in our yard. It's something my daughter has always wanted, and he was hoping that this was a project that they could do together. She was out there with him when it was still cold enough to wear a coat. She handed him nails and tools, and kept him company. As he hammered, she was nearby building things out of the wood scraps that he leaves behind. Of course, there have been many days where she has run off with her friend and neighbor, leaving a lonely daddy behind to build alone. But this project is taking quite some time after all, and as a 6 year old, there isn't that much she can do to help. The neat thing to see, is that the building process has been fun for both her and for my husband. They don't talk about wanting this to be over and done with. Instead, it's almost like this is part of the "playing". She donned old clothes to help him paint yesterday, and I couldn't help but take a few pictures. Her hideout is still a little ways from completion, but that's OK. As Miley Syrus aka Hannah Montana would say, "It ain't about how fast I get there; ain't about what's waiting on the other side.... it's (about) the climb."

Scrap Happy!

the "I" in team

It's that time of the year again! Time to dust off the ole' bat and glove and focus on springtime sports. Last year was my daughter's first experience playing a sport that wasn't feminine in any way. But she is still very much a girl, and I wanted these page layouts to reflect that. I used soft pinks and lilacs and baseball stickers to do these pages. I also captured my daughter as she is, wearing her pink butterfly shirt to practice, swinging her pink bat and holding her pink baseball mitt, and taking her T ball pictures in front of the tulips that were in bloom.

It can be hard to get pictures during the game. I've noticed this with soccer and dance as well. The kids just seem so far away from you when they are on the field (or on stage). I've found it easier to get closer during practices, when the coaches probably won't mind as much. It's OK to ask for permission, and the coaches will probably appreciate that and try to make it easier for you to get a good shot if you ask. They will let you know the best time to take the picture, so that it won't interfere with practice.

While we are talking about coaches, I'd like to give you my little tip for making coaches feel special. I like to give my favorite coaches a little thank you gift at the end of the season. You can give a framed photo, or if you're willing to spend a little more, get something made with a picture of your child and the coach or the whole team. We gave my daughter's soccer coach a mug with the team picture on it last year. We were even able to personalize it to say thanks to the coach.

Right now, my daughter is just about to start Teeball for the spring season. She is also getting ready for her dance recital which will be at the beginning of next month. Soccer started 2 weeks ago. Whew! I have plenty of opportunities to take pictures; let's just hope I get time to scrap them!

Scrap Happy!

For more Easter page and picture ideas, simply click on my past blogs. I have several past blogs on Easter. Remember, Easter isn't really about eggs and bunnies. It's about a God who loved you so much that he gave his own child to save your life. Happy Easter!