School started (mercifully) for all of the kids at the end of August. I was really happy to see them go back...not because I don't like having them home, I do. I really do. And this past summer was the best we've had so far. But because my kids really need a schedule, structure, etc.
This year's back-to-school event was a little bittersweet though. This year Tyler, my baby, the 3rd and last, headed to Kindergarten. So, while I love having every. single. afternoon (jealous?) to myself, I do miss having a child around (sorta).
With my extra time I've found that I can actually finish things around the house...and that includes my scrapbooking! Woo hoo! I have time to print out photos and work with them! Amazing, I know!!!
So, after Ty headed off to school for his first day, I sat down at my computer, edited some photos of him that I took before he got on the bus, printed them out and made a little mini-book.
I grabbed one of Heidi Swapp's chipboard Mini Memory Files and cut it down just a bit...
Then I folded over the "epic" Photo Caption (thanks so much for the inspiration, Heidi!) and added a Disco Star to the "i"...I love the way this looks...
I had some chipboard stars, too, that I added throughout...
Inside the album I attached the photos I printed out to pieces of Heidi's No Limits paper and sewed them into the middle of the Memory File...
The print-out on the inside-front-cover is a mini version of signs I print out every year for the kids to hold for photos on their first days of school (you can find them here)...
Heidi's banners (my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE product) and Triumph Sticks add a little texture and dimension...
Tyler was being his usual monkey-self that day, and he refused to have his picture taken...(hence the giant tree trunk taking up the entire photo).
I used Heidi's stamps and Definition Stickers here...
I also included the sticker he was given to wear on his first day...
His first-day-nametag and a No Limits Pennant help round out this last page...
Oh, and when I finally did get a smile, it was completely cheesy...(he's a ham...and he's stubborn as all get-out).
Heidi's File Tab stickers and Color Labels fit perfectly with the Memory Files...there's not tons of thinking involved...it all just works...
I love all of this new time I have...and I love being able to get back to documenting family life...
Are your kids back yet? Are you happy? Are you sad? Are you counting down the days to next summer?
