A Meaningful Christmas Gift Idea

A couple years ago, my sisters and I decided to start giving each other photo books as holiday gifts and forgo the usual gift-giving madness. We all live in different states, so we miss out on so much of the day-to-day stuff that keeps us connected. The photo books are wonderful because they help to fill in those gaps - and they're a great way to present the zillions of photographs that I take throughout the year (way too many to print and frame). The books are inexpensive and personal, and they fit right into my new minimalism philosophy - that is, I don't want any more stuff to clutter my house. I'd rather have something meaningful and small that connects me with my family.

Another great thing about these photo books is that they give you some perspective on your year. As you sort through your photographs, you realize how much fun you've had, how much you've accomplished and how things have changed. You remember lazy summer afternoons and autumn hikes, birthday parties and snow days - the small but significant moments that make up big stretches of time.

I'm hard at work on this year's photo book through shutterfly.com. Here are links to our books from the past two years. If you have lots of photos and some free time, give these a try. You (and your family) will be hooked!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to view this photo book larger

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Everyday Poetry

I work with small children, which offers many little moments of beauty. Here are some I've noticed lately.

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Backyard Bench Press

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Another Batman Fan

Our 6-year-old dressed as Batman for two Halloweens in a row, and he used to wear his costume everywhere. Here he is on vacation at Dauphin Island.

I loved that stage of his life, and I finally had a photographer friend take some photos of him (below) in his threadbare costume (he added the John Deere boots).

Looks like we have another, more muscular fan in the house.

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Happy Fall

Fall brings its own set of wonders - playing in the leaves, carving jack-o-lanterns, sitting outside by the fire pit, trick-or-treating, baking and hiking - and we're trying to embrace them all.

Last night I took a nighttime walk with Sawyer - just the two of us - and was reminded how much joy such simple pleasures can bring. We looked at our long shadows, the stars, Halloween decorations and blinking airplane lights overhead. He threw some big sticks, played with a neighbor's dog and watched cars' headlights as they sped by us in the dark. After a busy, noisy day, it was a nice way to end the night.

Unplugged and connected.

Happy fall. :)

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Sweet Moment

At a birthday party last weekend, I was drawn to the beauty of a friend and her 11-week-old daughter. I couldn't help taking a few photos. There's something so sweet about this time of life. I guess I'm a little nostalgic because my boys are getting so big ...

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New Adventures

Wow. I can't believe my last post was about the pool! Now it's October, and so much more has changed than the season. I started a new adventure in August when I took a job as a preschool teacher. My youngest son is there with me, and I love that he is just down the hall. I also love the schedule (summers off!!) and the active, hands-on, in-the-moment nature of the job. When I'm home, I am really home and focusing on my family - not on e-mails or phone calls or work that needs to be done when the kids go to bed. It's exactly what I need at this point in my life, and I'm happily rolling with it. More about that later. ... I just wanted to check in and say I haven't abandoned my blog. I'm just figuring out when and how I can fit it in.
Thanks for stopping by. Good night.

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