Blog Book

I started this blog about 2 weeks after Camden was born.  I didn't like the idea of a baby book or have the patience to do scrapbooking; however, I did want to capture aspects of her life.  I had some friends who babies and were blogging.  The plan was to turn each year into a book using an online company that does this.  After I stayed at it for over a year, I went to a recommended site and started the process.  It required a lot of editing - what picture was included, how big, what font, where it would go, etc.  I just couldn't get motivated to put the time and energy into it.  Despite that I kept actively blogging.  It was great for the extended family to see updates on our little family life.  I figured even if I didn't get a book made, she had an electronic file she could always peruse.

Aunt Carole recently went to her annual scrapbook retreat where she catches up on her books.  In talking about it, I decided I might look into Camden's book again.  I had a coupon for 25 % off one site and I began the process. I quickly learned that it was a fast tool and that it was a site that you can't really edit it much beyond some basic settings.  I did her first year and it went smoothly and I liked the preview.  I decided to do her second year too (coupon expired that day) and wait for the results before I did the rest.  The whole process for both books took less than an hour.  

I guess I blog a lot because they were over 400 pages each (2nd year was bigger).  It was not cheap, but really not expensive considering the end product. 

  
I got to select the cover design and the picture on the front.  I selected to do one of the first pictures from the year it was covering.  I will do each book from August of one year through July of the next.

I also got to write a dedication as well as decide to include or remove the table of contents.

I also selected to have each blog post start on a new page.  That left some pages with some blank space and some with one or two random pictures.  For the next books I might take the time to edit that by removing a picture or two so the post  is contained within a certain page.  But I also might not...it such a big book!

They company's format also decided which pictures were large and which remained small.  In general I really like how that turned out.

I also could select the photo on the back.  I am choosing to put a picture that represents the birthday/year that she turns in July of that month.  So the first book has a picture from her first birthday.

The second book is just as terrific.  The only different thing I discovered was that I could include a photo with the dedication page.

Camden loved them!  I can't wait to show them off.  Now I've got to create a shelf space that keeps them handy for people to access, but not too handy that Camden can get to them whenever she wants (like when she is eating and her hands are dirty).  I can't believe what a treasure these are!

F&F Breakfast

About once a week I let Camden get a pack of chocolate mini-donuts from the gas station on the corner as you leave Waveland.  It's not the healthiest breakfast (although a glass of milk is brought for a drink), but it gets her up and at em'.  She and the clerk has developed a fun little relationship and they are both always so happy to see each other.

I can see her the whole time she is in the store, so I let her run in with a dollar and take care of the entire process herself.  She especially likes it when I don't have a dollar and she has to get chance from a $5 or $10.

MLK Day and Uncle Ric's B-Day

Camden and I had the day off for MLK Day, so Kevin took it off as well.  We met up with Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric to celebrate his birthday.  After a yummy lunch at Outback and some shopping at Gander Mountain and Hobby Lobby, the three of us stopped for a strawberry limeade for the ride home and some goodies from Mammaw's Sweet Shoppe.

Camden had actually already had dessert, so she took a bite of her cookie just to make sure it was good, then saved the rest for later.

Young Performers

For the Spring semester, Camden has joined Vanity Theater's Young Performers group.  Our little community has a great theater and an almost better kids theater.  She is in the introductory group for K-6 graders.  I think it will really push her to learn music and choreography.  We missed the first practice night, but she caught on pretty quickly in her first session.

 

These kids are really talented.  The next level is the Rising Stars and they were selected to do the Circle of Lights at Christmas time.  They are very competitive.

They are singing "Food, Glorious Food" from Oliver and will then be learning "Getting to Know You" from the King and I.

Little too into the motions...we are gonna have to practice a bit at home.

Chinese Writing

One of the coolest stations at the China program was the letter writing. 

All About China

The New Market Elementary PTO hosted a family night at the school with the Indianapolis Children's Museum's traveling exhibit.  We selected the China theme.  Camden enjoyed exploring all the different hands-on activities.

Christmas Eve Gingerbread House

Camden has started a new tradition of doing a gingerbread house at GaGa's on Christmas Eve.  Usually I end up helping her, Hali, Preslee, and Hoyt put this together.  She picked a train this year.

Waiting his turn...

Everyone takes a few turns with the icing...

The decorating begins...

 

 

Paper Dragons