Gearing up for Project 365 2013

Besides early childhood education one of my other very favorite things (if not my favorite) is photography. I may have mentioned I am a member over at Clickinmoms and have been for a few years now. If you want to learn more about photography at any level this is without a doubt the place to be!!  Nearly everything I have learned about photography came from Clickinmoms.

Last year in 2011 I was inspired and encouraged to tackle project 365. A photo a day for one year. I knew it would be hard and difficult to finish. I also knew it would improve my photography and I would never regret having captured 365 little moments of my young family.

As I started documenting 2011 what I didn't know was that this was the year we would find out we were expecting our 3rd baby and our last full year as a family of four. I also didn't know that we would find out my mom had cancer that year. If I hadn't done my 365 there are so many moments I would have missed. Sure I would have had the camera out for big events like Christmas and Birthdays but I was able to capture tiny little moments with my mom and the girls and the everyday memories and details that otherwise may never have made it to our family albums.

So yes I became a better photographer and yes it was hard, even daunting at times but what my 365 really did for me was it served as a reminder that you simply never know what a year can bring.  I have a year of 365 moments that will forever be archived in a tangible collection of our family's year.

That said, I'm gearing up for the challenge again for 2013!  Have you ever considered doing project 365? Have I convinced you yet to try one for yourself? I highly encourage any level of photographers to take part.

I'm going to be documenting my project over at my family blog Scribbles From Tricia and would love to have some friends follow along. Please let me know if you decide to participate and let me know where I can follow you....blog? Flickr? Instagram?  I also hope to join a Flickr group with fellow 365 friends and I will share that info once it becomes available.  Let's support each other!

If you have any questions about the project, How to get started? How to keep the momentum? Where to share the pictures? etc. Please contact me. I'd be happy to answer them!

If you want to check out my complete 365 from 2011 you can find it here on Flickr:  Flickr Project 365

If you like what you see here please join me on Facebook: Imprints From Tricia on Facebook

Letters To My Daughters

Back in the fall I posted about writing letters to my daughters and creating a keepsake binder for those letters. You can find that post here Letters to my daughters.

I just wrote Jillian's 2nd Birthday letter and thought I'd revisit that post to share with some new readers that have joined me since then.

You can do it anyway that suits you but I have chosen to write the letters on their birthdays and at the beginning of each school year.

I placed them in a binder like this:



Jillian's 2nd Birthday letter

Dear Jillian,

You are no longer my little baby anymore and I'm not quite sure exactly when it happened, that transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. I do remember recently rocking you in your chair before bed and being amazed at how much you've grown. Now, your feet dangle off the chair when not so long ago I could cradle all of you in my arms. Very recently you've started to want to do things all by yourself. Yesterday I was trying to put your shoe on and you said "No mommy, I do myself." I don't quite remember the exact day or time but somewhere in this past year you went from uttering some words to having full blown conversations with me, daddy and Mallory. You are constantly asking questions "Mommy, what's that sound?", "Why did you turn that off?", "We have Mac and Cheese for dinner, mommy?". I remember looking at you as a little baby and wondering what you'd be like, what type of personality you would have, what would make you giggle. This past year going from a one year old to a two year old your little personality has exploded! You are outgoing, waving hi to anyone that passes you in the cart at Target. Your beautiful brown curly hair seems to suit your bubbly loud disposition. You giggle over tickled feet and silly songs. You adore Mallory and in typical little sister fashion you want to do and say what she does, yet you are independent and stand your ground when necessary. You are a little love bug, a snuggler and ever so affectionate. I love how you say "kisses mommy" and pucker your little round lips to kiss me. I love when I cuddle with you, your head rests on my shoulder and I feel your little tiny hands rhythmically patting my back. That little gesture is so you, that's my Jillian. I'm not exactly sure the day, week or month but somewhere in the everyday-ness of our lives this past year the baby I once had truly turned into my little girl. You make me a better person just by being you and I will forever know I am the lucky one to be your mommy.

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Jillian Faith.

Love,

Mommy

Another shout out to Pinterest, I got the idea from the picture below through Pinterest!!

Letters to my daughters

I love being a part of the blog world and feel so lucky that I live in an era where technology allows us to feel so connected to people who would otherwise be complete strangers.  The majority of the blogs I subscribe to are mom and photography blogs.  It's so wonderful to have so much inspiration and so many great ideas all within reach by the click of the mouse.

On my blog "to do" list is to share some of these amazing blogs I've some across these last couple of years.  Look for that coming soon.

In the meantime I wanted to share an idea I've come across on several blogs in my reader.  It's about writing letters to your children.  After being so inspired I've started to do this on my family blog and did one for the girls baby books.  So I decided to put together a book as a keepsake for all the letters I write to them.  I thought about doing a Shutterfly type book but I wanted to be able to add letters as I go along so I thought to keep it simple I would just get a binder. 

I bought a $3 binder and made the cover in a word document.  I made one for Mallory and Jillian.

Every time I write a letter I simply place it in a page protector.  By the time they leave for college each girl will have a book full of letters written to them by their mom. 

   

I plan to write them on their birthdays and at the beginning of each school year but you can do it anytime or anyway that suits you!  Knock your socks off!  It's never too late to start either! 

Here's the letter I wrote Mallory on her first day of preschool. 

Dear Mallory,

Last night before bed I talked to you about what a big day today was going to be for you, your very first day of preschool.  Mommy gets a little sad when I think about how my little sweet baby is growing up and is going to have her first experiences without me or daddy. Although I'm sad I am also so very happy for you because I know you are ready for this!  I know you will thrive in this environment- learning and making new friends all on your own!!  You are growing up so fast that a part of me just wants to hold on so tight to all your 3 year old goodness, the bright eyes, curiosity and wonder that make up who you are today.  I adore your sweet little voice that often articulates well beyond your years, the daily questions you ask "What are we doing today mommy?", "Is it morning still? "What are we having for dinner?", "Why did you make that sound mommy, are you frustrated?", "Does daddy have to work today?".  I love how I can hear you singing in your room all your favorite songs at nap time and bedtime. You adore music and couldn't be happier singing and dancing to songs from Barney, Annie and Mary Poppins. I love the way you always ask to help me: "Can I help you with the dishes?", Can I help you with the laundry?".  So eager to help and so proud of your accomplishments!  You have the most delicious laugh I have ever heard, it's a belly giggle that warms my heart every time I hear it!  You are becoming so independent wanting to do everything yourself, helping Jillian do things too and I've said it before but you and Jillian were meant to be sisters- she reserves a special laugh that's only for you- the two of you love to roll around on your bed together just laughing, laughing, laughing...  I have no doubt that you will be the best of friends!! 
I remember when I was a little girl and I would dream about being a mommy, that little girl I always wanted is you Mallory, my first born.  I feels so blessed that I could be a part of your days of dress-up, story books, singing, hugs and kisses, creating, and laughing.  I have big dreams for you but also know you will have dreams of your own, I am in awe at the little girl that you are and can't wait to see the person you become. Sending you off to preschool is the first tiny step in letting go...I am so grateful to be part of this journey with you! 

Love,

Mommy