How Do You Capture the Memories? Moms Talk
Share your ideas for scrapbooks, photo displays, online storage and more!
As far as home movies go, this beats the family waving at the entrance to Disney World.
Frans Hofmeester shot video of his daughter Lotte every week from when she was born. Recently, he edited all that video into a home movie that shows her growing up before your eyes. From drooling baby to the threshold of adolesence, he distilled her 12 years into two minutes and 45 seconds.
Lots of parents may get misty-eyed as they remember all the changes they've seen in their own children.
Today, lets talk photographs and memories. How have you chronicled your childrens' growing-up?
Some may use colorful, creative scrapbooks. Others may shoot home movies. Some journal. Many may be trying to figure out how to organize all the photos, both digital and print.
Have you organized your childhood and old family photos? A friend of mine recently brought in her parents' dozens of slide trays to a photo shop in my hometown to have them all scanned and put on discs for the whole family.
Do you have annual tradition photos, like all wearing matching holiday clothes in front of the Christmas tree?
Share ideas and inspiration, either in the comments or by uploading photos of your own photo/memory projects. Advice from scrapbookers is always welcome!
Joining us, as always, is our awesome Moms Council.
Julie A. Short is a freelance reporter who has worked with Patch and is also a communications professional. She is a first-time mom of a son born in 2010.
Monina Wagner works in public relations. She has a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations. Monina has also started blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you can also become an Avon Patch blogger.
Stephanie Predovich is a mom of four children ages 6 and under with her husband, Bill. Their fourth child, Colette, arrived Jan. 10. Stephanie also works part-time.
Christine Papesch is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.
Michele Welshhans is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.
Heather Mahoney is a member of the Avon Board of Education and past president of Avon Early Childhood PTA.
Julie A. Short
2:02 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I take pictures, videos, etc, but one way I hope to really capture my son growing up and make it personal is by handwriting (NO COMPUTER! I want him to always remember me) writing him a letter every year on (or around his birthday) and including what he did the past year, my hopes and dreams for him every year. A lesson or piece of advice for him also will be included.
I plan to save all the letters and then when he turns 18 (or 21 can't decide yet), I will give him all the letters. I have saved many letters and cards from my parents and grandparents. Nothing can replace that personal touch and someone's own handwriting whether it's a card or a personal note. We shouldn't use computers or pre-made cards for everything.
Stephanie Predovich
4:52 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
We do pictures mostly. We bought the new camcorder when our oldest was born(7years ago today!) and used it a ton for a few years. Then not so much. We have since upgraded cameras and have used the video on our newest but not as much. We did records he kids during Jedi Training at Disney World a few weeks ago! And will again tomorrow at our sons choir concert.
But pictures is the main way to preserve memories. We have several memory books too. I also write a letter to each child before they are born that is in their baby books.
We have framed pictures all over of the kids and vacations! I also have each kids 1st birthday smash cakes framed and hanging with our framed wedding cake. It's a crazy family tradition! I update each child's large frames each year with the newest picture and keep the previous years inside the frame. We love looking back at each year when we update them! I also have a large frame with the kids altogether that is updated each year also. This is a priceless memory!
Julie A. Short
7:14 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Stephanie, I love the idea of the cake photos with your wedding photo!