I’ve started working on the Munchkin’s birthday present. I’m aware that her birthday is in December. And it’s only February. But when you have two parented kids with birthdays in November and all that holiday hoopla well, it’s kind of easy to get to the second week in December and go, “CRAP! I didn’t get that big project done!”
Not this year.
It’s a big one. Five and all. So I’m doing something special.
I’m making a photo book (ala Shutterfly) featuring pictures of us together from the past five years. I’m going all out and doing the big 12×12 book. More room for pictures and all around loving goodness. I haven’t yet thought of a catchy title. Other than maybe… Five Years in The Chronicles of Munchkin Land. Or something equally lame. And I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to simply caption photos…
of if I want to make a poem and/or story that makes its way through the book and photos that basically encapsulates our relationship together. I really think I’d like to do that… but it seems somewhat daunting. Of course, that’s the reason that I’ve never settled on any singular topic for a book-book either. It’s big and scary. I’m not quite sure how I could appropriately describe our relationship. Being age appropriate is vastly important. I wouldn’t want it to be too corny (ala, “once upon a time”) or too melodramatic (ala, “it was a dark and stormy night”) or too light (ala, “I’m nothing more than an extra person in your life”). Balance would be important.
I’m writing out loud, in case you didn’t gather, and right now? Captioning pictures seems easier. But less … real … somehow.
Anyway, I’m merely talking about it out loud, putting it here, so that I can remind myself to keep on top of this project. Hold me accountable folks. I’ll have to do a lot of scanning physical printed pictures from our first year and a lot of digital gathering up of the past three years. And make sure to take a lot of pictures from this year. But I can do this.
She’ll probably toss it off to the side in lieu of something cool like a toy. But someday I think it will mean something. No?
7 Responses to “It’s a Bit Early But I’m Kind of Busy”
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My name is Jenna. I blog here, 
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I think it will be AWESOME!
We made a book like that for Pennie last year. I borrowed my friend’s heavy-duty camera (like the one you have!) and wandered around the yard taking pictures of her for an afternoon. Then I had Noah interview her for the book. It turned out pretty darling because she said lots of funny things and made lots of adorable faces.
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Your munchkin will treasure it, I’m sure.
Maybe what you could do for the word part is not feel like you have to tell it like a story so much. If there is a story or poem that goes with the photo, put it in. Otherwise, just put a caption with the date the photo was taken. Sometimes, the caption tells the whole story.
My daughter turns five this year. I really should get my act together and compile a DVD (the kicker will be the three and a half years of home movies I still haven’t edited). You’re inspiring me! I’m hoping that our whole family (including her birth family) will enjoy it. Luckily, you have more time than me!!!! YIKES!
Good luck…try not to make the project too huge, or you’ll never finish! Small bites. Take small bites.
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Oh, Jenna, I think it’s a really beautiful idea! And as for the captions or poems and stories, I would bet that as it comes together, the right choice (or blend thereof) will come to light.
I’m happy to help hold you accountable, because it’s such a lovely notion.
And I know you know this, but I’ll say it anyway. How she reacts when she opens it or the next gift that is a bright and shiny toy thing doesn’t matter. Guarantee you, years from now, she won’t have a clue what toy or sweater or fun new thing she got on her fifth birthday.
But that book, yeah, she’ll always know that.
I look forward to hearing about the progress in the next 10 months.
(Oh — light bulb moment — should you make a duplicate? I know, I know, it’s double the cost, but it wouldn’t be double the work … and then you’d have the final collection as your own for the years to come.
And kind of special for Munchkin to know that you and she share the same book. I know you already own the pics, but we all know how they’re never all in one place for ourselves, ya know? Just a thought.)
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I did something similar for Bean’s first year/into toddler days on Heritage Makers and sent a copy to all the Grandparents plus one for K and her family, and one for us. Everyone raved about them, and even Bean enjoys looking over “his book”. I did a special page just for Bean and K together titled “I love my sister”. It is my very favorite, and I am so happy that I did it.
One suggestion I have is to not be too concerned about creating the “perfect” story. When I tried to do that, it became very overwhelming and I nearly gave up the whole idea! I finally did mine scrapbook style, some pages had quotes, some had a little journaling, some just captions. It turned out very well. I think. :)
Whatever route you take, I know Munchkin will treasure it. Through the years, it will have different, and very special meanings for her. Make sure you keep one for yourself, too.
Hugs.
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wonderful idea! couple of thoughts to add:
as you look through pictures, you could talk into a digital tape recorder, recalling memories the pictures evoke. then you’d have the fodder for a story or caption handy, but you wouldn’t have to get specific right away.
if the idea of writing a story is too daunting right now, you could give every photo a caption, and then go back and elaborate.
if writing captions seems to be overwhelming, you could just identify who, when, where, etc.
later, when you have all the pictures selected and identified, you might ‘see’ the story you want to tell.
you could also group by topic, if the pictures lend themselves to that.
what about adding pictures of yourself at the same age? Memories of your favorite book or toy at the various ages?
I agree with the other suggestions to do a combination of story, poetry, captions–whatever fits a particular picture.
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I love photobooks and think it is a great idea. I think you should write a little story or something age appropriate that will share your feelings a little bit.
She will definitely treasure it, and I second the idea of getting a copy for yourself.
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I made a photobook lifebook for my daughter when she first learned who I was. I’ve thought of doing an updated one to document our growing relationship.
She loved the first book I made and read it every night for the first few months after I gave it to her. I bet the munchkin will love hers, too. Kids love books about them.
I’m so impressed that you’re starting early. My daughter turned five this year, but I couldn’t muster up the emotional capacity to do something special to mark that milestone.
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