Summer in progress

As we drove past the kids school this morning, we talked about how there’s only 2 weeks left until they’re “back to school” and summer is over. 2 weeks!! And it feels like we’ve hardly done anything on our list. It’s true…there’s a lot that hasn’t been checked off yet. BUT there’s still been a whole lot of living. I’m really enjoying the process of documenting our everyday summer stories in this little 6×8 album, and I thought I’d share a little update on the progress I’ve made so far. (Title Page supplies: Ali Edwards’ July Digital Kit, Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit)

We went to see fireworks this year in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. It’s the first time we’ve taken the kids to a firework event and we all had a great time! It was awesome to share this experience with them, because it was actually the same place that I spent every July 1st as a kid with my family to see the fireworks. On the shuttle bus ride back to the car, they were already asking if we could come back again next year. Pretty sure this will be an annual tradition now 🙂

(supplies: Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook kit, Studio Calico Silver Lake Lodge Main Printable Journal Cards)

I shared this page in my last post, but this is what it looks like in my album. I’m using Ali Edwards 6×8 Story Book in Greige. I should also mention that I purchased the June and July Scrapbook Kits from Gossamer Blue and I’m in LOOOVE!! The kit contents are currently being designed by Geralyn Sy (In a Creative Bubble) and I’m such a fan of her designs!! I added a rubber banner from the July scrapbook kit on my strawberry photo and love that the blue just happened to coordinate with the pics on the left hand side of this spread.

(Supplies: Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit, Ali Edwards July Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Fun Story Kit)

This is another page I shared last month. I wound up adding a little sticker to the “Super Love This” card just for a little something more.

(Supplies: Ali Edwards July Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Bond Story Kit, Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit)

We discovered the face filters on Instagram this summer! Super fun 🙂

(Supplies: Ali Edwards Fun Story Kit, Studio Calico Silver Lake Lodge Documenter Kit)

I made a little change to this spread because that tag from the Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit was just PERFECT!! And I’m trying really hard to use the stuff I love instead of hoarding it 😉

(Supplies: Ali Edwards July Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Fun Story Kit, Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit)

The thing I’m loving about this album is the collection of little stories about big moments, like spending time with my work family. These ladies truly are like a second family to me. They’ve been there from the beginning of my nursing career. They’ve watched me get married, they’ve watched me become a mom, and on this particular evening, we celebrated a very dear friend’s retirement.

(Supplies: Ali Edwards Fun Digital Story Kit)

I pulled this page out of my album for a closer look because that photo on the top right makes me laugh every time. Real life right now 🙂  We were so lucky this summer to be able to have Liam and Emily in the same summer camp group (they go three days a week while I’m at work). And they were pretty darn excited about getting to spend the days together too (they might not be quite as excited now that we’re 7 weeks into summer….but it definitely helped them feel more comfortable in their new environment, knowing they had each other there.

(Supplies: Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit, Gossamer Blue June Life Pages Kit)

Observations (and little stories) about life right now, like 1) the “fidget spinner” sidewalk when we go to soccer every week, 2) her excitement to make her own sandwiches and help pack her lunch (for the record….that enthusiasm has now faded), 3) watching her soccer game from the bleachers, 4) Peanut Butter squares…no longer just a Christmas treat, 5) “Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flowers?” and 6) poop emojis = text messages from the kids. It’s all about the little things!

(Supplies: Studio Calico Silver Lake Lodge Main Printable Journal Cards, Gossamer Blue June Scrapbook Kit, Star transparency (an oldie from my stash…I think it’s from Studio Calico).

One of the things that’s different about this summer is that when I bring a book with me to the park, I actually get to read it! The kids are becoming more independent and are comfortable to play on their own now, which is both awesome and a sure sign that they’re growing up. (The Undoing Project was a great read!! Loved Michael Lewis’ writing style. It’s a real life story about the development of decision making theory and the men who created it. My description doesn’t even scratch the surface, but if you’re a fan of non-fiction, this is one I would definitely recommend.)

(Supplies: Gossamer Blue June Scrapbook Kit, Studio Calico Let’s Go Main Printable Journal Cards, Studio Calico Summer Camp Add On, Ali Edwards Lost and Found Digital Story Kit)

Signs of a good day: crafting, a visit to the farm, playing and slurpees. I have always liked mixing sizes in my albums. I recoloured and resized a digital card from Ali Edwards’ July Digital Kit to  tell the story of this day. Also, from here forward you’re likely going to see a lot of chipboard pieces added to my pages. I ordered the Chipboard Set from Ali Edwards’ summer release and I can’t help myself! Love it!

(Supplies: Ali Edwards July Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

Working his way through a summer work book = love this!

(Supplies: Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

Documenting this story about her first year of soccer. She loves going! Loves participating in the practice! But when it’s game time, she refuses to play. On this particular Saturday, after arguing with her to at least try, I stood back and watched the scene in front of me. If you’ve ever watched little kid soccer, you have probably witnessed some seriously awesome moments…like the little girl who’s focusing hard on kicking that ball down the field with her tongue sticking out and a little stuffed kitty tucked safely under her arm, or the mob of kids that buzz around chasing the ball off their own field and right into the middle of the game the next field over, or the little boy who uses his “super powers” to stop the approaching players, bending down on one knee and zapping the other players with the imaginary lasers shooting from his outstretched arms. This was the Saturday that I finally realized, I think she doesn’t want to play the game because she’d miss out on the show 😉

(Supplies: Ali Edwards August Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

Real life isn’t always fun. Don’t let these smiling little faces fool you…this day was a rough one! I went into it thinking “hey, it’ll be so fun if we get the kids one of those ride on animals to keep them entertained at the mall”…and left with a hoarse voice, more grey hairs, and reality checking my expectations. The “everything will be okay” card was pretty much perfection for this spread 😉

(Supplies: Ali Edwards August Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

The very next day, we tagged along to watch my parents go ziplining down Niagara Falls. The falls is only 45 minutes away from home, but we don’t go very often. I’m always surprised by how beautiful it is up close and find myself wondering why we don’t go more often.

(Supplies: Ali Edwards August Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Fun Digital Story Kit, Ali Edwards Lost and Found Digital Story Kit, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

We managed to end up with a few weeks of fevers and stomach bugs this summer, but even on those days there are still stories to tell. I passed along my folder of extra and misprinted photos to Liam and Emily so they could work on their own projects and Emily totally ran with it. She said “hey! I’m pretty good at this!” and used several packs of enamel dots on one page 🙂 That’s my girl!

(Supplies: Ali Edwards August Digital Kit, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack, Studio Calico transparency from my stash)

These guys are not bothered in the least about having so many things not checked off our summer list. Quite honestly, we’re all homebodies and are happy to spend our days off just hanging out together. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to watch as they come up with new ways to entertain themselves, whether it’s putting on a “magic show”, watching the construction take place out front, or taking on the role of sleeping beauty and stretching out in the living room window. “Ordinary day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.” Always.

(Supplies: Ali Edwards Day in the Life Summer Journal Card Set, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack, Studio Calico Bluegrass Farm Scrapbook Kit)

This page is still in progress. The left side tells the story of their summer camp trip to African Lion Safari and the right side is one of my favourite pictures from the night we made a fort and camped out in my room together.  I’ve got more photos to add and a story to tell about that experience 🙂

(Supplies:  Studio Calico Let’s Go Main Printable Journal Cards, Studio Calico Summer Camp Add On, In a Creative Bubble Storyteller Journaling Cards, Ali Edwards Summer Chipboard Shape Variety Pack)

And I’m going to finish off today’s post with one last “in progress” page. Because this photo is what I’ll think of when I think about summer 2017 🙂

(Supplies: In A Creative Bubble Summertime Journaling Cards, Gossamer Blue July Scrapbook Kit)

I’ve really enjoyed working on these pages so far! I’m about 2/3rds of the way through our July stories and filling my album up with whichever ones I most want to tell as I scroll through my photo library.  I’ll be sure to post an update as I dig into August. Thanks for stopping by today!