Simple as That

Making Everyday Beautiful

simple summer project: journal your summer

This post is part of my Simple Summer Projects series
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In January 2010, after having baby number four, I came to the realization that I was going have to switch gears with the way I had scrapbooked in the past. Like it or not, I just couldn’t find the time like I used to. I still wanted to record our family memories, but had a lot less time to do it & what resulted was a memory keeping approach that focused a little more on journaling & lot less on actual scrapbook pages. You can read more of my thoughts on the whole switch-a-roo here. 

This different approach to scrapbooking {I still like to call it that} involved four leather journals that I purchased for my kids. I figured, the photos would still be there after they were a little bit older and I had more time to make pages, but the memories…those I might forget. So I began to focus on writing things down whenever I could find 2-3 spare minutes throughout the day & throwing a few pieces of memorabilia in the journals here and there. I’ve loved this so much! Seriously! It’s been such a relief to let go of the expectations I had on myself and jot down our memories whenever I get a chance. I feel like I’m still doing something to record our family history and I know that these journals are going to be such a treasure years down the road.
This summer I’ve decided to get the kids involved with recording in their journals & they’re so excited about it! This is a unique summer for us…next year we’ll be back to regular life in the US or Canada, so I really wanted them to record their memories from their summer spent here on the island. Summer is such a magical time for kids and recording the memories they’re making, from their perspective and in their own words, is such a rewarding experience.
We’re going to keep this little summer journaling project as simple as we can. We’ve started out with a sentence or two a day, but if that becomes too much we’ll just make journal writing a weekly activity. You could even choose to wait and have your kids write in their journal at the end of summer to reminisce on all the fun they had before the beginning of the next school year. However you decide to encourage your child to journal this summer, here are a few
 summer journaling prompts to get you started:
 
Click here to download your free JOURNAL MY SUMMER list.
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This list of journaling prompts coordinates with my summer photo checklist. Together they are a great tool to get you started with photographing and recording your precious summer memories!  
Enjoy everyone!
I’m linking up with these fabulous blogs.

Rebecca

Rebecca

Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
Rebecca
Rebecca

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Comments

  3. Thank you for this idea. I have felt the same way since baby number four. I am on the lookout for some great journals.

    We are also doing a summer journal project. My kids are using disposable cameras to take their own pictures and document about them. I posted this idea on my blog. Thanks for sharing your prompts we may borrow a few.

    Reply

  6. great idea!! I never thought to get my kids involved but I should have. Thanks for the idea–connie, measuredbytheheart.com

    Reply

  14. I’ve loved those leather journals since you first blogged about them. Thanks for the free prompts. They’re so cute. Love the idea of getting the kids involved.

    Reply

  16. My kids have been making end of the summer mini scrapbooks for the past few years. It is a great way to look back at some of their favourite memories. Love the journaling idea as I know the feeling of not having the time to scrapbook.
    Lkids2.blogspot.com

    Reply

  22. Thanks for the idea, love these books. I also have my girls signed up at BPS for the Just Kidding Around class and they are having fun with it. The best part is seeing what they write about and how they feel about their days. Happy Summer

    Reply

  23. I love this! I am going to simplify my scrapbooking into a journal/memorablia too. I think that it is cooler to do the things in the moment, rather than after ward. I also like to draw pictures in my journals to display what went on.

    Reply

  26. This idea is brilliant! Very very cute. When I try to download it, it gives me an error saying, “the host is out of bandwidth.” Is there any way you could email it or something? If not I totally understand.
    jennsalittlehoff at gmail dot com
    Thanks!

    Reply

  29. Ok, I’m sorry for leaving a million comments. Really I am. But the more I look around online, the more I LOVE those labels! Do you have the files I could just buy from you? They’re perfect for a birthday calendar I’m making. Let me know- Thanks!

    Reply

  35. I found your blog after googling to find Summer journaling prompts for my kiddos. So happy to have found you! ^_^ Thank you so much for sharing your work for free, very generous. 🙂

    Reply

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