I LOVE PROJECT LIFE!  (Sorry, just had to shout it out!)  If you love pictures and/or scrap booking and have not heard of Project Life, STOP right now:)

Project Life was developed by Becky Higgins after she left Creating Keepsakes magazine to say at home with her children.  As her family grew, Becky quickly realized that there was not enough time in her day to keep up with her photos and traditional scrap booking.  Becky soon developed Project Life with the support of her husband, David.

Project Life is a photo system that allows you to  keep up with your family pictures without all the hoopla!  You can read all about it at Becky's Website. She also has a blog linked to her website with lots of inspiration.

The BEST news is, Project Life is featured on HSN today at a fabulous price.  I have been using Project Life for 4 years and adore it.  My kids love it because if it wasn't for Project Life, my pictures would still be on my computer. 


     


There are 2 versions of Project Life and a few different ones over at Becky's Website.  It is the BEST thing I have done.  My class even uses her personal yearbook version of this that she offers for FREE on her website. 



All that you need to do is slip in title cards, photos and journal a bit.  THAT'S IT!! I would love to hear what you do with your pictures at home and in the classroom:)

Thank would be CRAZY!  I am linking up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten for the Fitness Resolution and Step into Second Grade with Mrs. Lemons for downtime resolutions!



So, I need to be a little creative and multitask:)  My oldest son, Justin, takes tae kwon do at our local YMCA 3 times a week.  What do I do then you ask?  Watch him, grade papers, and play on my iphone (of course) all while paying for a family membership!

So, my 2013 New Year's Resolution for Fitness is to GO workout while Justin is in class since that was the intent 2 years ago when we joined!!  That will be 3 days a week minimum in the gym. 

Which brings me to my New Year's Resolution for Downtime.  I want to take more pictures in the classroom and at home with the boys.  We wait to photograph the best projects, lessons, parties ... instead of appreciating the little things.  I want live in the moment and appreciate all moments- the big and the small.

BUT, I can't just leave them on my camera or computer.  I miss scrapbooking but don't have tons of downtime so I started using Project Life 5 years ago, but in 2012 only got to April. My kids have even said they miss seeing the pictures of things we have done (since the pictures are still on the computer).

What is Project Life?  Project Life is guiltless form of storing/displaying pictures and recording a memory or two about the pictures.  You can visit Becky Higgins' website to find out more.  There are links at the top to explore her blog, her products, freebies and recipes.  P.S.-Her Taco Soup recipe is to die for!!

I would love to hear what you think about this.  I will be sharing more in the months to come:)

Finally, I have posted a new product on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I have grouped together 4 activities for practicing spelling patterns while decoding words in fun games.  It is called Reading and Spelling Patterns (er/ir/ur, -le, long o and digraph qu, wh).  I know they are in a  random order, but they come in that order in our Harcourt Reading Series.  I am thinking I might list them separately too.  Thoughts?



I am giving away a copy to the first 3 people who leave a comment with an email address!
Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy and blessed 2013!