[love these!]

These gorgeous family trees can be ordered from Evajuliet Atelier. Great gift idea for parents, grandparents...
Website: Evajuliet Atelier

[gotta love a new daytimer]

Don't faint! Two blog posts in a row. Wowsa!

Just thought I'd share my 2014 daytimer with you. 

My husband is trying to help me see the light and to get me to use my new tablet for everything. But there's something about an actual daytimer that I just love. So for now, I'm doing double duty and keeping this calendar plus an online one which my husband and I use together to keep track of each other's life.

I loved my last year's modern daytimer but I couldn't find a similar one so this is what I ended up with. I've been buying Listography books for my friends as gifts and finally figured I might as well have my own, even if it's just a daytimer version. I write down what I do each day so it ends up being a bit of a journal for me too. Trust me, otherwise I'd forget what I did the day before. The weekly lists are an added bonus and will bring some fun into my every day life this year.

[free fun: journal pages]

I found something super fun today and of course I have to share.

I stumbled across a website called “grace is overrated” by Christie Zimmer. She has awesome, printable journal pages you can quickly fill in and then put them in a binder for memory keeping. I’m already addicted. J

Happy Monday indeed! J

Free Printable Journal Pages

{2012 free printable}

Made some 2012 printables.

I recommend to print them on light beige linen texture scrapbooking paper (see my other free printables to see how they will look).

Happy Friday everyone! :)

{smack in the middle!}

yesterday i enjoyed going through my husband's childhood pictures and school report cards etc. i'm trying to get going with family & personal history projects. it really is fun work but sometimes it's a challenge to find the time to do it.

i realized that i need to write in my journal more often (more than a few times per year). i bet sienna would love to read one day about my thoughts when she started kindergarten, for example. we need to capture the moments of our lives. trust me, if you don't record them somehow, there's a good chance you won't remember most of it.

so just a little reminder for us all to make sure we record our family's history in some form or shape.

i scanned some pictures of his mom & dad too. isn't this picture from 1974 the best? they were going to a 50's style party.

the funniest thing i came across was an essay that my husband wrote when he was young (i don't know exactly how old, maybe about the age he is in the above picture?). the essay was about his parents and here's the part that made me laugh so hard:

"My dad works at (school name) as a teacher. He says if he doesn't get out of it he'll end up smack in the middle of a mental institution."

!!!!!!

can you imagine his teacher reading this?

too funny! :D

happy monday everyone!

{personal history binder}

Becky Higgins (www.beckyhiggins.com) has done a personal history pdf file which is available at her blog. You just print it out, fill in the blanks, add pictures and then put it all in a small binder. You can decorate the cover and add any other decorations you want. This would make a great gift to your parents, grandparents or any special person in your life.

(The pdf file link can be found in her July 20, 2009 posting)

{another version of the personal history questions}

judd house in australia

via www.dwell.com

***

This is the version I was looking for so I'll put this one in here as well. My blog = my filing system. :)

***

Ingredients
Life was not meant to be bottled up forever. This jar is jam-packed with 160 delicious and interesting questions to inspire you to celebrate something very important...YOU!
Recipe
Combine a generous slice of your life history with a dash of nostalgia and several cups of facts and feelings. Fold in several sheets of photographs.
If you will follow this simple recipe, you will find that by this time next year, you will have one very delicious, personal history finished. All you need to do is draw out one slip of paper daily or weekly...On it you will find a question. Spend a few minutes or just enjoy remembering. Then mount the question at the top of a blank page and begin to write and mount photos or other memorabilia and answer the question. Don't worry about the spelling, handwriting, etc. Just tell YOUR story! This product was prepared to preserve your life as a message. Enjoy the scrumptious, homemade memories.

***
· What lessons did you take as a child? Did any carry over into adulthood?
· Describe your first job.
· What is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you?
· What was the worst thing that ever happened to you?
· Did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents? Tell about it.
· What were your father's best traits? His worst? What traits do you share?
· Describe your Sundays as a child.
· Tell about your favorite Aunt or Uncle
· What is your advice for good health?
· How many brothers and sisters do you have? Tell about each of them.
· Tell about a practical joke that was played on you or that you played on someone else.
· What did you do when you were a child that got you in the most trouble and how did your parents handle it?
· What are some of the superstitions that you remember growing up with?
· Describe your parent's courtship and wedding as best you can.
· What is the most important lesson, message, or advice that you have learned that you might pass on to others?
· What convinced you most in your choice of a spouse?
· Tell something about each of your children, their personalities, their talents, and the traits that make them each special and unique.
· Write a want ad that describes your spouse.
· Tell about a frustrating experience you have had with a car.
· Did it snow where you lived as a child? What kinds of things did you do when it snowed?
· Describe a typical day during your high school years.
· What are your favorite colors, flowers, food, activities and hobbies?
· Tell about a special date you had with a girl/boyfriend.
· What things do you enjoy today that you enjoyed doing as a child?Describe them then and now.
· How did you like being the oldest, youngest or middle child? What were the advantages and disadvantages?
· Do you have a favorite author - who? why?
· Describe a trip downtown as a youngster.
· Tell about your favorite books as a child, youth, adult.
· What kinds of chores were you responsible for while you were growing up? Tell about them.
· What board games or card games did you play while growing up? Who did you play with?
· Did you ever go bowling? Tell about it.
· What were swimming suits like when you were young?
· Tell about an experience with one of your children's teachers.
· Were you ever lost as a child? Tell about it.
· Did you ever break a bone or have stitches? Tell about it.
· What were you afraid of as a child? Why? Did this fear follow you into adulthood?
· Tell about a time in your life when you were surprised. Tell about a time that you surprised someone.
· Tell about sibling rivalry within your family.
· Describe your room as a child. Did you have your own room or have to share it with a sibling? Tell some experiences.
· Do you remember your family getting a new piece of furniture, a new car or something similar when you were a child?
· Tell about what you did while visiting your grandparents or aunt and uncle.
· Did you ever roller skate, ice skate, ski, or something similar?
· Did you share any special interest with your mother or father?
· Did you walk to school or ride a bus?
· Where did you live while growing up? (city, state, country)
· What was one of your favorite treats as a child?
· Did your grandmother make any special desserts or food that you enjoyed?
· Tell about a time that you helped someone in time of need.
· Tell about a time that someone helped you in time of need.
· Tell about your first car.
· Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker? Or been one?
· Tell about your first serious boy/girlfriend.
· What form of transportation did you have while growing up?
· Tell about a party that you hosted at your house or your parent's house.
· Tell about a disastrous experience.
· Did you ever save money for a big purchase?
· Did you go to college or have vocational training - where or when?
· What do you think about movies - what is your favorite movie and why?
· Who was your best friend while you were growing up? Do you still associate with them?
· What did your parents do for work while you were growing up?
· What is your favorite book?
· Tell about an experience you had with your friends while growing up.
· Tell about the most trying experience you have ever had.
· Tell about going to a high school dance.
· Describe the places where you hung out with your friends as a teenager.Tell about a person in school who was mean or snobby.
· Tell about a double date.
· What games did you play in your neighborhood?
· Tell about some of your family traditions - Christmas, birthdays, Graduation, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, hunting, funerals, weddings, Mothers and Fathers Day.
· Do you remember any outstanding family trips or vacations?
· Tell about where you were and what you remember at the time of a historic event in your lifetime.
· Did you have a bicycle? What was it like?
· Describe a childhood birthday.
· Describe a childhood Christmas.
· Describe a typical school day as a child in elementary school.
· What education did you receive other than at school?
· What was your favorite place to go with your family when you were young?
· Tell about retirement. When, where and what will you do (or are you doing) with your time?
· Write one sentence that tells "how to live successfully".
· Would you choose differently if you could choose occupations again? Why? Any advice?
· What was your most embarrassing moment?
· Describe the most serious illness or accident you have had.
· Describe your first home as a young couple.
· Describe your wedding day.
· Did you have a job as a child? (paper route, lawn mowing, babysitting, etc.)
· What were some of your favorite playground activities?
· What fragrance would you say takes you back in time and what does it remind you of?
· Where did you go to meet new people when you were in your youth?
· Tell about your temperament as a child - has it changed?
· Did you ever set anything on fire or know someone who did?
· Did you ever get a spanking? Grounded? Tell about what you did and the punishment.
· Tell about a star gazing experience.
· Have you ever spent any time out of the USA?
· Describe how the ways of doing household chores was different when you were growing up than it is today.
· Did you ever have a favorite scary story while you were growing up? What was it about?
· Did you ever have a graveyard or a haunted house experience?
· Did you ever keep a secret about someone? Are you still keeping it today? Tell about it if you can!
· Tell about going to the County Fair or the amusement park when you were a child.
· Describe getting a Christmas tree with your family as a child. Tell when and how it was decorated.
· Tell about "hand-me-downs" you received or gave.
· Tell about the "Tooth Fairy" and other personages you remember.
· Tell about learning a skill from either of your parents, cooking, sewing, cleaning, fixing things, etc.
· Describe what you think it is like to live with you.
· Describe one of your favorite outfits of all time...a dress, shoes, shirt, hat.
· How did you feel about school?
· Were you or do you remember anyone in your school class being punished by a teacher?
· List and tell about at least three good qualities about yourself.
· What do you feel has been the most significant event that has taken place in your lifetime and how has it affected you?
· Tell something you remember about your relationship with your grandfather.
· Tell something you remember about your relationship with your grandmother.
· Tell about the homes you lived in as a child. Do you remember any of the addresses or telephone numbers? Who lived next door?
· Tell about your involvement with a civic or political group.
· Did you grow up with music in your family?
· Tell about a bully in your neighborhood or at school.
· Name the most romantic song you can remember and tell why.
· Make a list of the things in your junk drawer and tell why you are keeping them.
· Tell about some of the most exciting experiences with scouting.
· List a few of the simple things in life that make you smile and tell why.
· Name the personality trait you most admire and tell why. Do you know many people with this trait?
· Do you remember your favorite childhood fantasy?
· Did your mother or grandmother sew, quilt, knit or crochet? Tell about things made.
· Describe a typical day in your life from what time you get up in the morning to bedtime.
· Tell about being a grandparent. Name your grandchildren.
· How did you feel when you first became a grandparent?
· Tell about how, when and where you learned to drive a car. Any accidents or tickets?
· Tell about a special anniversary.
· Did you have a childhood hideout? Where? Describe it. What kinds of things did you do there?
· Tell about religion practiced in your home.
· Tell of a time that you felt God was there to help you in your struggles.
· Tell about the experience or person you feel was the most influence in your life.
· Was there a special teacher in your life? (Not necessarily in a school environment).
· Tell about the changes in society in general you have seen in your lifetime.
· Tell about the changes in morality you have seen during your lifetime.
· Tell about fashion trends you have seen in your life, what you wore as a child, teen, and adult.
· Tell about a food that you hated as a child...do you like it now?
· If you could be an animal what would you be and why?
· Write about a "one on one" experience you had with your father.
· Write about a "one on one" experience you had with your mother.
· Tell a story your mother told you from her past.
· Were you ever in a drama or speech class, on a sports team, or in a club?
· What is one of the most exciting places you have ever visited? What made it so exciting?
· Tell about a camping or fishing experience.

(This version from here: http://www.dennydavis.net/poemfiles/jrnljar.htm)

{personal history jar questions}

I did this in Finnish already but here's the English version. If you want to get started on your personal history, here are some questions that can get you started. If you do a Google search for "personal history jar questions" you'll find different versions of this same thing. The idea is to cut these questions in strips, roll them up and put them in a jar (you might want to keep the same topic questions together). Then you pick a question and answer it when you have a moment to write. If you make this as a gift to someone (parents, grandparents...) then just add some candy in the jar and decorate the jar nicely. If that person is not computer savy then include a large journal book with the gift.

***

What is your full name and why were you named it?
Were you named after somebody else?
Did you have a nickname as you were growing up?
If you did, what was it and why did they call you that?
Have you had other nicknames as an adult?
What do family members call you now?
Where were you born and when?
Do you remember hearing your grandparents describe their lives? What did they say?
Do you remember your great-grandparents? What do you know about them?
Who was the oldest person you can remember in your family as a child? What do you remember about them?
Do you remember your family discussing world events and politics?
Was there a chore you really hated doing as a child?
What would you consider to be the most important inventions that have been made during your lifetime?
How is the world now different from what it was like when you were a child?
What kinds of books did you like to read?
Do you remember having a favorite nursery rhyme or bedtime story? What was it?
Do you ever remember not having enough food to eat because times were hard for your family?
What were your favorite toys and what were they like?
What were your favorite childhood games?
What were your schools like?
How did you get to school?
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
What subject in school was always the easiest for you?
What was your least favorite subject in school and why?
Who was your favorite teacher and why were they special?
What school activities and sports did you participate in?
Did you and your friends have a special hang-out where you liked to spend time? Where was it and what did you do there?
Were you ever given any special awards for your studies or school activities?
How many years of education have you completed?
Do you have a college degree? If so, what was your field of study?
Did you get good grades?
Did you like school?
What did you usually wear to school? Describe it.
Were there any fads during your youth that you remember vividly?
How old were you when you started dating?
Do you remember your first date? Describe the circumstances.
Name a good friend that you have known for the longest period of time? How many years have you been friends?
Has there ever been anyone in your life that you would consider to be your kindred spirit or soul mate? If so, who were they and why did you feel a special bond to them?
How did you meet the person that you would later marry? Describe him/her?
Do you remember where you went on the first date with your spouse?
How long did you know him/her before you got married?
Describe your wedding proposal.
When and where did you get married?
Describe your wedding ceremony. Who was there?
Did you have a honeymoon? If so, where did you go?
How would you describe your spouse? What do (did) you admire most about them?
How long have you been married (or were you married)?
What wise advice would you give to a grandchild on their wedding day?
How many children did you have all together?
What were their names, birth dates and birthplaces?
Do you remember anything that your children did when they were small that really amazed you?
What is one of the most unusual things that one of your children did regularly when they were small?
What was the funniest thing you can remember that one of your children said or did?
If you had it to do all over again, would you change the way you raised your family? How?
What did you find most difficult about raising children?
What did you find most rewarding about being a parent?
Did you spoil any of your children? How?
Were you a strict or lenient parent?
Did you find that you had to treat each of your children differently? If so, why?
How did you first hear that you were a grandparent and how did you feel about it?
What advice do you have for your children and grandchildren?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
What was your first job?
What kinds of jobs have you had?
How did you decide on your career?
Did you make enough money to live comfortably?
How long did you have to work each day at your job?
How old were you when you retired?
What were the hardest choices that you ever had to make? Do you feel like you made the right choices?
Who was the person that had the most positive influence on your life? Who were they and what did they do?
Is there a person that really changed the course of your life by something that they did? Who were they and what did they do?
Do you remember someone saying something to you that had a big impact on how you lived your life? What was it?
What wars have been fought during your lifetime? How did you feel about them?
If you served in the military, when and where did you serve and what were your duties?
If you served in the military, were you ever injured in the line of duty? What were the circumstances and what were your injuries?
What countryleader have you admired the most and why?
As you see it, what are the biggest problems that face your nation and how do you think they could be solved?
How tall are you?
What color was your hair as a young child and then as an adult?
What color are your eyes?
Where have you lived as an adult? List the places and the years that you lived there.
Why are you living where you are today?
Do you wish you lived somewhere else (If so, where would it be)?
Describe your general health.
What major illnesses or health problems do you remember having?
Do you have any health problems that are considered hereditary in nature? If so, what are they?
What do you do regularly for exercise?
Do you have any bad habits now or in the past? What were they?
Have you ever been the victim of a crime? What happened?
Have you ever been in a serious accident?
Has anyone ever saved your life? Describe.
Have you ever saved anyone else's life? Describe.
Have you ever been hospitalized? If so, what?
Have you ever had surgery? If so, what for?
If you could instantly change something about yourself, what would it be?
What do you usually dream about?
What church, if any, do you attend regularly?
Describe your religious beliefs.
Do you believe in an after life?
What was the most stressful experience that you ever lived through? What helped you get through it?
What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you personally?
What kinds of musical instrument(s) have you learned to play?
Would you consider yourself creative?
What things have you made that others have enjoyed?
How would you describe your sense of humor?
What activities have you especially enjoyed as an adult?
What are your hobbies?
What did you like to do when you were not working?
What is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to you?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Have you ever met any famous people? Describe what happened.
What organizations and groups have you belonged to?
Have you ever won any special awards or prizes as an adult? What were they for?
Describe a time and place when you remember feeling truly at peace and happy to be alive. Where were you and what were you doing?
What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited and what was it like?
What is the longest trip that you have ever gone on? Where did you go?
What has been your favorite vacation? Where did you go and why was it special?
What was the favorite place you ever visited and what was it like?
What pets have you had?
Do you have a favorite story about a pet? What is it?
Is there anything you have always wanted to do, but haven't?
What is your favorite style of music?
What is your favorite musical instrument?
Who is your favorite musical group?
What is your favorite song?
Who is your favorite singer?
Who is your favorite movie star?
What is your favorite movie?
Who is your favorite artist?
What is your favorite painting?
Who is your favorite poet?
What is your favorite poem?
What is your favorite TV program?
Who is your favorite author?
What is your favorite book?
What is your favorite season?
What is your favorite tree?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite sport?
Who is your favorite athlete?
What is your favorite animal?
What is your favorite meal?
What is your favorite fruit?
What is your favorite vegetable?
What is your favorite candy?
What is your favorite cookie?
What is your favorite drink?
What is your favorite restaurant?
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
What is your favorite board game?
What is your favorite card game?

{couple of aha moments}

The other day, Sienna got really frustrated when she was trying to write her name on her drawing. Her N looked like M. She's somewhat of a perfectionist. She thinks she should be able to do things right away. No matter how much I tried to explain things for her, the tears kept coming. So the next day I got this idea. She loves to trace things using my lightbox. I printed her name many times on a sheet of paper, taped another paper on top of that. Turned on the light box and way she went. She was able to practice her name without getting all frustrated. She actually had fun. I taught her how to stop on the points in her letters and she was able to do the letters more sharply.

So there. Fun way for kids to practice writing. :)

ps. If you don't have a lightbox, just make your letters light gray in color and they can trace over that. (I can be quite smart at times :))

I do clean up my desk but few days afterwards, it always ends up looking like this.
Then I totally recommend this book to everyone. Creating Keepsakes' Family History Scrapbooking, author: Becky Higgins.
I get so inspired when I read/browse this book. I like her rule for family history scrapbooking: that it should be about the people and their stories, not about how well and fancy you can scrapbook. I want to keep my family history scrapbooking really simple too. This book really is worth purchasing. She shares lots of great tips and there are ton of layouts to inspire you and get you excited about family history.

Have you asked your parents how they met and have you recorded their story somehow? I like how Becky used both her mom's and dad's version of the story on her layout.

If you haven't been bitten by the family history bug yet, what are you waiting for? :) It is so fun to learn about your family and your ancestors. If you have kids, please make sure you share your life story with them.
Then to my second aha moment of the week... :)
Blogs are so family history! I keep a private, personal blog for our family memories. Sienna will be able to read about our every day lives and see all the pictures. I sure hope nothing ever happens to Blogspot or the Internet. Must remember to backup blogs too regularly. I'm also planning on printing out our family blog every so often.
I have wanted to start writing my personal history for so long now. I have felt somewhat overwhelmed by the largeness of the project. Where to start? How to do it? I realized that I love to blog (obviously). It's so fast and easy to type things here and add pictures too. I realized that I could make my personal history in a blog format. Keep it private so only those very few whom I want to see it will see it. Then when I have 15 minutes here and there, I can jot down stories as they pop into my head. I plan on scanning all my pictures too (there aren't that many, some of you might have too many to do that) and include them on the blog. This is great because I have glued many of my pictures in albums with a glue that contains acid and eventually those pictures will look terrible because of it (way back then I had no idea that glue eats pictures).
Then even more ahas hit me... :)
We have been waiting for a baby album for Jay "forever" now. His mom wanted to scrapbook everything for him but just doesn't have the time to do that. I was thinking that I could start a blog for her where she can atleast write the stories down. I thought that she could start with Jay and then go down in age order and do the same for the other siblings. I'm going to ask her if she'd be willing to do that. If not, maybe I can figure out a way to help her finish that HUGE scrapbook project she has started. I want Jay's baby album. :)
Start bugging your family about family memories. :) It doesn't matter how you decide to save those memories. Please just make sure you do. It's a good idea to start interviewing the oldest relatives first (grandparents for example).
I will continue to keep a blog for Sienna and that'll be my best gift for her. I'm sure it'll be the most precious to her as well. Even this blog might be of interest to Sienna one day. She'll be able to see what else her mommy was interested in than her. :)
Junk doesn't last. Memories do.

{yllatys, yllatys}

***

ISOT lumihiutaleet yllattivat mut tanaan...

Aamulla siis maassa oli vahan lunta kun herattiin. Olin tosi vasy aamulla huonosti ja liian vahan nukutun yon jalkeen. Eli eka ajatus lumen nahdessa oli VOI EI!

Mutta... Tanaan Jayn ei tarvinnut tehda toita ja yhdessa mentiin out and about. Oli jotenkin kiva paiva. Mentiin yhdessa vaiheessa Whyte Avenuen kirjakauppaan ja nama ISOT lumihiutaleet jostain syysta olivatkin sitten niin ihania. Piristivat mut ihan. Hoh. Mika on mussa vialla? :D

ps. Lumet on sulaneet jo. Luonto sai paljon kaivattua vetta. Huomisen jalkeen on taas luvattu lamminta ilmaa.
***

***
Tassa yksi Whyte Avenuen sahkokaapeista. Whyte Avenuella on paljon seinamaalauksia ja eri taiteilijat ovat maalanneet kunkin sahkokaapin.

***
***
Oikeastaan koko paiva on yllattanyt mut tanaan. Luulin etta tasta tulee plaah paiva kun olin niin vasy ja reidet edelleen kiljuu kivusta. Mutta ei - tanaan on ollut hyva paiva. Ihana kun paiva meneekin paremmin kuin mita on odottanut. Me likey. :)
Kirjakaupassa tein ihania loytoja. Niiiiiiin halvalla loysin Siennalle uusia kirjoja. Taidan saastaa nama synttariksi kuitenkin. No, katsotaan maltanko odottaa niin kauan. Itse innostun lasten kirjoista varmaan jopa enemman kuin Sienna. Khm. :) Aina saa olla lapsenmielinen, saahan...
***

***
Lastenkirjat jotka on pakko ostaa omistavat tietyt kriteerit (ei riita pelkastaan etta halvalla saa, isosta ale valikoimasta vain nama kolme hyvaksyin ostettavaksi):

1. Hauska tarina. Ihana tarina. Sootti tarina. Olisi miten kivat kuvat vaan niin tarina se on joka on tarkeinta.

2. Kirjoissa ei saa olla mitaan pelottavaa. Sienna on tosi herkka. Ei noitia tai morrimoykkyja meille, kiitos.

3. Kuvitus pitaa olla kiva. Joissakin kuvitukset on taiteellisia mutta ei sellaisia etta lapset niista tykkaisi. On kylla pakko myontaa etta joskus olen ostanut kirjan jossa kuvitus vaan on upea. Itselleni.

***

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Super sootti kirja haleista.
***

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Taman kirjan taidan saastaa paljon myohemmalle. Kun Sienna on koulussa. Se on tavallaan kuin vauvakirja mutta isommalle lapselle. Eli kaikkea kivaa tietoa lapsesta. Lapsi itse saa piirtaa sinne ja kirjoitella. Tuskin maltan odottaa etta saadaan Siennan kanssa vasailla tallaista.

Mietin etta tallaiset kirjat olisi ihan helppo kylla tehda itsekin. Lapset voivat piirtaa kivoja kuvia. Erilaisia haastatteluja lapsista.

Idiksia mita voi kirjaan laittaa:

*sukupuu kuvineen

*infoa perheen lemmikkielaimesta

*pituus, paino jne

*taidot ja harrastukset

*lempi vaatteet

*milta koti nayttaa

*kuva huoneesta

*mita perhe tykkaa tehda yhdessa

*ystavien nimet ja kuvat

*kaikki lempijutut

*rarportti synttareista

*raportti koulusta (opettaja, kaverit, lempiaiheet...)

***

Merkkareitakin kaytiin ostamassa. Kippo taas taynna. :)

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{spring, summer, fall, winter}

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What do you do with a kid all day when she can't walk and playing with same old toys isn't fun enough? This is what I did today. First I printed the bare tree picture on blue paper, then made the various grounds, tree leaves, weather pictures, etc. I laminated everything for durability. Sienna had so much fun changing the season. The most fun part was raking leaves into a pile (with a pretend rake - a doll's plastic fork). I'm going to keep adding things to this project - bunnies, other animals, people skiing... The sky is the limit. You can make different scenaries too (a beach, a park...). Fun way to talk about different seasons and what you do in what weather.
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I did these long time ago. I keep my family history scarpbooking real simple.
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{oma elamankerta}

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Blossoming magnolia trees.

(images via google image search)

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Ei sen kummempaa kuulu kun Siennan nilkka on edelleen kipea. Ajattelin etta laittaisin tanne nama henkilokohtaisen historian kysymykset. Helppo tapa alkaa kirjoittamaan oma elaman historia (yksi kysymys kerrallaan silloin kun on aikaa). Taman voi antaa sukulaisille lahjaksi kivalla tavalla: pitaa vaan leikata kysymykset "liuskoiksi", rullata ne rullaksi, laittaa jonkinlaiseen kivaan kippoon namien kanssa. :)

Jokaisen elamassa on arvokasta tietoa jalkipolville.

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MINKA AMMATIN VALITSISIT JOS VOISIT VALITA IHAN MINKA VAAN (JA SINULLA OLISI SIIHEN KYVYT) MIKSI?

KETA IHAILET JA MIKSI?

KERRO MINKALAISTA TYOTA OLET TEHNYT ELAMASSASI? ONKO SINULLA HAUSKOJA TYOKOKEMUKSIA? KERRO KAIKKEA MITA TULEE MIELEEN TYOVUOSISTASI.

KERRO MITA MIELTA OLET MAAILMAN TAPAHTUMISTA. (HYVAT JA HUONOT)

KUVITTELE MINKALAINEN MAAILMA ON 100 VUOTTA NYKYPAIVASTA. KIRJOITA YKSITYISKOHTAISESTI MITA LUULET TULEVAISUUDESSA TAPAHTUVAN.

KERRO SELLAISESTA TAPAHTUMASTA ELAMASSASI JOKA OPETTI SINULLE PALJON.

KERRO ERIKOISEN KIVASTA LAHJASTA JONKA OLET JOSKUS SAANUT.

MILLAISIA MUISTOJA SINULLA ON LAPSUUDEN SYNTYMAPAIVISTA, JOULUISTA TAI MUISTA JUHLAPAIVISTA?

MIKA ON ARVOKKAIN ASIA/TAVARA JONKA OMISTAT JA MIKSI?

MITA MUISTAT OPETTAJISTA JOITA SINULLA OLI KOULUSSA JA MITA OPIT HEILTA?

MITA HALUAISIT OPPIA ELAMASSASI (TIETYNLAINEN KYKY, ESIM. TANSSIMINEN)?

KERRO ULKOMAANMATKOISTASI TAI MUISTA LOMA KOKEMUKSISTA. MIKA ON UNELMALOMASI JOS VOISIT VALITA IHAN MINKA VAAN?

KUVAILE HAAPAIVASI JA KAIKEN MINKA MUISTAT SIITA? (MYOS SIIHEN LIITTYVAT ASIAT, KIHLAUS…)

KERRO JOKAISEN LAPSESI RASKAUSAJASTA JA SYNTYMASTA NIIN PALJON KUIN MUISTAT.

MIKA ON TARKEIN ASIA JONKA OLET OPETTANUT LAPSILLESI?

MITA MIELTA OLET ISANMAASTASI, SUOMESTA? MIKA SINUN MIELESTASI TEKEE SUOMESTA SUOMEN? MIKA ON HYVAA SUOMESSA? MIKA VOISI PARANTUA?

MITA MUISTOJA SINULLA ON LAPSUUTESI KODISTA?

KERRO ISASTASI, AIDISTASI JA VELJISTA JA SISKOISTA. KERRO SELLAISISTA KOKEMUKSISTA JOTKA OVAT JAANEET MIELEEN, HEIDAN LUONTEISTAAN, MITA TYOTA TEKIVAT, JNE.

LUETTELE KAIKKI “LEMPI” JUTTUSI (VARI, RUOKA, KUKKA, VUODENAIKA, TV-OHJELMA, NAYTTELIJA, JNE.) JA MIKSI NE ON MIELEISESI.

JOS VOISIT MATKUSTAA IHAN MINNE VAAN, MINNE MENISIT JA MIKSI? MIKA MAA KIEHTOO SINUA JA MIKSI?

MIKA TEKEE SINUT ILOISEKSI?

MITA OLET OPPINUT JONKA HALUAISIT JOKAISEN IHMISEN OPPIVAN?

KERRO LAPSUUSYSTAVISTASI JA MITA TEITTE YHDESSA.

OLETKO KOSKAAN TELTTAILLUT? KERRO KOKEMUKSISTASI.

MITA TAPAHTUI TYYPILLISENA PAIVANA LAPSUUTESI AIKOINA? MINKALAISET ASIAT OVAT MUUTTUNEET?

KERRO JOKAISESTA LAPSESTASI JA HEIDAN LUONTEISTAAN JNE.

KERRO ESI-ISISTASI JOTKA OVAT KUOLLEET MUTTA JOISTA TIEDAT KERTOMUKSIA. MITA TIEDAT HEISTA?

MITA AJATTELET KUOLEMASTA JA MITA TAPAHTUU KUOLEMAN JALKEEN?

KERRO MINKALAISIA SAIRAUKSIA JA ONNETTOMUUKSIA SINULLA ON OLLUT ELAMASSASI. KERRO SAIRAALAKOKEMUKSISTA.

KERRO LEMPIHARRASTUKSESTASI TAI HAUSKIMMASTA PUUHASTASI.

KERRO JOULUTRADITIOISTASI JA MUUSTA JOULUUN LIITTYVASTA ASIASTA. ONKO SINULLA RAKKAITA JOULUKUUSENKORISTEITA? MUISTATKO OMATEKOISIA KORISTEITA?

MUISTATKO ENSI RAKKAUTESI/IHASTUKSESI? KERRO SIITA. MIKA SAI SINUT IHASTUMAAN SIIHEN HENKILOON?

OLETKO TAVANNUT KETAAN KUULUISAA HENKILOA? KERRO SIITA.

KERRO KOULUAJOISTASI. MIKA OLI MIELENKIINTOISIN KOULUAIHE? MISTA ET PITANYT?

MILLAINEN OLI ENSIMMAINEN OMA KOTISI? MUISTATKO MITA VUOKRA MAKSOI? KUVAILE KOTISI NIIN TARKKAAN KUIN VOIT.

KERRO TAMANHETKISESTA KODISTASI. HYVAT JA HUONOT PUOLET, MIKA ON RAKKAIN HUONEKALUSI…

MINKALAISIA LEIKKEJA LEIKIT LAPSENA?

KERRO NOLOSTA KOKEMUKSESTA.

ONKO SINULLA TERVEYSVINKKEJA? KAUNEUSVINKKEJA? MUITA VINKKEJA?

ONKO SINULLA LEMPIRESEPTI? KIRJOITA MUUTAMA LEMPIRESEPTI YLOS.

MIKA ON LUONTEENPIIRRE JONKA HALUAISIT ITSELLESI? MIKSI?

KERRO ELAMASI SAAVUTUKSISTA.

ONKO SINUN PERHEESSASI TRADITIOITA? KERRO NIISTA.

OLITKO KILTTI LAPSI? MITEN VANHEMPASI OPETTIVAT KAYTOSTAPOJA? MILLAINEN OLIT LAPSENA?

KERRO JOTAIN TADISTASI TAI ENOISTASI.

KERRO JOTAIN SERKUISTASI.

TIEDATKO MITEN VANHEMPASI TAPASIVAT? MENIVAT KIHLOIHIN? HEIDAN HAAPAIVASTAAN? MUITA ERIKOISIA KERTOMUKSIA HEISTA?

MIKA ON IHANIN ASIA JOKA SINULLE ON TAPAHTUNUT?

JOS SINUN PITAISI OLLA ELAIN, MIKA ELAIN HALUAISIT OLLA JA MIKSI?

MITA AJATUKSIA SINULLA LIITTYY KEVAASEEN, KESAAN, SYKSYYN JA TALVEEN?

MITA KOTITOITA SINUN PITI TEHDA LAPSENA? TYKKASITKO NIISTA?

MILLAISIA OLI LAPSUUTESI LOMAPAIVAT?

KERRO MITEN OPIT AJAMAAN AUTOA? KERRO MIELEENJAAMISTA AUTOKOKEMUKSISTA. MUISTATKO MITEN OPIT AJAMAAN POLKUPYORAA? KUKA OPETTI JNE?

OLIKO SINULLA NUORENA LEMPIVAATE? MISTA MUUSTA PIDIT NUORENA? MILLAINEN TYYLI OLI SIIHEN AIKAAN?

MIKA OLI TYYPILLINEN TREFFI KOKEMUKSESI NUORENA? KERRO MIELEENJAANEISTA TREFFEISTA.

OLIKO SINULLA LAPSENA/NUORENA LEMPI TV OHJELMA?

MITA MUISTAT ISOVANHEMMISTASI?

MIKA ON LEMPIKIRJASI? KERRO MUISTAKIN MIELEISISTA KIRJOISTA.

MIKA PELOTTAA SINUA? MIKA SAA SINUT INNOSTUMAAN?

MIKA ON LEMPIELOKUVASI? MIKSI?

MITA TIEDAT SYNTYMASTASI? MITA TIEDAT NIMESTASI JA MITEN SAIT NIMESI?

KERRO JOKAISESTA KAUPUNGISTA JA PAIKASTA JOSSA OLET ASUNUT. MINKA TAKIA MUUTIT? OLIKO KIVA PAIKKA?

MITA OLET OPPINUT ELAMASI KOETTELEMUKSISTA?

OLIKO SINULLA LEMMIKKIELAIMIA LAPSENA?

MUISTATKO HAUSKOJA TARINOITA OMISTA LAPSISTASI? VELJISTASI/SISARISTASI? MUISTA PERHEENJASENISTA JA SUKULAISISTA?

MIKA ON RAKKAIN OSA LUONNOSTA SINULLE? MIKA ON KAUNISTA?

OPITKO JOTAIN JOLTAKIN JOKA AUTTOI SINUA PALJON ELAMASSASI?

MIKA ON ENSIMMAINEN MUISTO LAPSUUDESTASI? MILLAISTA OLI OLLA PIENI LAPSI SIIHEN AIKOIHIN?

MIKA ON LEMPIVALOKUVASI ITSESTASI? KERRO SIITA TAPAHTUMASTA.

MIKA ON JOKAISEN LAPSESI PARAS LUONTEENOMAISUUS? MIKA ON HEIKOIN?

MUISTATKO MINKA AMMATIN HALUSIT LAPSENA?

KERRO MITA ISOJA TAPAHTUMIA ON TAPAHTUNUT ELAMASSASI JA MITEN NE VAIKUTTIVAT SINUUN.

MIKA OLI HAUSKAA 1970 LUVULLA? MITA MUISTAT 1960 LUVUSTA? (MUUTA VUOSIKYMMENET IKASI MUKAAN)

MITA LIIKUNTAA OLET HARRASTANUT?

OLETKO KOSKAAN KUULUNUT MIHINKAAN SEURAAN/ORGANISAATIOON?

MITA MUUTA HALUAISIT KERTOA TULEVILLE SUKUPOLVILLE?
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