iphones apps for mums...

I've recently stumbled across two iphone apps that are super handy for you moms.  ArtKive, is a free app that allows you take photos of your kiddos artwork, label it, and even share it with the grandparents.  After the school year is up, you can simply hit one button and it transforms all that art into a digital coffee table book!  I'm certain it will get more attention and views in a book rather than a nice box somewhere....

Anyone ever wish you had time to journal certain days or events for your kids, but honestly by bedtime rolls around you are worn out!  DayOne app allows you take photos and list a few things about your day, and even stamps the day with the weather.  You can tag events or kiddos- which makes printing out a "journal" a snap.  You can journal for multiple kiddos, but print only entries with "Ethan" tags!  Read more about it here.

the sweetest gifts...

I wanted to share a few gifts the boys received for Christmas that were my 

absolute favorite...

Ethan was gifted a Kiwi Crate subscription.  I am self-confessed "non-crafty mom" and was thrilled to hear a perfect little box would appear on my doorstep monthly filled with adorable crafts and all the goodies to make them.  How perfect is this for these long winter days?  Thank you Aunt Jessica and Uncle Stephen!

Bennett was gifted a face and name book by Pinhole Press from his Aunt Whitney.  This was the most thoughtful, sweet gift.  It is a book with a name and a face of his loved ones.  It has all of Bennett's grandparents, brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Precious.  

the big picture debate...

What do you do with all the hundreds of photos you take of your kids?  I have no idea what to do with mine anymore.  I am stuck between the digital world and the old school way of actual photos placed in albums.  I used to back them up on Smugmug and then print them all and spend hours putting them in albums and labeling them.

albums stacked on by bookcases

Then... I got behind.  Lets say I am a good year behind.  I still organize them on my computer and back them up in smugmug.  I just couldn't keep up with printing and albums.  Looking back, I shouldn't have printed all of them, just my favorites.

For Ethan's 2nd birthday, I made him a book on iphoto of his 2nd year (12 months-23 months).  I took all of my favorite photos from holidays, everyday, and events and made a book.  I was impressed with the quality of the book verses shutterfly or snapfish, but it was more pricey.  It did take me several hours, but not near the amount of time or money spent on albums and prints.

 the front of the book

inside cover

sample of one of the pages

the back of the book

So what are your thoughts on photo organization?  I have had this ongoing debate with myself about what is "best" thing to do.  I can't imagine not going to my mom's house and looking through my baby albums.  Are we cutting our kids short if we don't make these for our kids?