A Project 52 (P52) is typically a personal photography project, which involves taking one photo every week for a year.  Photographers often do P52s as a way of challenging themselves, honing their skills and stretching their creativity.

This P52 is different.  It does involve taking photos, but my focus is to help you to make memories with your child, and capturing those precious moments, so that they stay with you forever.  But more importantly, so that moment is captured for your child, who quite possibly won’t remember it otherwise.  Memories (especially early childhood memories) are often captured for us…parents capture the moment and relay it to the child in the future; when looking through old photos and telling stories of things that have happened while our children are too young to remember it themselves.  These become precious bonding moments, that children get so much joy from.

So, every week for the whole of 2022, I will provide an activity for you to do with your little one.  At the end, you will have captured this year in a beautiful & meaningful way, that is unique and personal to you and your loved ones.  I will be doing this alongside you with my own children, as I truly believe that capturing their childhood in a fun and engaging way is so important, as it tells their story whilst creating precious memories for us all to enjoy.

Imagine having a record of the year ahead, captured beautifully through a series of simple & fun activities with your little one, that you can pass on to them when they are older.

In the coming days, I’ll let you know more about the benefits of doing this P52 with me, and also share the details of the first task.

I’m excited to share this journey with you & wish you happy memory catching!

1. It gives you time to connect, enabling you to be in the moment and focused on yourself and your little ones.  It can be hard as a parent when we’re doing some many things for our little ones, to make time to do things with them.  I’m re-claiming Sundays for my family, & dedicating Sunday to family fun & adventures.  You could do the same, or just do these as you go along, whatever works for you!  The best thing is that you don’t have to do any planning… you get to have fun with your loved ones without having to wrack your brain (or Google) for activities each week. 

2. Each activity is an experience.  Every activity is a mini-experience for you to make your own & have fun with!  Enjoy the activity itself & the time with your little one.  Keep it simple or go as big as you like…this is your time and your memories with your little sweethearts, make it whatever you want it to be!  Each activity will come with tips on how to keep it simple or go big.  These aren’t one-size-fits all…they’re specifically designed to flex to fit you!

3. Tell your story, your way:  You get to tell your story of 2022, in a unique & meaningful way for you and your loved ones.  I guarantee that every single person that does this challenge will have completely different memories and images at the end of it!  You will be able to look back on it and pinpoint when your little one reached a particular milestone, or just reminisce about the fun you had together.  How often do you get a chance to capture a year without getting sucked down the rabbit hole of trying to choose from the hundreds of photos on your phone (how can you choose when they’re ALL SO CUTE!!)?!!

4. Capturing things we might otherwise miss:  Sometimes we remember the smallest, funniest little details about something.  A smell, a look, a taste, something silly that someone said…that really loud snort-laugh in public!  My littlest says the most hilarious and unexpected things sometimes, and that single moment is both a joy and a treasure to capture and re-live. This P52 will help re-frame the way that you look at the little things and help you to capture things that you might otherwise have missed.

5. It’s something fun to look forward to:  Sometimes life with littles becomes a blur from one task to the next, especially when they’re tiny & life revolves around feeds, changes and sleeps.  You do not have to make big plans for this, you have all week to do it, and you won’t get side-tracked by that unexpected but inevitable poonami.

6. The decision making & research is done for you!  Having to think, plan & decide can be tough when you’re constantly distracted by the everyday.   This P52 is so simple.  An activity each week, tips on how to do it, quality time with your little one & beautiful memories at the end of it…sign me up!! 

7. You don’t need specialist skills:  You do not need to be a creative genius or expert photographer for this (if you need those skills, come to me lol!).  Whilst most P52s are purely about photography, mine isn’t.  This is all about experiences and creating memories with your little ones, which just happen to be captured using photography (among other things).  At the end of this, you will have a treasure trove of memories from this year, and will be raring to do it all again next year when you see how easy, fun and meaningful it is!

1. Create a dedicated time each week for the activities
2. Plan ahead & make sure you have any materials needed for the activity.  I plan to gather any materials needed during the week and do the activity at the weekend.  You might do something similar if that works for you.
3. Create a separate folder in your phone and tag your P52 images into it as you go along, so that when you’re ready to print and collate it all, you have everything in one place.  If you have created a dedicated time per week for the P52, it will become second nature to you.
4. Know what your goal is for the P52.  How are you going to capture it?  For example, I have chosen a 52 image photo frame for displaying the images (one per week / experience), and a 60 page A3 scrapbook for capturing more detail around the memories (I may actually do two scrapbooks, so that each of my children can have one).
5. Don’t worry if you miss a week.  Life is messy and hectic.  Life with littles even more so (in the best possible way!).  Be kind to yourself…if you miss a week, try to do two activities the following week.
6. Be flexible.  If you are busy with family…immerse yourself in that and capture something to do with that.  If you’re away on holiday, capture those moments either as part of a weekly activity, or just on it's own.  For example a handprint activity, could easily be handprints in the sand at the beach, or a mashed avocado handprint on a plate from baby’s first meal!
7. Firsts.  If your baby has a first…capture it.  In any way that makes sense to you.  This isn’t a script…it’s your life, your experiences & your memories...your little one will love them & will thank you later!!

Our very first activity is capturing your little one’s or family’s handprints.

I’m personally doing handprints of our whole family, so that we have the perspective of how small our little ones’ hands are compared to ours.  I’m doing ours with a paint print set, but you can use an inkless handprint kit if paint isn’t suitable for your little one, or if messy isn’t your thing.

We might even get a little creative and make some homemade art with handprints surrounded by a heart made from fingerprints, which will make a great greetings card or gift for someone special.

Another take on this is to buy an extra wide canvas and add your little one’s handprint each month as they grow, so that they have a very personal piece of art when they’re older.

Or you could go much bigger and get your handprints cast in plaster or bronze…either just for baby or for the whole family. 

Don’t forget to take a photo of your little showing off their messy hands…if they’re anything like mine, they’ll relish the opportunity to get stuck in & messy!

I’m doing three things with this: 

1. Family handprints in a frame for the wall
2. Family handprints in the scrapbook with captions and quotes
3. Photo of the activity in the photo frame & scrapbook*

*I’m using an A3 scrapbook & a 52 image photo frame to capture our P52 this year, so that we have a memory each week for the wall, and a scrapbook filled with memories and momentos of 2022.

What makes your little one laugh?  If your sweetheart is tiny, capture those first smiles and what is making them smile.  Is it a smile from Mummy, is it a funny noise by a sibling, cuddles with Daddy?  Whatever it is, capture it. 

For not-so-littles I don’t mean just a smile…I mean those gorgeous belly laughs! Those head back, legs in the air, tears in your eyes, ‘this is so hilarious’ laugh out loud belly laughs that are simply contagious. 

Capture that smile!  And record that gorgeous sound…a video clip or voice note will bring a smile to you (and your little one when they’re not so little anymore).

This week’s task requires zero effort. 

OK, zero additional effort. 

Whether your bedtime routine is simply feed, burp, sleep, or a little more involved (7 bedtime stories, multiple reminders to brush teeth, 2 trips downstairs for a drink of water & 17 requests for a snack) this task is simple. 

Once you’ve got the ‘getting to sleep’ part done (as you do every night), this week’s task is simply to capture the blissful sleeping beauty that is your little one.  Try to memorise how it feels to hold your sleeping little one.  Take a photo.  And then enjoy some sleeping baby snuggles. 

This time is so precious.  And fleeting.  And quiet!!  Enjoy :)

This week’s task is a breath of fresh air.

Literally! 

Several breaths actually. 

There are so many many benefits for our physical and mental health to be gained from being outdoors.  Even if it's only for a little while.  So while the weather is chilly but clear, let's bundle up & get outside for a change of scenery and some fresh air.

The destination is your choice.  The objective is simply to be in the moment with your little one.  So whether it's bundled up snuggles on a park bench, sharing a slide at the playground or races along a country path...go wherever your mood takes you, do whatever you feel like and have fun! 

Don't forget to capture it...even if it's a quick selfie together at the end of an energetic spin together.  Capture the joy on your faces!

Happy memory making with your bundle(s) of joy!

This week is Chinese New Year. 

Happy New Year to all who are celebrating!

There are so many directions that this week's activity could go in.  From simply photographing your little one wearing / holding / with something red, to all out celebrating Chinese New Year.

Some activities you could try are:

• Read a story:  Family time is hugely important and a wonderful opportunity for some quiet quality time with your little one(s).  Some ideas for fun Chinese New Year stories include:  How To Catch A Dragon, Ruby's Chinese New Year or Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas.
• 2022 is the Year of the Tiger.  So how about some tiger themed craft / colouring activities?  Dragons are thought to bring good luck, so a Chinese dragon to craft or colour is another fun option.
• Food is an amazing way for families to connect and bond...how about trying something new?

Whatever you choose for your activity this week, don't forget to capture it (and save the crafts / colouring pages if you're also scrapbooking).

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead!

Happy memory making!

This week is Children's Mental Health Week, with the theme of 'Growing Together'. 

There are so many things that can fit this theme, depending on the age of your little one.  And of course, children's & parental well-being go hand-in-hand.  So here are some ideas for you and your little one(s) this week:

• Create your own Inspiration & Motivation Wall:  Design / make / buy posters to frame in the nursery, playroom, bedroom, study area or wherever you like, for your little one to see every day & remind them of how much they can already do, how much they are growing and how to manage challenges.  There are so many inspirational quotes out there:  Google 'growth mindset quotes' or 'growth mindset posters' & create something special.
• Create a calm corner:  A little space just for you and your littles, where you can go to share some calm moments.  Make it as cosy & peaceful as you like...I'm thinking lots of throw pillows, & blankets, a tent or spare sofa.  Fill this with puzzles, quiet games, story books or calming music that you enjoy.  Make this a space to escape and re-connect, even if it's just for a much-needed cuddle.
• Affirmations:  positive self-talk is such a helpful thing for everyone.  Think of how you want your little one to think of themselves and find short phrases that mean something to you both for your little one to hear / day every day.  I am brave, I am kind, I am capable, I can achieve anything etc.  Then find some phrases that embody what kind of parent you want to be and tell yourself those every day too.  Some examples:  I'm doing great!  It's hard but I'm doing this.  I learn more every day.  Every day is a blessing.
• Baby Yoga: If being physical is your idea of me-time, then try Baby Yoga at home or at a class to help you both feel more connected.

As always, don't forget to capture your activity (and repeat & enjoy on a regular basis).

Wishing you and your loved ones good mental health!

Happy memory making!

February 17^th is Random Acts of Kindness Day.  It is celebrated around the world, bringing surprise and joy to those we love, know or even complete strangers. 

Kindness is so simple and easy, and yet day to day frustrations can rob us of the joy of doing something kind just because.  It’s a wonderful thing to be more mindful of and especially to model for our children. 

So, let’s go have some fun & make someone else’s day!

As my children are old enough to understand the concept and help with the planning, we are doing it together.  The fact that it’s half term makes it a little easier & more fun too.

Some of the options on our list are paying for a soft play ticket for a child in our local area, paying for the next child in line at the cinema, handing out balloons, slipping appreciation notes in their friend’s school bags etc.

Even something as simple as a surprise visit to a loved one or an unexpected card letting someone know how much they appreciate them.

Whether it’s a card, drawing, surprise visit…capture that memory!

Wishing you kindness every day!

Happy memory making!