Pay someone else to make your photo books!!!

So a couple weekends ago I was at a work event with Anthony. A raffle that you could win was a woman that would come to your kid's sporting event for an hour, take pics, and then make you a photo book to print.
I thought "what an awesome idea!" So I googled her and she doesn't actually exist. It was apparently a one-time thing that she was doing for this raffle event. I googled further to see if there was anyone out there that you could pay to make a memory book for you. I couldn't find anything.
So I really want to pursue this, because I'm kinda good at these, but I don't want to invest in anything or build an official website (which costs money) until I know if this will work.
I make memory books all the time using websites. I don't always print them because I don't have $$ but I've made a year book for 2011, 2012, and 2013 for our family. I made a pregnancy memory book which I haven't printed yet. I've made Emi's 0-6 month book which I have printed and you can see. I've made Emi's 6-12 month book which I plan on printing soon. I'm working on a family recipe book right now. I am also working on vacation books from this summer.
I have made/printed several family books that I gave for Christmas. Grandmothers love that gift!
I have also given photo calendar books for Christmas. That's a cheaper/easier gift and grandma's love that too!!

So far I've thought of calling myself "Memories In Print" or "Mama's Memories."
I wanted something cuter but I still wanted it to say what it was. If you have suggestions I'd gladly take them!
I liked the idea of using something with "watermelon" in it because the colors would make a cute logo, but I couldn't think of anything.

So basically I'm taking orders for Christmas just to see what kind of interest there is. I don't want to over commit so first come first served!

Here's what I can do for Christmas:

25-30 page book- usually these cost $50-75 to print. I could make it for $175. 

Calendars usually cost anywhere from $25-40. I can make this for $90.


I'm thinking for Christmas I would just take orders from people that could send me existing photos. Maybe if this idea turns into something real I would create a combo where I could come take pics at a birthday party or a family reunion or a sporting event and then add $50-75.

Here's what I'm thinking would make good Christmas gifts for this year:

Baby books
Family reunion books
Vacation books
Family yearbooks
Family Recipe books
Pervious Christmas albums
Family tree books
ABC books- each letter is the theme of the page- A is for Abigail, B is for boys, C is for Christmas, etc.
Of course you could come up with your own too.

Feel free to share this with others that you think may be interested too!

Emi's Summer in Reverse

We went to eat with Lolli and Pops at the restaurants in Trinity Grove.

We went back to the splash pad where I got to play with friends!

We went back to Burnet where I swam in the lake for the first time and helped Nonni make German Chocolate cake. 

  

I got my toe nails painted!

I went to the Barnes and Nobel fountain.

I went to the Lewisville library for toddler time.

I tried to feed the ducks a second time. I still just wanted to eat the bread myself.

We visited Kristin in Abilene and went to their zoo.

I went to Fredricksburg and went on my 5th wine tour. 

I went to my first splash park at Parr Park in Grapevine and I LOVED it!

More Pinterest ideas! It was a blast!!

I finally mastered walking!

I went to Babypalooza at the Flower Mound library.

I went to 3 different wineries in Michigan.

I celebrated the 4th in style!

I went on a Pontoon boat.

I went on an architecture tour in Chicago.

I had an allergic reaction to sunscreen in Chicago. :(

I took my first plane ride to Chicago. I did pretty good. 

I got sick AGAIN and was diagnosed with pneumonia.

Mom tried Pinterest projects. This one was fun but short lived!

I tried to feed the ducks but I really just wanted to chase them and eat their bread!

We celebrated Father's Day and ate at Steak and Shake.

Emi's 15 Month Stats

15 Month Stats

I figured I'd keep doing this when we do dr. appointments. 

Weight: 20 lb 13 oz

Height: 32”

Percentiles:

45% in weight

90% in height

Favorite Foods:

BANANAS!!, berries, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, beans

Least Favorite Foods:

Avocados, anything that takes time to chew like meat, potatoes

Bedtime:

We've been staying up a little later since it's summer so closer to 8:30 or 9:00. 

Awake:

She figured out summer quick enough. She normally will sleep until 8:00. 

Naps:

Still take 2 good naps most days but if we're on the go (or on vacation) she'll skip the morning one. 

Clothes:

She had a stomach bug and lost some weight so she's still in 12 mo and can wear some 9 mo dresses.  She can wear some 18 mo things if they run small or are one piece like a jumper, dress, or onesie. 

Words:

Dada, daddy, shoes, uh-oh, dog, bubble, bye, no, ya, what, mama (but only when she wants something), up

Favorites:

She loves swimming and splashing in kiddie pools. 

She loves animals of all kinds. She pet her first horse in Fredricksburg. 

She loves to try to put her shoes on or other peoples shoes.
She loves bubbles.

Latest Accomplishments:

She finally got walking down. 

Survived her first plane ride and family vacation. 

She started saying mama.

She can climb things.

She can get in and out of chairs like the bumbo or her bouncy chair.

Struggles this month: 

She takes mommy's "nos" as a challenge but daddy she stops whatever she's doing!

She has decided she hates baths again despite the fact that she loves all other water types! 

She bites me when she’s frustrated. The pediatrician suggested that as soon as she does it I take her to her room and shut the door because toddlers hate isolation, so we’ll start that now. She doesn’t do it to anyone but me and Anthony a couple times.

Things I've learned while traveling with a toddler

We flew to Chicago on Monday. The plane ride wasn't terrible but as expected Emi didn't want to be held. She wanted down and wanted everything that she wasn't supposed to have. 

We have been in Chicago for 3 days and today we're driving to Indiana. 

Here's what I've learned so far:

1. Technology isn't effective on a plane. Emi doesn't have the attention span and she didn't want to wear the headphones so the laptop/DVD/iPad I packed were ineffective and just made everything heavy!

2. Snacks work. But squishy snacks do not. I had nutrigrain bars that were smashed and fig cookies that are ruined. Gold fish were great and animal crackers were great. The puréed pouches were awesome. I've never given those to her because they gross me out but she loves them.

3. Kids can have allergic reactions to things they have used before. Emi had an allergic reaction to sun screen that she uses almost every day. It was scary. 

4. Even if you're well prepared things are going to go wrong. I caught a stomach bug on day one. And it was my bday! :(

5. Blow outs are worse in another town. 

6. You can't operate on other people's schedules with a baby. 

That's what I've learned so far. 

What's for Dinner?

Monday:

Breakfast- eggs and fruit

Lunch- April Palmer's chicken spaghetti (I didn't get this done last week) 

Dinner- pizza for Anthony's bday

Tuesday:

Breakfast- eggs and fruit

Lunch- Left over spaghetti

Dinner- Memaw's slow cooker sloppy joes

Wednesday:

Breakfast- Smoothie for me and waffles for Emi

Lunch- sandwiches

Dinner- It's our anniversary so we'll probably go out. 

Thursday:

Breakfast- blueberry breakfast cake

Lunch- Memaw's chicken pot pie (recipe for my cook book I'm making)

Dinner- Mexican cornbread

Friday:

Breakfast: left over blueberry cake

Lunch:  Left overs

Dinner: Grilled pork chops and squash/zucchini from the garden.

Saturday:

Breakfast: 

Lunch: sushi for my birthday!

Dinner: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Dessert: Memaw's double chocolate coca cola cake!

Sunday:

Breakfast: maybe pancakes

Lunch: Home made pizza

Dinner: left overs since we leave to go out of town tomorrow!

What are we doing this week?

I have already found it helpful to have activities on hand ready to go so that no one complains about being "bored" and Emi doesn't have a melt down because she has too much stored energy. I don't like to be married to a plan so this may totally fail, but hopefully it will keep us busy without busting the budget. I'm titling this post what Bella asks me every weekend, "What are we doing this week[end]".

Monday:

We're going to start taking walks right after breakfast and then Emi can take her morning nap.

Mother Goose Library time- 11:15-12:00

Grocery shopping

Exchanging clothes for Bella and shoe shopping for summer/camp

Afternoon swimming!

Tuesday;

Training for me! :( Stupid trade days!
Bella will hang at the house and probably swim and watch TV and nap- typical teen summer.

Emi will go to Rose Ann's to play with friends. 

Dinner with homegroup!

Wednesday:

Morning Walk- Emi and I may feed the ducks

Bella is leaving for Burnet.

Meeting mom at the Dallas aquarium.
Miranda is coming in town.

Thursday:

Morning walk

Afternoon Swimming
Lolli and Pops are coming over for a cookout for Father's Day/Mother's Day Celebration with Miranda.

Friday:

Morning walk

Barnes and Noble to read and look for books

Splash pad in Highland Village Shops

Saturday:

I will be taking Emi to Lolli's because we are going out for Anthony's birthday party

Sunday:

Sleeping In!
Church

Picking up Emi

We will be packing Bella for church camp.

What's for Dinner?

Piccolo Cafe didn't go well last week, because Anthony thought my meals were too high for the budget so I ended up scrapping it altogether. That caused us to eat out a lot. After 2 breakfasts, more than 3 lunches and at least 3 dinners out this week I think it's easy to say that sticking to a menu and eating as many meals at home as possible, would be better for the budget and the waste line!
So we're going to try again!
We're also doing a family recipe each week. I want to make a family cookbook for Christmas this year, but you have to make recipes and take pictures so I'm going to start that this week too. 

Monday:

Breakfast- eggs and bacon or bagels

Lunch- sandwiches 

Dinner- Tacos

Dessert: Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

Tuesday:

Breakfast- bagels

Lunch- I have training so I'll be eating out, Bella will eat a sandwich and Emi will eat at cafe Rose Ann!

Dinner- Dinner out with our homegroup- Palios!

Wednesday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon muffins

Lunch- April Palmer's chicken spaghetti

Dinner- Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon muffins

Lunch- April Palmer's chicken spaghetti

Dinner- Burgers and home made fries with mom, dad and Miranda

Friday:

Breakfast: 

Lunch: left over chicken bake

Dinner:  Creamy Chicken Bake, brown rice and broccoli 

Saturday:

Breakfast: Eggs and bacon sandwiches

Lunch: I'm sure we'll be tired from Friday so who knows. 

Dinner: Going out for Anthony's bday

Sunday:

Breakfast: Biscuits 

Lunch:

Dinner: