And I don't like it.
I know! Crazy, right? It's the awesome free program and I don't like it.
Keeping track of minutes read drives me nuts. My kids read a lot and really don't need a program like this to encourage them to do so. They do it anyway. And then there's all the "stuff" that gets left around... the posters, stickers, colouring pages, flimsy little toys that get broken-- all cluttering up my house. And then there's the sadness and disappointment when my kids don't win a prize (or worse, when one of them wins and the other two don't!) Yes, Austin was a grand prize winner one year, and that was great, but yeah, it isn't likely to happen again. (And really, we didn't need a two man tent anyway!)
So, this past summer, when Jonah saw that one of the prizes was a Lego Star Wars Brickmaster, I told him that I would buy him a Lego Star Wars Brickmaster if he didn't sign up for the program. Sure, we'd still make our weekly trips to the library, but no reading program. He agreed.
Sage, on the other hand, still wanted to sign up. I couldn't believe it! But she still wanted to do it. I told her she could, but I wouldn't help her write down minutes and she had to keep track herself. (I know, I'm so mean!) And I told her there could be no tears if she didn't win anything. And she was very good about it.
Last night, as I was going through my photo box, I came across a photo of the two of them at the Reading Program Wind-up at the park. I decided to scrapbook it using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Die Cutting Partial Images.
For the MIM technique, I positioned my die on my cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot half-way, and then backed it out. I trimmed off the excess cardstock with my trimmer and rounded the corner.
Here's a close-up, with my journaling:
Thanks for looking!
22 comments:
Hee hee! Loved reading this story, and love your LO!
Very creative take on the challenge. I'm all for getting kids to read anyway that works. there arre just some kids who do not read for the sheer pleasure. (so sad, but true)
The leaves/tag looks great for your journalling. Your technique makes sense too. A beautiful scrapbook page.
Lovely page, Leigh! I love that you used the leaf die for your MIM take. Oh, i also don't like the little bits of toys/kiddie stuffs/whatnots but my boys do -for a time, that is. When they don't notice the bits anymore i discard them, or if they're still usable, i put them in a "to give away" bag :)
What a fun story behind the LO. It's great that your kids like to read anyway and that is a smart way to avoid disappointment for Jonah :) I always dread the cheap toys that come home from birthday parites and such too...funny how the kids just love things like that though! Love the butterfly paper, so pretty and love the way you cut the frame, will have to try your method as I don't have the supplies for the way Besty did it:)
I am totally with you on those library programs. I used to make up my own programs myself for rewards the girls really wanted. Your scrapbook page is great, and I really like how you did that die cut.
I am so with you, Leigh. I really want my kids to love to read but I sincerely dislike the reading programs where they have to track minutes because it usually means I'm reminding them umpteen times a day. ugh! Love how you used the partial die cut - such a neat technique and I so want to give it a try. It looks so cool with the leaves.
Love the die cut leaves! Great take on the challenge.
great idea to just run it halfway through. love the layout.
So pretty! What a great photo and I love how your leaves are growing out of the journaling spot!
I totally agree about the reading program thing...last summer, my son made a goal to read a certain amount of books, and when he did, he got to choose a new Lego set within a $$ amount. Much easier!
Hee hee! Love the MIM technique here, and the story!
Incredible use of the MIM technique. You used it so perfectly in your layout.
Thankfully, our library never had this type of program. It had summer book clubs and the participants were given a new book each week to read and discuss the following week. Brianna looked forward to it each summer. Actually, so did I.
Great layout, Leigh, and how lucky for you that your kids love to read! I'm off to try your technique for only die-cutting half of the image because I couldn't get my Big Shot to cooperate with Betsy's method.
Nice way to use the MIM technique. Love the layout.
Leigh....I am so on board with you! THis past summer we signed up but never really particpated! The kiddos read so much, so to me it is not an issue! Great layout!
Your post makes me laugh. Isn't it great to have avid readers?! It's really great to be able to scrapbook this. This is what it is all about. Capturing life, capturing emotion. Love your MIM and paper selection. Just fabulous!
First of all, congrats on the shoutout on FB!!! That is awesome :) Your page definitely deserves it, the colors are so vibrant. And then the story...it sounds like I wouldn't like that reading program so much for a kid either, especially with the flimsy little prizes. Do they still do "Book-It" at pizza hut? I thought that was a cool one where the kid could earn their own individual pizza for reading a certain number of books.
very creative use of the partial die and love your simplified technique.
What a great take on the challenge & a perfect compliment to your layout!
Beautiful pages. Loved how you used the MIM technique. Can't believe I haven't visited before today. Thanks for the inspiration.
Soooo beautiful, not surprised you got a shout out on the PTI Facebook page :) x p.s. I don't think I would have the patience for such a programme either, especially because my children love reading anyway.
Post a Comment