Summer Surprise

Summer memories are made through experiencing fun new things with the entire family. Many of us fondly remember looking out the window of our family car wondering what adventures were awaiting us at the next pit stop on the road. The summer vacation has long been the tradition of many families. After all, with the kids out of school and the weather at its best, why not plan a surprise getaway. It doesn't have to be far, just some place special and fun for everyone. Just tell your kids and spouse not to make any plans for a specific weekend and keep the rest to yourself. Some fun weekend getaways inlcude a visit to the beach, camping or a them park. Make this an annual summer family tradition and be sure to put photos in your summer vacaion memory book.

My Once Upon a Family Story

I attended a Once Upon a Family Celebration (party) in February of 2004. I knew before the end of the Celebration that this was something I was going to do. I think my sponsor knew it too. I stayed after and talked about the company. When I got home, I told my husband that I had to do this! I wasn’t sure what he would think -- he had seen me involved in other companies and knew how they worked. He was blown away with the company’s literature and how well done things were, considering the early stage of the companies growth. We knew that Once Upon a Family was truly a special company and that I had to be a part of it.

I have been married to my husband James for twenty years. We have a wonderful son, Hunter who is six years old. When I became pregnant with my son, I was able to leave the normal office environment and started an office in my house. Even though I was able to “work from home”, I still had trouble “working” and being a ‘mom’ as I truly wanted to be. Once Upon a Family has allowed me to work and be that mom. It has allowed me to connect with others and talk about what is really important!

Once upon a Family has become my passion. I have never been happier with any other “job”. Even as “life” has happened for me, the flexibility has allowed me to do those important things with my family and still keep up with my OUAF business. When you find something that is right for you – it really works.

Being a Once Upon a Family consultant was me, something I had been looking for. It allowed me to make memories through traditions with my family. I had found something that simplified all that I wanted to do – no pressure to create stuff, but just to do things that mattered with my family. It has become a way of life for my family: my son expects that we celebrate life and even wanted to know what we were doing special for “Ground Hog” day! He has recently learned to exhibit “Courage” with the tools that I have found with Once Upon a Family. It was amazing how a little “courage” box and “keys” of courage encouraged him to overcome his fear.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to become an Honorary Founder with Once Upon a Family. To be a part of the beginning of a great company will be something cherished for years to come. I am pleased to be a part of the legacy of family and sharing that is being built.

Summer Memory Book

On the first day of school every year, children are always expected to recount what they did during the summer. This year help your child share their fun summer experiences with a Summer Memory Book. It is a wonderful way to document places they have visited, books they read or fun activities they did with friends or family. Start by giving them a disposable camera to capture special moments that you might miss and direct them to collect in a box anything that they can use to tell a story about what they did. This can be things like ticket stubs for movies or concerts, sea shells from the beach or flowers they picked while out exploring. Each month sit down with them and create a new page in the book for different experiences. Paste photos, collected items and write a brief synopsis of what they did. This is a great tradition you can repeat every year. Just think of all the happy memories that you will collect over the years.

I am back in Town

I have been out this week, am back in town, so look for some new posts shortly!

The Great Recipe Swap

July is a great month for Family Reunions. Here’s an idea to make your next gathering even more memorable. Every family has a treasure trove of valuable family recipes, just waiting to be shared with extended family. This is the true essence of how we promote family traditions and help future generations capture the love we share during holidays or everyday. Include one of our CHERISHED FAMILY RECIPE CARDS in every reunion invite you send out. Ask each family member to mail back the recipe card with their favorite family recipe 1 month prior to the reunion. When you receive all the recipes, make one set of copies for each family member. Include the recipe collection in the reunion information packet or use as a farewell gift. Use our RECIPE BOX to keep all the originals for yourself.

Summer Vacation - Etched Memories

'Leave your family's mark at every place you visit. While on vacation, find a spot to creatively write the location, and the year of your trip (Mexico 2002, or Hawaii 2005.) Take a picture of your family next to this inscription. If you go to the beach, write it in the sand. If you are on a camping trip, write it with sticks or rocks. If you are vacationing near the snow, use your shovel to leave your mark. You can always adorn it with tropical flowers, seashells, leaves from local plants, or pinecones. Get creative and remember...do not go home without your treasured destination photo! Place the photos in a special album to record all your family's exciting adventures.'

We a going to have to do this on our Hawaii trip! We did A State sign one time on a Road trip - that was fun. Everytime we would cross a State Border we would run out and stand by Entering sign and take a picture. But can you image flowers writing out the year on a Black Sand or Green Sand Beach in Hawaii! I love the idea of doing a consitant thing on every trip -- we (I) have been collecting Sand for years -- I have been gathering (finding) all those bags somewhere in my stuff and am beginning to put in glass bottles and make tags to tie to the top. I always bring ziplocs in my suitcase when I travel -- you just never know when you need a plastic bag! Now I am going to keep a sharpie with it so that I can write on the bag where I amand the year when I collect the sand -- it is a pain to remember years later where that sand was from. Oh yea, If I had just put in the bottle with the tag when I got home, I would haven't to remember. My plan for this upcoming trip.

Summer Vacation - Cast Away your Worries

Summer is a time to be carefree. More often than not, we adults tend to be bogged down by little things that really don't matter, or big things we can't change. Children, especially, should not be burdened with worries beyond their control. This tradition is a great way for all of us to learn to let go of what troubles us and enjoy the precious time we have together. On the last day of school, or as you are preparing to take off for the family's summer vacation, have everyone write down something that worries them. Whatever it is that bothers us, once it is down on paper, it's easier to let go. To celebrate this, roll up your "worries" and tie them with a ribbon. Have everyone toss their worries over their shoulder.

July Newsletter

The July Newsletter is out. If you haven't receieved a copy you may view it at:
http://www.mynewsassistant.com/OUAF/jul/index.php/cid/Jana_Long

Summer Vacation - Sand Collection

Collect sand from all the beaches that you visit over the years. Don't forget to grab a few shells or a piece of coral, they will add a beautiful splash of color to your display. If camping is your family's passion, dirt/rocks will do just fine. You'll be surprised at the variety of colors and textures you will find. When you return home from your trip, fill a glass bottle with your souvenirs. An eclectic mix of different shaped and sized glass bottles will add to the uniqueness of your collection. Attach a small tag to the bottle explaining where the sand or dirt is from and display the collection of memories in your home for all to see. This simple tradition will become an important part of every summer vacation.

See Small glass bottles and a Summer album Here

Fourth of July -- Red, White & Blue Only

Create a neighborhood tradition and organize a potluck that no one will want to miss. Invite all your family and friends to this casual party and give them each a food assignment. Include all the necessary foods for a successful celebration, and don't forget to mention that everything must be RED, WHITE, AND/OR BLUE. Foods of any other color will not be permitted, so your guests will have to get creative. Year after year, people will invent more outrageous recipes. Just seeing what clever dishes everyone comes up with is more fun than actually eating them. Add to the festivities by having a contest for the most original dish, and be sure to take a photo of the patriotic champion with his/her prize-winning recipe in hand.

Summer Vacation - Postcards From?

Every family trip should include a stop at the local post office. Have each family member select a postcard and write a funny story or describe an exciting adventure, then send it home. These postcards will become your traveling journal and will remind you of all the fun times you enjoyed while away. The postcards do no have to come from far away or exotic places, it makes no difference whether it comes from Grandma's house or Tahiti. Save these postcards and vacation photos n your Summber Album to keep thos pricelss memories alive.