Time for Reflection
A Year in Review
by Jennifer Cooper, posted on December 30th, 2011 in Features
Readers beware: This is a rather self-indulgent post in which I reflect on the year’s events (blog related) and how I changed because of them. Continue at your own discretion…
I boldly christened 2011, the year of play. I figure it’s my blog so why not engage in completely ridiculous acts like that? And for the most part, 2011 was indeed the year of play. I tried new things, made new friends, experimented, found my voice.
I think my takeaway from 2011 is having re-learned a lesson you’d think would be cemented in my brain by now: keep it simple. But when you’re deep in the day-to-day trenches of raising the next generation (or working, or writing a blog, or just trying to get by in this world), it’s hard to maintain perspective.
Highlights
January
We kicked into high playing gear with a string of our most popular posts: marshmallow building, lava lamps and a recipe for polymer. We also tried to start a viral campaign to raise money for clean drinking water with Hot Cocoa stands. Our neighborhood braved the cold and Angie raised a ton of money. (The Beerman family did it again this year and have doubled what they raised last! Click over to donate. Isn’t Angie and her family the best?!). So while the viral campaign didn’t quite take off, good came out of it.
February
It was the month we met play advocate Meg Rosker. It’s also the month I teamed up with Heather Walsh from (cool)progeny to create a series of posts called Tech Thursday. I introduced the ongoing spy school series, inspired by a trip to the famous Spy Museum in Washington DC. I also made my on camera debut when I was interviewed about the toy company I run with my mom and sister.
March
This was the month we produced a commercial for the EBK Crowns. I really love that commercial. March was also the month my make-n-play piece made it into Anorak Magazine! I ran to every Borders and Barnes and Noble in the area to scoop up Anorak’s Outdoor Issue. March also played host to my first real opinion piece on Classic Play.
April
I held a tiny hats contest with some success. I appeared on momfilter for the first time and showed you guys a vintage car party we threw. We met Chris O’Shea. It’s also the month I joined pinterest (cue: angels singing)
May
May was a big month for me. Classic Play appeared on Daily Candy Kids, we went to Robot Fest and it was our first foray into weekending posts.
June
In June, we released our only issue of the year: Movies. We also released our first short film, which I’m quite proud of still. I was back on momfilter and we threw a Man vs. Wild party. I tried another giveaway, this time with shrinky dinks which would eventually lead to the great Robot experiment. We met OWTK’s Jeff Bogle. After that interview, I got an idea for a series of family interviews.
July
This month I ratcheted up the post writing. Virtual Summer Science Camp was one of the most popular posts of the year. It was also the month I launched the Creative Family Series. I think the most important thing that happened this month though was a pivotal shift in opening up to you. I didn’t necessarily realize it at the time, but on some level I felt that if I was asking other families to share of themselves (creative family series) it was only fair to share more about mine. I needed to be a little more fearless. The Leaping post helped set that into motion.
August
August was a month of pure fun. We made the Walkie Talkie Dictionary just to be silly. It continues to be one of the biggest searches that bring people here. I featured my friend’s amazing Harry Potter party. I wrote about teeshirts, and paper cars. I share some random tidbits and scenes from our family vacation. I asked what’s wrong with being a girl? And I started the great Robot deployment that would later lead to awarding kids around the world intergalactic peace prize medals.
September
Things started to settle down in September as the kids went back to school and we said goodbye to summer. I opened up about the state of our home and showed you our work in progress. I wrote about our family field trip to a place that holds a special place in our hearts. And the kids and I kicked it old school with fortune tellers and some rounds of Rock Paper Scissors.
October
October was a month of adventure. We visited block parties, went apple picking, and made up spy games. Dave and I went off to NYC for a weekend get-away. I created a virtual art gallery for my son. We threw a photography party and had our biggest giveaway ever.
November
Looking back on the not too distant November art, beauty and capturing moments themes emerge. The cooking with kids segment got a new look. We took some time to appreciate the beauty of fall with a walk in the woods. And I shared our family philosophy on Adventuring.
December
December—as I write this—has been a month of laying low and waxing nostalgic. I experimented with books—both making them and transforming them. I tried my hand at writing longer essays about my childhood. And I opened up about my holiday card denial, which apparently, many of you can relate to.
…
During a long leisurely meal in a warm cozy restaurant:
In unison: “I’m bored.”
“What have we said about whining?”
“That it’s the worst sound in the world?”
“Exactly.” Pauses, then “Wait! I have something.” Rifles through bag, takes out a notebook. Flips open to a blank page. Writes 2012 at top. Draws a box around it for extra emphasis. “Let’s talk about what we want to happen in 2012.”
“I want to have a sleep over!”
“I want to get a new catch phrase!”
“I want to write a book.”
“I want to start my photo project.”
…
Happy New Year Everyone! Wishing you and yours health, happiness and prosperity in 2012.
