The Kindergarten Test

This is a layout that I wanted to do so that when my daughter, Hayley grows up, we can go back and look at this very BIG day in our family. It is not necessarily one of my works of art but for this time I really wanted to focus on the emotions of this day for our family. So I opted not to go overboard with it and let the journaling speak for itself. Including Hayley's drawing was an afterthought that seemed to just top off the whole intention of my layout. The funny thing is I have been getting so many comments out there that I am a bit overwhelmed - comments are great but the kind things that have been said about being a mom, my daughter and just everyone "feeling" for Hayley was just unexpected but so very touching. I plan to print everything and keep them for Hayley - one day she will have a daughter of her own and will feel the same way I did on that "big" day.

Journaling reads:I have been waiting patiently for you and your sister to be at the same school, so I was very excited to see that testing for next year’s kindergarten class was to begin in February. However, you weren’t as excited and told us that you decided to stay at your daycare. So we had lots of talks about why school is important and took you to Amy’s school to get you used to the teachers and campus. On the BIG day, we all drove happily to St. Joseph’s – you were all dressed in a cute little dress and shoes you picked out – and decked out in your sister’s “best” jewelry and lip gloss. You skipped right up to the door and when Sister Mary came to greet you, you just lost it! You clung to my side crying and finally it was decided that Amy could go with you but she would have to stand outside the door. Still that didn’t seem to appeal to you because I could still hear you crying from the next room. Sister Mary finally agreed to let Amy sit in the test with you and that seemed to do it. Fifteen minutes later, you came out holding a pencil from Ms. Lupe in one hand and a tissue in the other. My heart broke seeing how sad you were but I reached out and hugged you and told you how proud I was of you. We walked silently to the car when I remembered that we didn’t take a picture of you on your BIG day. I looked down at your little sad face and asked you about it. You were quiet and then said with a small sniffle – “Not today Mom.” I smiled and understood that sometimes we don’t need a picture to remember the BIG moments in our lives.

Credits:- "Wonderland" kit created by Jan Crowley- flower brush by Kristy Nerness- artwork by Hayley Marie Vasquez, age 5- scraplift idea from Melissa Chapman in CK magazine