Sunday 27 January 2008

Challenge # 9

Scrap A Conversation

Like a fly on the wall, I sat across the room from Lisa and Tori as they worked their way through a set of instructions for assembling a Christmas tree in a box. Between clicks of my digital camera I jotted down bits and pieces of their conversation during the assembly process. Now, when I sit down to scrap those photos I have some 'ready made' journaling ... using their own words.

It can be a chat that you initiate with your child after school, or the exchange between two children playing pretend, or something funny your sister said, or better yet ... a 'discussion' between you and your husband. Whether you use one you have overheard or one you participate in, your challenge is to scrap a conversation.

On this layout I have what Tori said, what Lisa said, and also included some hidden journaling that provides some background . . . setting the scene, if you will . . . from my perspective.

Journaling:

Tori said . . . "Don't move it." "No, Mom, it goes like this!" "Nissa is so smart to bring this to people who go places for Christmas and don't have a Christmas tree." "I don't want any help." No, Mom, if you look at the instructions . . . oh, sorry." "What is the next step?" "Everyone would think this was nonsense." "This is going pretty fast."

Lisa said . . . "Girls read directions. That's why we know how to put things together." "How many sizes are there?" "Don't get mad at me. I'm only trying to help." "Good job!" "Who would think that a tree could come in a box?"

I said . . .Each year before Christmas Santa sends his elf, Nissa, to visit tori to help her countdown to the big day. Being in Hawaii before Christmas didn't matter. Nissa still showed up, much to Tori's surprise and delight. She was thrilled to be able to share all her Hawaii adventures with Nissa. And, having Nissa there made it seem more like Christmas, even though we weren't home in Arizona.

As we expected, Nissa often got into mischief at night when we were all asleep and still left little trinkets and gifts for Tori to discover each morning. One morning, Tori woke to find a Christmas tree in a box. It was interesting to watch Tori and her mom read the directions and work through the process of assembling the brightly colored tree, complete with glittery ornaments. This is how little girls learn how to do things themselves, how things go together, how to become independent big girls . . . taking joy in the process and pride in the results. But, more importantly, share the moment . . . daughter and mom . . . while Nissa watched.

3 comments:

QueenTracy said...

Just wanted to say how much I love this layout...the colors...the design...great work.

Nicole Drewniak said...

I just love all the embellies going on here! Lovely bits and pieces to be discovered each time you look. :0)

Unknown said...

Thanks you guys for your wonderful compliments. It was a fun page to do! The fact that you like it ... well, that's the icing!!