Here’s a fun fact: my Mom is a scrapbooker. She’s a serious scrapbooker. She’s got the paper cutters, the corner choppers, the fancy albums and colorful background paper… there are stickers…. so so many stickers. She’s for real. Scrapbooking is the new rubber stamping. Remember the rubber stamp craze!? Yea, we’ve moved on. Scrapbooking.
I went to my parents’ house a few days ago to find these envelopes gracing the brick fireplace. The envelope in front had my name on it. I was hoping for an early Christmas stocking. Boy oh boy did I get it. Among other darling and embarrassing photos of myself, I found a chronological history of my school days. From preschool to high school. Every cute, awkward and downright horrifying picture.
Now. Because I don’t know any better. Because I’m certifiably batty… allow me to share with you preschool through seventh grade. The later, more awkward years will follow, and we’ll all cry.
Though she will deny it, my Mom gave me this haircut herself. I remember very well. Even at four, I knew how ridiculous I looked.
First grade. Somehow I think I rise above this bowl haircut.
Second grade. That tiny headband is failing…. big time. Nice frock. I would totally rock that these days. Is that weird? That’s weird.
Nice corner fading third grade! I feel like there are some serious adult teeth hiding out in that mouth.
Oooh yes. Full of teeth. You have to grow into your teeth. It’s true. It’s like puppies with big paws. Should I tell you how much I loved this Cinco de Mayo dress with matching hair ribbon? Yes. A lot.
Mixed girl hair is a hard thing. It wants to be curly. It wants to be straight. It wants to ruin your life. What are you going to do? Button your shirt all the way up and hope for the best.
a) Why do the school photographers make you look in the ceiling corner. It’s awkward.
b) I thought this shirt was so clever. I was right.
Oooh Joy . Triangle hair. So short. So much volume. I wish I could have gone back in time to tell you everything would work out ok… but the truth is that you’ve got some seriously awkward years ahead of you. Yeesh.
Enjoy the kitchen intermission. Laugh at me. Please… go on… laugh. If your Mom is a scrapbooker, you might not want to laugh as hard. Your time for an embarrassing envelope will come.
Sunita
Awww, tgose are really precious photos!And yes, we all have ‘those’ photographs :-)
Charlene
OMGoodness, I was thinking the same thing about the corner stare. What were they thinking? And yes, the shirt was clever, but tell me, were you wearing the paton leather shiny lace ups? lol Trust we all have those pictures hidden somewhere under a floorboard to avoid situations like this. Unfortunately, my aunt like to hang hers on the wall of her stairs for all to see. I can still see that ugly apartment carpet looking background and that flip to the side that should have never happened. Thanks for sharing. Personally you adorable in the striped teddy bear photo.
Aimee
They are 100% awesome, really. That Cinco de maya dress? Love it. You are just too precious and those blue eyes of yours really shine through.
I had the big teeth too. Think I finally grew into them in my 20’s
esther kim
Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing :D
JamTown
“Button your shirt all the way up and hope for the best.” that is hilarious and quotable.
Deanna
You are seriously adorable in every single picture. I love seeing the progression. And Jr high age is just a hard time in life for everyone! You rocked it well.
Shauna from Piece of Cake
Oh, I wish I could hug you! You are hysterical. And oddly, my triangle hair showed up at about the same time, though it was self-inflicted by excessively perming my naturally stick-straight hair. And with the huge turquoise circle earrings, the whole look really did wonders for my round face. Excellent.
Brook
Oh I love it!! This was such a trip down memory lane. Those outfits and hair styles must have been required back in the day because I rocked some that were very similar. Impressed you had the courage to share.
Casey
Bravo for sharing your elementary school pictures. I am not NEAR that brave. That preschool picture is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen… Mom’s haircut & all!
Kaye
Love this post! So funny…reminds me of MY grade school pictures :)
Jen
Adorable Joy! I love looking back at old pix…i always remember asking my mom, how could you let me wear that? The 70s/80s were a “fun” time…Thanks for sharing your pix.
Allison
Oh these are great! Mostly because it reminds me of my own late-80s, early-90s fashion disasters. And I’m right there with you on the half curly, half straight hair conflict. It was The Haircut Of Fourth Grade that contributed to the demise of my semi-straight hair and plumetted me into years of battling with my hair dryer.
Thats probably more than you needed to know about my hair issues. Just wanted to return the favor and say thanks for sharing! :)
TinaFromTexas
Thanks for sharing! This is awesome! You’re so brave!
Sushi Girl
Wow Joy! I see I am not the only one who couldn’t outrun her mother running with scissors :o) I am older then you and had ‘the pixie cut’ the prelude to the mullet I think. At least you were allowed to pick out your own clothes! My mom made all of mine, including the baby blue corduroy hot pants overalls with the hand curled Xmas ribbon for a hairband. I grew into my teeth but not my nose :o)
jonquil
my mom is more of an archivist than a scrapbooker. photos i save (lucky enough to have a 1918 photo of maternal side). school paperwork i got rid of–no point in hauling it around. my paternal side never had the wherewithal or inclination to document anything.