Growing up, I had a mother who got pictures of my brother and I taken every year. Every. Year.
She loaded us up, donned in pretty clothes that she picked out and off to JC Penny’s or Sears we would head. Every year, I would complain. Every year, my brother would complain.
And every year, she swore it was the last time she would do it.
I’m not sure how I forgot how much I hated the whole picture taking process when I had my own kids, but I did.
The transition from child to mom is one that just happened.
Overnight.
I went from hating to have my picture taken and swearing I would never subject my children to the process to being that mom.
Only I took it a step further.
I created shirts and a theme.
And then last week, at the beach, I made them all get together and take a picture.
They went from loving the shirts (when I was making them in the basement) to hating them on the beach.
I put my foot down.
We were taking the pictures.
Darn it! That’s all my mother asked for. Pictures.
And this is what happens when you attempt to get your family together for a family picture. And mom, I’m sorry for the complaining I did back then. I understand now… you were only trying to get pictures for your mother….
Some children won’t be happy.
If a man with a beer in his hand who is struggling to stand up straight offers to take a picture of your whole group (including Thing 1.5) don’t expect the best quality.
Cheer practice happens 24/7 and, in some minds, is more important than a family photo shoot.
If you put bunny ears on your brother….
…you might regret it…
It might look like they aren’t having a good time, but they really are…
…only one child, one time will request a picture that you didn’t have on your shot list…
…and little girls will make it difficult to take pictures…
but in the end?
You do end up with something that your mother might should be happy with….
Not bad for a day’s work…
Until next time…
