Last Friday we breakfasted, bathed, dressed, and combed the hair of two kids and ourselves in record time.
The boys were on excellent behavior. They ate in a reasonable time (are your kids really slow eaters?). They were happy to take a quick bath. They didn’t fuss about their clothes.
Mark and I were also on excellent behavior. No wardrobe malfunctions. I actually liked my jeans and jacket. Mark’s sleeves were the right length (you’d be surprised how often this is an issue – the man is hard to fit off the rack).
All in all, it was one of those easy, successful mornings. Part of the reason I’m writing this now is because that rarely happens. I want a record of it. Once we were all clean, shiny, happy people we headed off to our photographer’s studio for this year’s family photos.
Cut to one hour later.
You know the Bill Cosby bit from the Himself album, the one about Jeffrey’s mother on the airplane? The one about how this woman gets on the plane looking polished and by the time she gets off the plane, after wrestling her preschooler up and down the aisles for hours, her hair is disheveled and she looks hagard?
Yep. That was us.
Our four year old was a champ as long as the focus was on him. The minute we tried to get pictures of his brother, or worse with us and his brother, H became Captain Whiny Pants (his super hero name, by the way). And P? Don’t even get me started. My giggly, goofy toddler who loves to ham it up apparently traded bodies with a very surly, angry kid. P wanted no part of holding still and smiling for the camera.
Thankfully our photographer is a miracle worker and magician. I haven’t seen all of the pictures yet, but the two I saw are amazing – the kids look like their normal, happy selves. There is no sign of Captain Whiny Pants or his trusty sidekick, Cranky Pants.
I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures, even the ones where P is trying to push H off of a bench and H is hugging my neck just a tad too tight. I have a feeling the pictures will capture our boys’ personalities – the good, the bad, and the cranky – perfectly.
Before I get to the Wonder Why Wednesday question, I’m just going to put a plug out there for our miracle worker photographer. If you are in the Austin area and plan to do pictures of your kids or your family, contact Robin right away! Click here for more.*
So… here’s what I wonder today:
Why, why do I expect my kids to suddenly be mature, little adults at picture time? Why do I stress about coordinating outfits and fuss over hair?
Next year, we’re all putting on our favorite outfits and going as we are to capture the kids in all their busy, wiggly glory!
*Lest you think this was a paid post, I was in no way compensated by Robin Winkles Photography. I’m singing her praises because she’s great, not because she’s paying me to do so. She doesn’t even know I’m writing this!
*********************************************************************************
UPDATE/POST ADDENDUM
Sorry this post is so late. I once again had scheduling issues. Clearly, there is some user error going on here! This was supposed to auto post this morning, and – obviously – it didn’t. But it’s still Wednesday, so I’m rolling with it.
Lapsed homemaker. Looking to hire a full-time housekeeper who will work for the sheer joy of a job well done and free coffee. Interested parties, DM please. 
I had to laugh when I read this. Picture day with my kids always and still does stress me out. They are now in high school and college:) Having them together at the same time is the big stressor now along with the whines of I don’t want to go:) One of my best memories is of my DD who was 18 months at the time and would NOT wear her cute shoes with her cute little outfit. I begged her and she would not, my grandmother was there and said leave them off. It is not only one of my fave pics now, but it always reminds me of my grandmother who passed away a few years ago.
@ZippyChix, I love that story! The real pictures are usually some of the sweetest. And the reminder of your grandmother – that is absolutely something precious!
My apologies for the slow reply. I’m usually quicker, but last week was a bit nuts! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting. š
I admire your attempt to get a group family picture. I still have trouble getting my daughter to pose on her own.
@Rudri Patel, I hear you! I have one who poses and one who runs… each difficult in his own way. It’s such an adventure.
I’m sorry about the slow reply to your comment. Iām usually quicker, but last week was a bit nuts! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting.
“Why, why do I expect my kids to suddenly be mature, little adults at picture time? Why do I stress about coordinating outfits and fuss over hair? ”
Because we are just a little bit insane and love to let our kids test our patience. Seriously. I don’t know why I think D1 can control her energy just b/c of social norms she’s completely unaware of or couldn’t care less about.
So we decided to go w/ outdoor shoots from now on. š
So true! So far Ava’s photo shoots have gone perfectly, until I said that to the photographer at her nine-month shoot, and it was OVER for us after that. Princess Fussypants (A’s superhero name!) came out in full force, and I now have a framed memento of her screaming and crying. Oops.
Oh, don’t even get me started about family picture taking! ;0) I have had a child puke in the middle of Sears portrait studio, had a child have a complete poopy blowout (of legendary proportions) on the way to get pictures taken and I’ve had pics taken in the middle of the produce section at Sam’s Club (where we also had to change into old-fashioned garb in a ‘shower-stall’ type contraption. We rarely get family photos taken anymore. I know I’ll regret it one day, but I always ask myself, “Am I up for this again?” The answer: A resounding No! ;0)
I think the “true” photos are often the best. They look like family. I’m sure they’ll be great.
You did it! You survived the family photo! My theory about why we stress about it so much goes back directly to PDP – or Public Display of Parenting. It’s a performance for the photographer – and for the holiday card that all the world will see and admire. I do it too!! In fact, our photo day is on Saturday. PRAY FOR US! Let’s hope Captain Whirling Dervish takes a brake that day. š
I LOVE Bill Cosby, I know exactly the segment you speak of. And, life as a parent is so up and down. One moment can change the mood of everything!
http://www.pampersandpinot.com
It’s always so hard getting the family ready for a photo but once you do…it’s usually always worth it!
I still have to schedule ours š
@Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom), I THINK it was worth it. Ha. The pictures of the boys actually turned out amazing and I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable that she was able to get good shots out of them!
So sorry about the slow response – the week got away from me. š
We don’t do whole family professional photos because I look like a goober in them. I’m always so concerned with getting my daughter to smile, I end up looking like a wreck.
No more! I’ll snapfish enlarge some every day pictures before I go through that again.
Hope yours turn out lovely and that your able to make next year a better experience!
I don’t know what’s wrong with YOUR kids because MINE are ALWAYS well behaved. Especially during photo shoots.
Seriously. That’s why most of the pictures I take of them only show half their faces or blurred face shots. See? Easy peasy.
So true!! Strangely, my daughter is the worst! My son is a rock-star picture taker and my daughter runs about and covers her face! I do like the professional shots, but truth be told we all know they never look like that — matching, posed and spit-shined!
It was great to meet you in Austin!!