Talk about an adventure! We took our Christmas card picture the other day and it was pretty funny. I am so pleased with how it turned out but I realized that getting 5 people to cooperate, especially when 3 are children, is a Christmas miracle!I found that getting everyone dressed in pajamas in the middle of the day brought many questions, "Mommy, why are we getting ready for bed? It's not time to go to sleep. The sun is still out!", and then, " Mommy your silly, we can't wear our jammies in the daytime."
Of course, doing Christmas pictures before Thanksgiving entitles me to questions about decorations coming out early, "Is it Christmas yet?", "Why are we getting the little tree out, I want a big tree like last year!" After MANY questions and a mostly satisfied audience, we set about getting a photographer. We decided that the best way to take a picture of all of us was to give no notice and just start shooting. We grabbed Brian's mom and all sat down in front of the fireplace and little fake tree and said "Start shooting!"
To get all of us looking at the camera at the same time was funny. Being a mom you are constantly trying to get the kids attention while at the same time posing for the picture so that if there is a moment that the kids are looking in the general direction of the camera that we can get a good shot. Of course, the dogs wanted to be in the picture but they don't show up, their black! They are never interested in sitting in our laps until we don't want them too. Getting kids to sit still is fun too. If one is in a good mood, then another is in a bad mood. Poor Leah was woken up for the picture because we had for the most part, happy big girls. Spontaneity was the most beneficial action for us, we couldn't have planned it any better.
I am thankful that we have a family picture, especially since I am hardly ever in a picture. I think most moms can relate. At least I know I have one picture a year that I'm guaranteed to be in!
