Especially since my last post was pretty heavy I thought I would keep things light today and add some humor…so let’s talk about the latest Facebook status updates that I’ve been reading lately which are kind of annoying. Alright, I take that back. They are kind of obnoxious. Really? Your marriage is that wonderful? And your kids? That perfect? And you, you are THAT happy?
Seriously.
Let’s get real.
Like you really enjoyed bringing your two year-old kid to see Santa today and the entire afternoon was absolutely picture perfect. Let’s take a moment to reflect on what really went down…
Basically, you stood in line for over an hour trying to keep your toddler entertained as your child pulled on the rope, cried out of boredom and asked 5,000 times if it was time to go yet. You also heard the words hungry and thirsty 127 times. THEN, once you got up to that magical moment your kid was either was too scared to sit on Santa’s lap or actually cried the moment the photo was snapped – and you? You were stuck paying $35 for a lame photo for Grandma and a key-chain you’ll never use. Oh, but yes, it was still SO awesome, right?
My other favorite is the portrait studio trip for the infamous holiday card. Anyone that tells you they fully enjoy bringing their children to get photos taken is a total liar. I seriously want to meet the very mothers who actually receive pure joy from this event.
I’ve been THAT mom sweating in the photo shoot juggling snacks, bottles and 9,000 other things {to again, keep the kids entertained throughout this all-day-no-end-in-sight-event} and after a long and grueling afternoon, my kids are done and so am I. They are cranky, tired and totally just want to go home but *I* have the pleasure of trying to control them with one eye as the other eye peers through nearly 100 lame proofs – all in the midst of doing this with 9 million other moms and their lovely kids on the same day in the same small studio.
Two words?
Fun times.
So my solution for the above situation is easy. We visit Santa on his “off” hours. Knowing his schedule in advance, we go early on a weekday morning so we end up only waiting about five minutes. Then when we get to that magical moment we snap 5,000 of our own photos and pass on the package that they offer. We always end up with better shots and then we don’t have to even think about that lame keychain. Total win-win and Grandma ends up happy, too.
As for the holiday cards? I refuse to go to a portrait studio again. My portrait days are over until my kids are like, twelve. Instead, I dress my kids up in the comfort of my own home and I snap away with my digital camera for about 15 minutes. I always end up with at least one good photo to use and then I use a company like Tiny Prints to make it look oh-so-spectacular. Easy peasy. No lines. No tantrums. No mess. And I end up with great cards.
So, while you are waiting in line to see Santa to spend a fortune on that awesome key chain or perhaps you are sweating it out at the portrait studio wrangling your kids who are literally pulling your hair out…
You’ll find me sipping some wine at home while listening to Christmas music, uploading the photo for our perfect holiday card and smiling – as I update my Facebook status.
Ha!! Love it! So . . . this may not pass by Miss Manners, but I’ve put our family on an every other year schedule for holiday cards. That’s right. Every other year. I feel a little bad when I’m opening everyone else’s, but I also sort of feel like saying “Suckers!”
So funny! We also “visit” Santa in the early morning hours, but we are more like Santa stalkers since nether of my kids wants to sit on his lap and I refuse to make them. Grandma will live! Tiny Prints is my favorite…I send them any photo that’s even marginally good and it ends up looking great…love it!
Yup – no santa shots and no studio shots for us either. Although I always buy what the school offers, even when my son had food on this face. Okay, I know I’m a rubbish mom for sending him to school that way, but couldn’t ya at least check if all is well before snapping?
Heather, say it loud, say it proud!!!! I could not agree more. Adored this post.
Fun post! I also do not do a portrait studio for xmas cards anymore. We did the first year when our son was nine months. I think you can find even better pics from throughout the year and go with a Walgreens type order – so much cheaper and more authentic. I have a montage of pics on my card this year, that include, my son’s face covered in orange cheet-o residue, my husband holding the carving knife and Thanksgiving and looking crazy, etc. Funny pics!
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You are so right about facebook status…………my sister in law who I love dearly always says ……how wonderful everything is and I always think ” Really”.
The last time my daughter took my grandson to have his pictures made it was a distaster…..he ending up crying. I think at 4 they just don’t like their pictures taken sometimes.