PICTURE DAY!

I need a little break from the heavier discussions. 

Interesting - both "Mommy" and "Mini-Me" decided to have pictures of my grandchildren done on Saturday.  Because she lives closer, I went with "Mini-Me" to lend an extra pair of hands.  The memories came flooding back.  Now I know I am aging because when my children were born, their hospital photos consisted of a blue or pink blanket depending on whether they were male or female and a quick photo that made them look like little monkeys because the picture was taken right after they got drops in their eyes.  I don't care what anyone says, those pictures were not cute.  But we bought them anyway and handed them out proudly didn't we?!

First official pictures were never taken until around six weeks.  At that time photographers just didn't do that.  Now, we like to get pictures in two weeks or less.  Babies are posed in cute things like bowls and baskets and are often naked. A newborn without a diaper is cute and potentially messy.  I am amazed at how the photos come out - and a little jealous. 

So I went with my daughter to help.  Wait - no one ever helped me!!!. Imagine this scenario.  Six small children ages 6 months to 11 years.  The 11 year old is a perfectionist and needs to look perfect.  Oh yes, she wants to hold the "Surprise".  As "Mommy" it is her entitlement.  But wait, "Calvin"  who is all energy and motion wants to hold the "Surprise".  The "Surprise" is a boy and should be held by his brother, not a girl!  "Mini-Me" and the "Blonde"  are indifferent to the whole thing and "Pook" is not interested in not being muddy or unable to play for that period of time.  So, I finally handle the dispute by giving in. "You will both have pictures taken holding the "Surprise"." 

To some degree, you want them to be dressed nicely for pictures.  That can be accomplished without too much fanfare.  The girls are of course anxious to be "dolled up" and very cooperative.  "Calvin" and "Pook" are placed in nice clothes but promptly become half naked and/or sloppy multiple times enroute to the studio.  Thankfully at this point, the "Surprise" is somewhat compliant due to age or lack thereof. 

"Doc" has often said that those group photos are more a statement about me than how beautiful our family is.  The ability to corral six children, get them into dress clothes, get them to a studio without a fight or a black eye and then have them smile in a perfectly photogenic way is no small feat.  By the way, I gave up on the perfect picture when "Calvin" was born.  He was rough and tumble and if I waited for bruises and scrapes to go away we would never have had a photo of him.  I also gave in on facial expressions - if that's what they want to look like for posterity, so be it.  It is what it is.

All in all, we have some stunning family photos that were taken throughout the years.  I would like to think that the family love always shined through. Others would say, I should have been a drill sergeant if I was able  As for me, the kids looked great but I was always disheveled and near tears and definitely ready for a relaxing glass of wine when all was said and done.