3 Peanuts: I don't know how she does it!

Ha ha! A few people commented or e-mailed asking how I get my kids to all look and smile each year for our Christmas card photos. I had a good laugh at that question and decided to share my secrets. First, Dave gives them the lecture/pep talk. It goes ~~something~~ exactly like this.... (imagine his stern voice) "Okay kids, you know how important good pictures are to Mom. She does a lot for you every single day. This is one thing she asks of you. You know if you all just smile and look at her, we will be done. If not, we will have to go through this all over again until she gets what she wants."

The boys LOATHE our photo sessions so they are all business. They cooperate because they want it done.

Now, how do I/we get the smiles? Potty humor! That is our top secret. Dave stands behind me making faces and potty jokes. As you can imagine, I do not like potty humor. But once or twice or thrice a year, we bring it on to get some good giggles and big smiles. Works every time. So there you have it.

This year, it was stressful. I was trying to get some good shots for my sister, some of my kids and set up some shots manually for her to take of us (which she did very well). It was HOT and we were all hungry. Will propelled Harry off a teeter totter sending him flying into the ground. He got hurt. Tears were shed. Will was scolded. A cuss word might have even been said by a grown up. It wasn't pretty.

When we got to the restaurant just after our photo shoot to eat, my sister snapped this photo of me....

I had been SO stressed that I almost cried. Harry was hurt and in a bitter mood. I was so relieved just to be done with the photos and have a BIG glass of wine and a big glass of water. I think it is my favorite photo. Thanks Dawn. I have a feeling when my kids are in therapy as adults, these "photo Sessions" will come up;)

21 comments:

MCWAugust 29, 2011 at 5:35 PM
My father gave us that exact same lecture growing up and still does. When taking picture of my little nephews a couple of weeks ago what got them to laugh was saying "Bebe (what they call my mom) has a big butt." My mom was not happy, but she got huge smiles!
Hoffman's HideawayAugust 29, 2011 at 5:49 PM
I am cracking up cause that is the same speech my husband gives at Christmas and beach photos. The kids groan and moan all the way there and until we are finished. Seriously is smiling that hard?? They seem to do it all the time when I don't have my camera! Thanks for sharing!
DiJoAugust 29, 2011 at 6:08 PM
You know I love this post!!! Takes me back to the beach just one year ago!!! Thanks again for talking me off the parental ledge in the bathroom that night!! :)

I love seeing you with a glass of chardonnay!! It's really essential after any family photo shoot!!! Wish I had been there to laugh and cry with you!!!!

Miss you!!!

Love,
Di
KathleenAugust 29, 2011 at 6:14 PM
LOL...same here with my kids. I do a photo shoot on the stairs in my house. I used to tell my oldest not to drop his sister when she was little and now I tell him not to strangle her. Christmas pictures are a big project here too. They always get done but everyone dreads them! Glad you were successful!
bluehydrangeaAugust 29, 2011 at 6:43 PM
So glad you shared this picture!! I got such a laugh out of it!! And is that a horn cuff I spy? Love it!! I just got one for a friend and now I think I need one.
The 5 BickiesAugust 29, 2011 at 7:03 PM
So good to hear what it really takes to get those fabulous photos you take every year. Definitely worth it in the end!
the meaklimsAugust 29, 2011 at 7:13 PM
Oh my goodness...I have to tell you, I positively died laughing at Dave's pep talk. I mean it, that is the funniest thing I've heard in a LONG LONG time!!!

Lovely photo of you, Kim.

Jill
DianeAugust 29, 2011 at 8:01 PM
Thank you for this post!! I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that I am not the only one that goes thru EVERYTHING you mentioned. I have been feeling sooooooo guilty for putting my girls thru the whole "photoshoot" thing and have been asking myself "is it really worth it"???
Please tell me it is!!!!LOL!!!

God Bless,
Diane
PaigeAugust 29, 2011 at 8:36 PM
Great post, our families are REAL aren't they haha!
SofieAugust 29, 2011 at 8:58 PM
You are NOT alone. I - myself - have resorted to potty humor more than once. I have gotten some unfortunate looks from shocked adults that have been close enough to hear. Still - the laughs in the photos are worth it.
lizziefitzAugust 29, 2011 at 9:16 PM
I don't know what your talking about. I get all 5 kids 2-17 yrs to smile , make eye contact with the camera and practice their Spanish all on the first take ;) seriously , I look like some kind of baboon jumping up and down to get everyone to look at me and smile . I think I must have worked at a mall portrait studio in a past life? Wine and water , yes please!
crusherAugust 29, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Not exactly...........
It goes something exactly like this.... (imagine his stern voice) "Okay kids, you know how important good pictures are to Mom. She does a lot for you every single day. This is one thing she asks of you. You know if you all just smile and look at her, we will be done. If not, we will have to go through this all over again until she gets what she wants."

More like................... (imagine his [Threatening] voice, teeth clenched, neck veins popping] "Okay kids, you know how important [frilly]pictures are to Mom. She does a lot for you every single day. This is one thing she asks [demands] of you. You know if you all just smile and look at the [&$%*@#] camera, we will be done. If not, we will have to go [through this all over AGAIN until she gets what she wants. [Do you WANT to do this two times, or one time?] [Lets do it right and be done with it!!!] [ I'll do a smack-down of whoever makes us do this AGAIN!!][But not you, Kate][ Just your brothers]"

That's how it really goes. Really. One cuss to make the point, and one threat to create the lovely atmosphere:-)
Dave
Melody LietzauAugust 29, 2011 at 11:07 PM
This made me laugh so hard. I always appreciate how you are always keeping it real. I loathe picture taking as well. Yours really are superb.
KimAugust 29, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Ha! I love it!! Your shots are definitely worth that Texas sized glass of wine :)
VirginiaAugust 30, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Oh, Kim, this photo of you, and Dave's "lecture" made me smile. That IS one good sized glass of wine, and you deserved it.

Gin =)
snekcipAugust 30, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Hilarious!! Great pic of you Kim!

Pass me the wine/water because I have a 1,2,3 and 4yr old (TOGETHER)to capture Christmas pics of!
GlindaAugust 30, 2011 at 12:11 PM
This is one of my favorite posts, evah!

And, may I had, you look mahvelous!

P.S. Are those pearls from China? Love 'em
Football and Fried RiceAugust 30, 2011 at 3:09 PM
I love you, Kim! You crack me up :-)
MarlaAugust 30, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Hahaha, OK, I laughed out loud at this. Funny how cuss words and wine usually accompany our shoots as well. Cute pic! :)
AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 8:15 PM
I have started a therapy jar for Katie & Becky. I put some change in it every time I do something that will probably come up in therapy..I figure it's easier than trying to change my behavior!
Dear LillieSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Haha! I laughed out loud as I read this post! It's nice to know it's such a battle for other families to get photos taken too! Love that last shot of you too. :)