So, against my better judgement I took the 3 kids to have their pics taken today. I don't really get "Christmas" pictures done but I do include pictures in many Christmas cards we send-- I just like people to feel like they can display them year round without feeling tacky. Anyway, 2 of them were goopy, chapped messes from colds they've had for a few days now and 1 had a nice cut on her cheek. I spent $10 on make-up to cover it since I don't wear it myself. We bought a box of candy canes which is mostly broken thanks to my daughter who insisted on carrying them and proceeded to use the box as a band drum as she marched throughout the store. I did manage to find 3 that weren't shattered for the kids to hold in one of the poses. That purchase was a waste as well since I didn't choose to print any of those poses and most of the remaining canes are broken.
During the actual sitting, Elle and Anne were for the most part cooperative-- Elle continuously ate cheerios while we loaded praises on Anne for being so "good". That seemed to keep them both happy. My son however, oh my goodness... he really does know when he can get away with something. At first he would have absolutely nothing to do with it. No way was he going to sit this way or lay his arm that way. The poor photographer-- thankfully a friend of mine, had to try her best to get some good shots. However, the more upset Drew got the messier and more difficult the pictures became. His eyes were puffy, watering and red enough to match his nose and cheeks and his nose just got runnier and runnier. Then it became this ever-so-delicate balance of discipline while trying to keep him from looking any worse. Even talking up the fact that he got to eat the candy cane after wasn't helping. Phew. As much as I wanted to reschedule, I'm so glad I didn't because now its done!