Just Shoot Me!

December is a busy month here at the McResidence. For that reason, I try to get a jump-start on the busy holiday season by having our annual family Christmas picture taken before December rolls around and I’m left wondering if I’m coming or going. So, it usually makes sense for us to do Halloween pictures, change clothes, and then do a Christmas picture. 

One of the most difficult parts of the process is trying to decide how best to portray the McGang for this year’s pictorial event. If you’ve spent any time at all around here, you know that I am a tad bit anal about most things and therefore spend more time than necessary on the smallest of details. Details that will not matter three seconds after our Christmas card – picture – letter is received. Still, I put a butt-load of thought into the entire Christmas card process.

Last year’s picture was taken in a studio and the end result took less than twenty minutes. Which worked out well because we had two kids under the age of four.

And McDaddy. 

McDaddy would rather have a tooth pulled than have his picture taken, but he has been with me long enough to know that it is easier to just do it rather than listen to me whine and complain. 

This year there was a small glitch. 

The glitch is approximately 40 inches tall and weighs about 38 pounds. He also has a newfound opinion about his wardrobe, along with an even bigger opinion about his shoe collection. 

Clearly, he is his mother’s son. 

I dressed the boys in jeans and coordinating sweaters. The glitch was determined to wear his ‘Bob the Builder’ boots. I guess looking back on it, I should have given in. At the time, however, my OCD self couldn’t stand the thought of those goofy, non-matching, Bob The Builder boots sticking out  from Alex’s pants knowing that I would only have myself to blame every single time I looked at that picture over the next twenty years wondering why I ever allowed him to wear those boots. This boot decision did not sit well with my little man and any chance at getting a decent picture went right out the window.

That is, until I remembered a king size bag of M&Ms in the snack basket.

Pay dirt!

Who knew a king size bag of M&Ms would be such a great form of behavior modification. We headed out to our back deck which provided the backdrop for this year’s picture and I kid you not, the photographer (McDaddy’s brother-in-law) snapped continuous pictures for less than three minutes. During the three minutes I silently prayed and gritted my teeth hoping that my BIL gets at least one good shot.

One good shot that includes both kids looking at the camera, McDaddy’s big brown peepers open and only one of my chins.

I don’t ask for much.

Just shoot me! 

Another McFamily Christmas picture is on the books. All things considered it turned out so much better than I expected. My boys are generally cooperative when taking pictures and I am thankful for that. It helps that our personal photographers are so patient and attentive to our boys and my quirks opinions. My in-laws own Hinamon Studios and they are awesome photographers. If you live in the Charleston area, I’m sure they would be thrilled to shoot your next pictorial event. 

You may also want to insure your kiddos approve of their wardrobe.

And that you’ve stocked up on M&Ms.

If you are a recipient of our annual Christmas letter, act surprised when it arrives in the mail.

And don’t you just love this creation by my fabulous, creative sister-in-law…. 

Tagged as: Alex, inlaws, McDaddy, Quirks, Shoes, Stevie