THE PICTURE PROBLEM

I booked an appointment for Brynn and Ethan to get their pictures taken today. The only opening they had available when I called was today @5:20...which isn't the best time for Brynn typically. I did everything I could to be overly prepared - I fed Brynn a good meal, didn't primp her for the photos till the moment we got there and were almost ready to get started, and most importantly, I made sure she took her afternoon nap (which she fought today for some reason). Ethan was a perfect angel. I got him dressed, and he looked perfect as we headed out the door. I asked him to be extra careful to keep his clothes clean for the pictures - so in the car, he wanted to eat some dry cereal and asked for a napkin (which he spread out over his lap), and asked me if I could stop at a stop sign - which I soon figured out was because he wanted me to open his snack. Adorable. This kid is so SO cute.

So, we rush to get to the mall, run by Hanna Andersson to pick up a little pair of pantaloons to go under Brynn's dress, speed walk down to the Picture People studio to be there on time, I change Brynn's clothes, prep her hair (by spraying it with a little water to keep the faux hawk down), and the photographer came out to greet us. Scot even came to meet us so that he could help me choose the pictures. Everything seemed wonderful until we got back there. Brynn was up for her solo shots first. She was kind of cooperative for the first couple shots, but not overly cooperative, and then she lost interest. That's when we brought Ethan in to do some shots of them together (thinking that Ethan might help keep her interested). That worked for about 30 seconds, and then we decided to have Ethan's shots done while we tried to get Brynn to smile (which she typically has no problem doing). Ethan was a dream - perfect smiles, did just what the photographer asked, was totally cooperative & Scot and I were both really excited about his shots. Brynn and Ethan tried for some more shots together - no go. Brynn was done. We waited for the guy to load the pics and select some that he was totally loving - and we waited some more (everyone was getting hungry for dinner by this point), and then 2 photographers came out to tell us that something was wrong with the memory card in the camera and they couldn't access any of our shots. ARE YOU SERIOUS? I now have to take the kids back to get this redone...it's hard enough to get there once and hope for a cooperative duo - but TWICE? Ahhhh. I'll get over it - probably about the time I get back in there for a redo.

The highlight? Scot was trying to help the photographer get Ethan to smile. He had him say Batman (big grin), fireman (big grin) and then Scot busted out the new thing that JD has taught Ethan :

Scot said "What's it all about Ethan?"

to which Ethan replied "The ladies".

I assured the photographer that we had not taught our 3 year old to say that - but I have to admit, it is really funny when he says it. Thanks JD for a good laugh today...I think that made Ethan smile the biggest.