Well, almost. Josh bought a cut the line pass since we learned our lesson the hard way last year. Flashback to 2010, we stood at a standstill with a rambunctious 2 year-old and a screaming 5 month old only to watch the line next to us fly by. After 30 minutes of not moving I abandoned all hope and assumed that this was a sign that pictures are not "our thing." As most parents of little ones, we're constantly learning so it seemed that the cut the line pass, coupled with the fact we're early risers, would result in a quick and easy photo. As Josh said, "this shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. In and out." That was only partially true. There was only a short line for us "cutters" but we still had a good 20 minute wait. Ethan was so excited. Josh had coached him on what to say and what he should ask for. Here we are a couple minutes in...
The scene quickly deteriorated from there. Everett isn't much of a "stroller guy" so he needed to get out immediately. I don't carry my diaper bag much anymore and didn't really have anything to entertain him. Then, in a total amateur move, I didn't bring any food. Guess who did? The lady in front of us who was doling out yogurt bites like they were infused with crack. Everett lost it. He was lunging and screaming and carrying on in such a manner that I almost ran out. But then I realized we had already spent money on the pictures (hence the cheater pass) and there was no turning back (clever sales trick.) We crept forward in line and watched a few other melt downs until it was finally our turn. I had Everett in some weird sort of half Nelson by this point and was so relieved to reach the front of the line, that is, until the woman in charge informed me that she needed to let someone from the "regular" line go. Oh, by all means! Let that sweet, quiet, polite 6 year-old in front of us. Clearly, you enjoy the screams of a one year old and don't want to let us leave. We waited for the photographer to change printer paper. Then, we waited while Santa stretched his legs (he is getting up there in years you know.) Everett was still thrashing in my arms until he saw that big red suit. I'm not sure if the halo of light shining down was coming from the skylight or was really a ray of hope, but Everett actually stopped his fit long enough to catch a glimpse. I thought we had made it. We would hold it together long enough to get this pic and run. Well, as they say, a picture says a thousand words...
That's right. We paid $22 or two 5 x 7's of this:
Three quick clicks later and I rescued Santa from my child. While I consoled Everett and chose which screaming pose was my favorite, Ethan finally had a chance to chat up the big guy. "I've been good and I would like a scary skeleton mask." Yep, after all that, Ethan asks for a Halloween costume. Luckily, Santa has incredible foresight and already ordered it on Cyber Monday with free shipping. I was scooped up by Megan to take on Toys R Us and Josh stuffed the kids with grease from the food court and threw them in the car. Apparently, the whole ordeal took a lot out of them:
Those of you lucky enough to be on our mailing list will receive the official Santa photo in a few weeks (aka our Christmas card.) Believe me when I say, it gets better...
Next up...The Annual Shepherd Christmas Party (pajama style!)
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