From the moment we stepped foot in the car for the 8 hour drive north, I commenced my mission: To take the perfect picture of all three of my children, in one frame. Looking at the camera. Not a cheesy posed shot, but a natural photograph capturing their true personalities. Admittedly, I was a tad obnoxious in my efforts, but what better place to capture this moment in time than the beach? Beautiful backdrops, sun-kissed children, sunsets galore… I was going to get it, and it was going to be perfect.
For two weeks I gave it my all. I bribed them, only to have my props eaten mid-shot.
I pleaded with them to look at me, only to be blatantly ignored.
And even worse, I had them simply turn their backs on me and walk away.
They gave me smiles so fake I had to cringe,
and crawled out of the holes I set them in.
I joined in to tickle them into smiles,
But still, had nothing.
Then came the last night of our trip. The night that Evan pulled off his diaper and proceeded to run around the yard wearing only a shirt. Too lazy to get a new one, I momentarily forgot about my mission. I half hazardly captured a few shots, not paying attention to his lack of bottoms.
Later that night, when I reviewed my pictures, I discovered something horrible. Something unthinkable: I had captured the impossible– the perfect photo, featuring Ben, Lily, Evan. All looking at the camera, acting like serene versions of themselves, surrounded by glowing light.
Perfect.
Except for one tiny little thing…
It totally serves me right.
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Hahahah. Hilarious! I wonder if you could Photoshop that green shirt Evan is wearing… you know, just stretch it down a bit or something so you could frame it. LOL
Man… this is so awesome.
Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..Dark places and hot spots
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Oh too funny!!! It’s a good thing Mister Smiley was there to help you out!
Mrs Soup´s last blog ..My College Career – Part Five
Twitter: mrssoup
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That is PRECIOUS!! Looks like you guys had a great time.
Sugar Jones´s last blog ..United Breaks Guitars… then Responds to You Tube Video
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It always takes me about a hundred photos to get one that I like with my son in it so I can totally relate. And I think the photos you just posted and the previous one turned out great! Glad you’re back. Oh, and I can’t even see any left over bruising on your nose in the photos.
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totally laughed out loud on this one. that is a great shot (all the photos were cool), maybe photoshop some pants.
And why does it have to be so darn difficult to get a picture with all of ones children sitting nicely and looking. I have yet to accomplish this.
Jen, buried with children´s last blog ..How To Ruin Your Favorite Shrit
Twitter: buriedwithkids
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HaHa – I am laughing out loud right now! That is priceless and a beautiful picture!
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That’s AWESOME! You should print it and have it framed. How funny is that? Love it!
Cindy Streams´s last blog ..No relaxing here.
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Looks like you had a great holiday. And that smiley face totally looks like your fourth child.
Mwa´s last blog ..At least I can still see my toes
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I LOVE it!! I agree with Jen, maybe you could photo shop some shorts or something on him. This is a great picture!!
Trina´s last blog ..~~PeaceLoveMom Review and Giveaway~~
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That is soooooo funny – you ended up with a gorgeous, if not blackmail worthy, picture. Your kids are beautiful, and all your vaca pictures show that, in the very least, you were having fun. All of you.
BTW, I came over here from Forever Fat Girl on the Inside. :-) Have a wonderful day!!!
Charisse ´s last blog ..Not ME! Monday
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I love, love, love this post. And the best thing about it is that you can’t even crop it out. LOL Maybe you can photoshop some little shorts on him. And the second best thing is that Lilly acts like she doesn’t even care and/or notice. LOL Awesome.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Wake Up Call
Twitter: jwilliams057
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You just made me giggle! This would totally happen to me, lol
Midwest Mommy´s last blog ..I really want a car that sucks!
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That is tragically hilarious!
Rachael´s last blog ..SYTYCD Top 12: Performance Recap
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I have two girls- I didn’t know that little boys dinkies came with a smiley face!! I guess if I had known that, I wouldn’t have been so afraid to have one!
swirl girl´s last blog ..The One in Which She Just Doesn’t Get It
Twitter: swirlgirlspearl
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I’m dying. Get someone to photoshop in pants! That’s a travesty!
Twitter: BigPieceofCake
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Oh so funny! I didn’t see the little smilie face at first and was all… what’s she on about? Hahaha. Oh well. Can’t you use PhotoShop to add in a pair of underpants or something? Looks like you had a great holiday though.
Lady Mama´s last blog ..The night Hypnobirthing took a dive
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Oh my god, I can’t stop laughing aloud! That is way too funny.
Mel @ A Box of Chocolates´s last blog ..One of My Favorites
Twitter: boxofchocolates
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ALL the pictures are picture perfect! ;)
marymac´s last blog ..25 Random Things
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That is hilarious! I too struggle with trying to get the kids to take a “perfect” picture.
I do think that all of your pics are beautiful!
Missy´s last blog ..VBS is starting
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Jee-Yill (imagine me saying your name)
that is beyond priceless. I love all the pictures. Every blasted adorable one, especially the one with you in it.
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That was the cutest thing ever ….thanks for sharing .
Kim Sorensen´s last blog ..Pics
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That is hysterical!
Coma Girl´s last blog ..How to Find The Back to An Earring In High Pile Carpeting or Why I Should Have Bought a Berber
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Hilarious. I love how no one seems to think anything of the naked boy running around. Love it!
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OMG, that picture almost made me pee myself. And for what it’s worth, I think you got AT LEAST half dozen gorgeous shots in there.
Laura (aka Mom2Peach)´s last blog .."children are innately hopeful"
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Hilarious. I love how no one seems to think anything of the naked boy running around. Love it!
P.S. I cropped that shot of you with the kids for my little BlogHer “Directory” I’m making. I hope you are using it for a Profile pic somewhere, because it’s adorable :)
Mrs4444´s last blog ..Just Breathe?
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BRAVO!
San Diego Farmgirl´s last blog ..Monthly pepper & ‘mater patch update
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I love the cringe smile. I get that a lot with my kids too. I think the little happy face adds character, like it’s another guy in the picture (and isn’t it, according to most guys). Great post, as always.
Carrie Anne´s last blog ..Next Steps – July 13/09
Twitter: cabadov
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HILARIOUS!
My middle child will be 7 in a few days and I don’t think I have a single picture of him where he doesn’t have dirt/slime/food/leaves/bugs stuck to his face.
Lizz B´s last blog ..My 100th post! My 50th Subscriber!
Twitter: hereslizz
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Totally hilarious! Loved the photos.
I’m just out familiarizing myself with the Music Savvy Moms. Good to meet you!
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I think all your photos are great, and I’m a big fan of the first one. Your Photoshopping skills for the last, however, are second to none, and I am humbled by your prowess.
Seriously, though, great photos…make me wish I was on vacation with you guys!
Mariano´s last blog ..5 Article Types for Your Business Blog
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Ha ha ha. Thank goodness for that smiley face. :)
Really loved this post, by the way.
angie´s last blog ..Tuesday’s Tribute
Twitter: 7clowncircus
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Awwwwww! What a shame we CAN’T post nekkid pictures of our kids… Some of those are the best. My boys’ toddler years were mostly nekkid, apparently. I only notice this when I am looking for internet-worthy shots!
Nan´s last blog ..News Flash: "Do We Haaaaave To Go Home?"
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I think you got some great shots! I love the one with the lollypops.
And the last one – can you photoshop in a diaper or some pants? :)
Reluctant Housewife´s last blog ..Brothers and Girls
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LOVE the nekkid one!
All your pics are great.
Schmoochiepoo´s last blog ..All seeing or just plain nosey?
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Mr Smiley sure came in handy;) The Little Man plays the same game…
Nap Warden´s last blog ..Princess Peach
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LOL too funny!
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Oh my gosh this is CLASSIC! I don’t think you should photoshop it at all…I think you should frame it EXACTLY how it is. :)
Mama Kat´s last blog ..The Bachelorette: Viagra Much??
Twitter: mamakatslosinit
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Oh that just figures, the best poses and then something too major to photoshop!
Gabrielle Valentine´s last blog ..So…What’s This Blog About, Anyway?
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Still a beautiful picture! Sorta. LOL!
Twitter: laels_mom
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LOVE IT! I would end up with something very similar if I made the effort to capture my girls on film, smiling at the same time. Hilarious!
Angie´s last blog ..Paula Deen Cookbook Giveaway
Twitter: anticswithangie
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Ok… THIS is hilarious!!! Getting 3 kids to all look at the camera happily… an AMAZING feat. I love your little edit, hahaha.
Still, it looks like a great time away!
:)
~Tabitha
Tabitha Blue´s last blog ..days of summer:: 8
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Someday you’ll look back on these pics and think they are all absolutely wonderful. I have many pictures of my kid’s backs… I’ve liked them the most as time goes on for some reason. Glad you had a good vacation… your kids are adorable :)
Margo´s last blog ..My Own Storming of the Bastille
Twitter: gomarwrites
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HA! That last one is a classic! Just shows how being au naturel is sometimes the best way to go. Just not in public I guess.
Maricris
Maricris´s last blog ..Toasty Brown {not the blog}
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LOVE this!
Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..In the Moment
Twitter: sarahviz
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Oh my that is priceless!!! Too funny yet so cute at the same time. My two never look at the camera either.
Melanie´s last blog ..
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Okay, these pictures are fantastic!
(BTW, since I’m too lazy to take decent pictures of my kids…I’ll be using yours in this year’s holiday letter. Thanks, man.)
See you at BlogHer next week…? (I hope.)
XO
A.
Anna Lefler´s last blog ..Anna & Erica’s Not So Excellent Adventure
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OMG! That’s hysterical!!! Still perfect!
Welcome back!
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girl, you are hilarious! i think you need to frame that last one, with smiley face included of course :)
Lizzie´s last blog ..When Bloggers Collide
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Hahahaha that is hysterical, thanks soo much for the laugh!
That and your teaching them to pee sitting post totally has me rolling today.
Genius I tell you.
Dddiva´s last blog ..French Silk Chocolate Pie (Adapted from the Pillsbury Bake Off cookbook)
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I think all the photos were just beautiful. And as for the last one, I would see if someone with great photo shopping skills could put a pair of tan shorts on him. Love the beach photos.
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