Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- Dear Judgy Mothers on My Website… - June 15, 2013
- 10 Skills Every Mother Should Possess - June 10, 2013
- Perfection (Or pretty close) - June 3, 2013
{Alternative title: I took 1,973 pictures of my kids & all I got was this lousy blog post}
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.
{ 203 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so funny! I’m sure you can photoshop some pants on him!
.-= Sarah @Small Slice´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
LOL all I can do is………..Know exactly what you are saying except I only have one little boy and sometimes the best pictures are the ones that you dont really mean to capture! I just photoshop in a zipper, but love the smiley face! Good job Mom!
You took 1,973 and ended up with this blog post? That was time and memory card well spent! If you’d come up with some perfect posed shots, we’d all smile and click somewhere else. But this – it was great!
.-= Givinya de Elba´s last blog ..Perfect Little Family =-.
So true. Thank goodness for the blog. Without it, my efforts would have been a total waste!
your children are so beautiful it is like I’m looking at like catalog models.
.-= jodifur´s last blog ..I Totally Cried At "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" And You Will Not Judge Me =-.
It totally serves you right, thinking you could get a great shot – he sure gave you one!
.-= Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..Not Me! Not my husband =-.
I am laughing out loud right now! So funny! I’m sorry you didn’t get that perfect Christmas Card shot, but that picture sure is cute!
Oh my god that is too funny – but really Jill, all of those photos above are just gorgeous and totally frame-worthy!
.-= christy´s last blog ..Another interruption =-.
I laughed out loud at that last picture. It is SO perfect (except for that one tiny thing, as you said.) Oh my goodness–that is the story of my life!!
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot, America =-.
PS–I told my kids the whole story (they’r ein the room with me) and they all had a good old laugh.
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot, America =-.
Figures. My little guys are the same way.
I love candid shots and I think all of these are adorable! Looks like ya’ll had a great time on vacation :) Just wait until Evan gets to be a teenager – this will be the perfect blackmail photo!!!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Way to go Chick-Fil-A!!! =-.
Good thing I swallowed my coffee before I came to that last oh-so-perfect shot!
.-= PattiH´s last blog ..Gettin Better All The Time =-.
That was great! I had to show the post to my husband… who looked at the last picture and said “that’s a really good shot”… before seeing the makeshift “diaper”.
Kids!!
.-= Michaela´s last blog ..Foto Friday =-.
You have no idea how perfect that actually is.
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Cry Baby =-.
Eh, I’d use it.
.-= ShallowGal´s last blog ..Turducken – gate 2009 =-.
I just had the shittiest day ever, and this totally made up for it. Thank you!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Happy birthday to me! =-.
This might be your funniest post yet. All so true and you captured the chaos, the fun, the joy…..in each of these…..and especially the last.
Carry on, sister! If you ever get the perfect kid shot, come take one of mine. So far, I’m unsuccessful.
.-= Starnes Fam´s last blog ..Deanna Rose Farmstead =-.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! That was hysterical!!! Can you draw some pants on him with a black sharpie?? :)
p.s. If not, the lollipop one was FABU! Truly!!!
.-= McMommy´s last blog ..How to be a Professional and Famous Blogger. =-.
I needed that laugh! That is really funny and such a true depiction of real life. Wonder if that would win a Kodak award???
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Busy month =-.
That is AWESOME!
.-= Paging Doctor Mommy´s last blog ..The "Second" Wedding =-.
LMAO! That photo is precious – total bribery material for the teen years! Thanks for the smile!!
.-= Dani´s last blog ..Run-Walk-Run, Six-Year Old Style =-.
OMG, that is priceless. Defintely one to bring out and show his future wife.
.-= Managed Chaos´s last blog ..Inching Closer =-.
Love the photo! I agree with the rest when I say it’s cuter because it’s not quite, um… PERFECT!
.-= KathyB!´s last blog ..Snowmass IQ =-.
The last photo is awesome – great post, totally worth it! :)
.-= The Marketing Mama´s last blog ..Dear reader, =-.
…he is SO going to be ticked at your use of the word “tiny” when he reads this back in ten years…
.-= Ri´s last blog ..Guest DJ: The Music Savvy Model =-.
I did take out the “teeny tiny” I had first written first, for his sake. I’m sure he’ll still hate me for it though. Totally worth it.
.-= Scary Mommy´s last blog ..I took 1,973 pictures of my children on vacation and all I got was this lousy blog post =-.
Oh my gosh so funny. I can not even stand the cuteness : ) Those fake smiles are HILARIOUS! I just love how you make me laugh. Every. Single. Time. Wow! I could never give you up. Even if the baby wearing mom was on Oprah! : )
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Do you ever wonder why I love I heart faces? =-.
LMAO that is histerical! You’re right, it is a perfect picture. Your not alone in that dilemna though, I cant get a decent picture of my family if my life depended on it. That one will be the hughlight of your trip and you will never forget that moment!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Like water and oil….just not meant for one another =-.
That is the funniest thing I have seen all day. Great post, hysterical, well for the rest of us. I agree-good thing for Photoshop.
.-= Shannon Rubio´s last blog ..Quote of the day =-.
ha ha ha. I lived this post and can totally relate. We just returned from a week away and I still haven’t analyzed if I have a good pic of them all together….probably not. I think I’ve given up trying…. :-)
.-= Lee of MWOB´s last blog ..Snip, snip =-.
totally.
but hey – everyone loves a smiley face, right?
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: ch-ch-ch-ch changes =-.
That sounds about right. I have too many pictures where my 3 year old is bottomless. I just can’t keep pants on that guy. :(
.-= Angela´s last blog ..Cow Appreciation =-.
Ha! The same thing happened to my Mother. As she sorted through all the pictures of the kids at the lake, trying to find the perfect one to send my Grandma. All the pictures were either missing someone, or someone’s eyes were closed – you know. Well, she found the perfect one to send. Had a nice large print made at Snapfish and when she got it back ready to frame – my son’s one tiny little thing was sticking out of his pants. Not because he was being natural nudie kid, but because he was being a 5 year old with a really bad sense of humor.
.-= jamaise´s last blog ..YOGA BUDDIES DVD Review & GIVEAWAY =-.
BTW all your picture are beautiful – wether they cooperated or not :)
.-= jamaise´s last blog ..YOGA BUDDIES DVD Review & GIVEAWAY =-.
I think this proves that nudity = contentment.
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Dogs are awesome =-.
OMG! That is precious! Now there’s one for the family Christmas card! Just draw a little baby kilt on him and call it good. LOVE your blog btw.
FYI, my partner was just reading your blog post over my shoulder and asked “who are they”. I said “oh just my mate Scary Mommy” (cause I talk about you and your posts a bit) and he said “show me a picture of her”. Apparently you don’t look too scary! LOL BTW, love the pics of your munchkins.
Priceless!
.-= MG @ MommyGeekology´s last blog ..Girl Talk Thursday – p0rn and marraige =-.
That’s hilarious.
I have new respect for anyone that travels over 5 hours with children. I pulled a 14 hour trip last week and vow never to do it again. Ever.
.-= Futureblackmail´s last blog ..EYES OPENED WIDE =-.
hahahaha! Evan must be talking to Stella, because she has also been running around naked or only in a shirt.
Figures, that’s when you get the perfect shot. They look adorable, Jill! And really, you barely notice the smilie ;-)
.-= Elisa´s last blog ..Craving: great sandals! =-.
hahahahaha AWESOME.
.-= OHmommy´s last blog ..My cornea has HERPES. Heh. =-.
Haha. I think those were all pretty cute.
.-= Marla´s last blog ..Snowstorm of 2006 =-.
I would SO totally use this as a Christmas card. Seriously. You can ask my past year recipients.
.-= Teri´s last blog ..Moments of Summer =-.
I have no harder clients than my own children. I can take perfect shots of other people’s kids, but not my own. It’s very demoralizing as a semi-pro photog that I can’t even produce mediocre X-mas cards. So, don’t feel bad, it happens to the best of us (not that I’m the best, but you know, figure of speech!). At least you got one, sorta:)
.-= parenting BY dummies´s last blog ..The Dharma Initiative =-.
Oh, that is just too funny! (A boy and his manhood! LOL!)
Some of those other shots are really nice too, though! We’re always the most critical of our own pix, aren’t we?
Welcome back!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Musical Monday: Home Sweet Home =-.
That is freaking hilarious!!
.-= Casey´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Fireworks =-.
And it is a darn cute picture!
.-= Casey´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday-Fireworks =-.
OMG that is HILARIOUS!!! Great shot :)
.-= Jaden´s last blog ..What She Says… The Sequel =-.
Oh my gosh, that’s hysterical! All of the photos are cute, though!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..To Tattoo, To Not Tattoo =-.
Love it.
.-= Brindi´s last blog ..Do You Wait Until the Last Minute? =-.
You are singing my song! I cannot get my four to all look good in a photo. Drives me nuts.
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Rules and revelations =-.
Oh my GOD! Hahaha! Nooooo…. as if this happened! Oh, man, I hear you on the quest for trying to capture the perfect shot of the kids – looking at the camera, with real smiles on their faces. IMPOSSIBLE! Seriously! But as I was reading your post, I just wanted to say that the pictures you did capture are just amazing and perfect! Seriously! They’re frame-able. You have tres adorable children!
.-= Loukia´s last blog ..I’ll be there for you =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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.
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 =-.
HaHa – I am laughing out loud right now! That is priceless and a beautiful picture!
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. =-.
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 =-.
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~~ =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
You just made me giggle! This would totally happen to me, lol
.-= Midwest Mommy´s last blog ..I really want a car that sucks! =-.
That is tragically hilarious!
.-= Rachael´s last blog ..SYTYCD Top 12: Performance Recap =-.
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 =-.
I’m dying. Get someone to photoshop in pants! That’s a travesty!
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 =-.
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 =-.
ALL the pictures are picture perfect! ;)
.-= marymac´s last blog ..25 Random Things =-.
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 =-.
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.
That was the cutest thing ever ….thanks for sharing .
.-= Kim Sorensen´s last blog ..Pics =-.
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 =-.
Hilarious. I love how no one seems to think anything of the naked boy running around. Love it!
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" =-.
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? =-.
BRAVO!
.-= San Diego Farmgirl´s last blog ..Monthly pepper & ‘mater patch update =-.
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 =-.
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! =-.
Totally hilarious! Loved the photos.
I’m just out familiarizing myself with the Music Savvy Moms. Good to meet you!
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 =-.
Ha ha ha. Thank goodness for that smiley face. :)
Really loved this post, by the way.
.-= angie´s last blog ..Tuesday’s Tribute =-.
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?" =-.
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 =-.
LOVE the nekkid one!
All your pics are great.
.-= Schmoochiepoo´s last blog ..All seeing or just plain nosey? =-.
Mr Smiley sure came in handy;) The Little Man plays the same game…
.-= Nap Warden´s last blog ..Princess Peach =-.
LOL too funny!
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?? =-.
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? =-.
Still a beautiful picture! Sorta. LOL!
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 =-.
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 =-.
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 =-.
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} =-.
LOVE this!
.-= Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..In the Moment =-.
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 .. =-.
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 =-.
OMG! That’s hysterical!!! Still perfect!
Welcome back!
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 =-.
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) =-.
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.
OH SH*T!! That made me snort out loud in my office….too funny!
I love this. It is a perfect. Motherhood. Not for the faint hearted.
That was a GREAT post and a great laugh. Thank you so, so much.
I laughed til I snorted and then my hubs came in and looked and laughed, which is good, as he is very sick. Thanks for making our day with your beautiful children’s photos.
The photos were fantastic. Wow you are so close to your children. I think their eyes tell you what a great mom you are :)
Regards,
Ruth
Entertainment & Fun For Fat Loss People
WhyImStillFat.com
AH! That’s FANTASTIC! Can you photoshop some pants on him?
You’re my new favorite blogger. This post made me clap out loud!!!!
I’m going to share it with all my mommy friends. Keep up the good work!
Fellow mommy Christine
OMG. Perfect!!!
.-= Janis @ SneakPeek´s last blog ..A Thousand Words Thursday – You’re My Hero! =-.
Love this! It is a beautiful picture, little “oops!” and all. And now you have the perfect blackmail item to ensure he never arrives home past curfew as a teenager!
.-= SavvyMom´s last blog ..Is Stranger Danger Real? =-.
Fabulous pictures! The inventor of digital cameras…. a genius…I have three kids as well…I know how many pictures you need to take for that one perfect shot …. then you realize the not perfect ones are the greatest!
I have tears streaming out of my eyes . . .
LOL that’s funny. So appropriate in the way life likes to interact with us. But very, very funny.
.-= Kat´s last blog ..My House is a Mess =-.
Forwarded this to like 800 friends of mine.
Some thanked me for the laugh as their day is sucking.
.-= Hollywood Farm´s last blog ..Oh Boy, I just Gave My Son A Spock Hair Cut =-.
Classic! I wonder whether you are using it for the holiday cards?…
.-= submom´s last blog ..Hello, December! =-.
this made me laugh so hard… and so real that i got tears in my eyes.
How funny!
.-= Kim @ Cheap Chic Home´s last blog ..Merry SITSmas! =-.
Hilarious!
It doesn’t get much better than this post. I love it.
-Aimee
.-= Aimee @ Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog´s last blog ..Mental Monday: My Kid Was Suspended for Bullying? I’m On The Case. =-.
This is classic. I had a similar experience a couple weeks ago – I caught my son’s puke in my hands in between otherwise “picture perfect” family photos. Yea, it was a grand moment.
http://thegypsymama.com/2009/12/14/a-tall-mom-falls-down/
PS: I’m in the DC area as well – how awesome is the weather this weekend? It’s like we’ve been teleported back to MI for the day.
You entirely captured my joy, frustration, irritation, and life all in this one perfect post.
My husband goes ape sh** whenever I attempt to take “the yearly holiday photo”… in those 30 minutes we threaten divorce 4200 times.
Wow, that really is a great post. Thanks for leading me here!
.-= Anthony´s last blog ..Being Genuine and More On Asking Questions =-.
Ha!
This is so funny I belly laughed! And called my husband in to see it too. Ah, the joys of motherhood.
Hang a stocking on *it* and it’s a perfect Christmas photo!
Perfect! LOL!
Kids are amazing! so natural… :)
.-= BLOGitse´s last blog ..happy holidays! I have a FREE gift for you… =-.
LOL! Awww well at least you got a shot of all of them smiling!! Maybe you could photoshop in a diaper on him? I know photoshop can do some pretty amazing things. You have such a beautiful family:) thanks for posting! Stopped by from SITS to say hi!
That picture made me snort Diet Coke. Do you know how bad that hurts??
I thought the first picture with the giant lollipops was a beautiful shot. They are all cool shots, really. You have beautiful children!
Hope you had a great holiday!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..The Best Christmas Gift =-.
Gorgeous photos, I especially love the one of you with them on the beach. And the smiley face a close second :)
.-= Karen MEG´s last blog ..A Year in the Life of … =-.
Very nice. ;)
.-= WackyMummy´s last blog ..Scenes From My Week =-.
OMG. That is great! I love it. Typical of what would happen to me!
This was so funny. I only have one kid, but trying to get a great picture of a 3 yr old boy sitting still is my life’s challenge. Great post, and beautiful pictures.
.-= Mandy´s last blog ..Oh Holy Day =-.
brilliant! you actually did have me laughing out loud!!
that is good shit right there. HAHAHAA.
Oh my goodness!!!! This cracks me up! The look on their faces are totally innocent as well…I have to share this with my husband when he gets home from work!!!!!!
LOL!!! :D
.-= Peggy´s last blog ..Wisdom of the Aged =-.
That is hilarious, it totally made my day. You have a beautiful family. I love reading you!
HOLY CRAP! I am about to pee my pants!!!!!!! I am laughing out loud, to an empty office, thank god! Thank you for making me see I’m not the only CRAZY mom out there!
LOVE this post. As a mother of four, I can totally relate. Hilarious.
Mrs.Mayhem’s last blog:
.-= Mrs.Mayhem´s last blog ..You Might Think I’m A Bad Mother After Reading This =-.
Love it! It’s funny one of my fav pics of my son was when he was in the tub naked! I made a similar adjustment.
I’m not sure how I stumbled across your blog, but this may be my favorite blog post ever! That picture is just too precious, although I’m not sure what little man will think about it when he’s older!
That picture is hilariously cute. I love the smiley graphic you added. When my guys were little, we had these stick on bath toys and one was a sun with rays. One day I stuck it over the same spot as the smiley on your little guy on my little guy and snapped the most adorable photo. Now that he is 13 he does not appreciate that picture.
.-= Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef´s last blog ..Compliments and accolades =-.
Just found you and OMG….I’m sitting here in the dark, at 11pm, drinking a glass of wine and almost spit it on my computer screen! That was too funny!!!!
That is seriously HILARIOUS! I am also an obsesive picture taker. You do have some amazing pics of those kiddos. Who by the way are truly adorable. My favorite pictures of two of my boys happen to be pictures of them crying. Something about them just I dunno tugs at my heart in a way that a smiley picture never could.
I cannot stop laughing. Holy crap. Thanks for helping me burn a few extra calories tonight.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Reaching Blogging Milestones: My first Guest Post =-.
My family wanted to know why I was snorting out loud reading this one! So good! (you do know there is photoshop to add some shorts onto him right?
.-= Susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..When You Are Authentic & Open, Others Will Open Up To You =-.
Love it!
Lol dont you hate that? Like an idiot i always take pictures of my 2 year old in the tub especially after he’s ate a big bowl of raviolis n is covered of sauce n bubbles n he’ll have SUCH a sweet smile holding his robot i just want to send them all out… but then i see his pecker under the water… ah well , very nice pic you got of your kids!
I’m still laughing…holy shit that’s funny! I have two fussy toddlers (yes, I’m avoiding them by being on the computer instead of tending to their every need) and it’s POURING outside…so thanks for the laugh!
Maybe you could photo shop in a pair of shorts…hmmm, it just might work.
Lol
Your kids are amazing :)
.-= Nic´s last blog ..Iron Man 2 (2010) =-.
That is the funniest story ever… and I absolutely love the finally picture, plus some pants of course! Maybe you can doctor the picture up some how!! lol
holy shit, that is the most hilarious post ever. Thank you for “re-posting” this for us that weren’t readers back then!
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LOL. oh that’s too funny. A valiant effort! you have a beautiful family.
This cracked me up! Awesome post. No wonder it’s your favorite. Perfect.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Sorry, Nana (A Self-Pitying Diatribe) =-.
I really did LOL! So typical!!!!
That’s a beautiful shot! Our Christmas picture this year ended up being a collage of outtakes. With “Two under Two”, we couldn’t get a single good shot, even with leftover Halloween candy to bribe them.
I LOVE it!
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I think I just peed my pants, awesome.
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LOL!!! This is probably the best blog post I’ve read in about two years. Not coincidentally, my twins will turn 2 this month.
This is fabulous!! Love the “moment” ;-) Photoshop anyone?
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I added this post as one of my fav blog posts this week.
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Thank you for the laughs! ;-) Beautiful photo. And from the looks of that little guy’s smile he seems to think he has one over on you!
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To sweet! =)
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Hahaha!! That’s wonderful! GREAT candid shot!
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Do you have my children? They do the same things! Except that both will be completely naked before I can get the prefect picture!
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hahahaha!! this is hilarious!! cute kids btw..Just found your awesome blog! love the “virtual tattoo” and will be putting one on my blog:) I love your layout and everything!!
I will be back to visit again and read more..you’re a funny lady! lol
I love it! My 3 children are the same. My son is the worst though. I have beautiful pictures on my daughters and some fabulous pictures of the back of my son’s head. Good luck as your mission continues.
HANDS DOWN my all time favoritest post of yours! Haven’t laughed that hard in a long time!!
This is just fantastic. LOVE LOVE LOVE the censor smiley face ! Last holiday season, we took over 400 pictures of my son to be put on the holiday card. The best one of him……he looks a cheesy, Jewish ( I am Jewish) car salesman. I wish I could attach the photo.
Hands down, best post I’ve ever read in my life.
Now, you could have made the smiley face a little larger, I mean, give the kid a complex why don’t you? Itty, bitty teeny weeny………….poor Evan!
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I love it! That is a gorgeous photo, even with the censoring. The lighting is amazing.
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Try getting any picture of 8 kids, much less the perfect one!! Now I have six grandkids I’m trying to capture on film! You did a great job and you have beautiful children!
All those Pics. are great :o)
This is the best foto, that I ever see!!!!
Truly, the best post EVER! I laughed out loud for 10 minutes!!
This is purely delightful! A beautiful picture indeed! I am slowly learning that the best things in life happen when they are unplanned (and for an obsessive planner extraordinaire, letting things simply “be” is not an easy task…especially when it comes to photographing my two daughters). Thank you for reminding me to find joy in the unexpected and the unplanned.
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Oh this gave me a good laugh. I needed that, thank you! And what gorgeous kid’s too.
I know this is old but I happened across it, and I laughed so fucking hard! It’s so good to know I’m not the only mom who has a kid who runs around half naked! Thank God for you, Jill. lol
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Oh and I think the first one with the suckers is very perfect.
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Lol, you get what you ask for. This is too funny.
I was thinking it was a perfect shot until my eyes found the smiley face. Oh my goodness, that is priceless! Love the first photo!
Oh. I am DYIN’ ovah heah!! That is so stinking RAD. I just love it.
This? Is fucking hysterical. I love the little smiley face!
OMG this is HILARIOUS and soooo true!! My daughter (age 11) will pose for hours with the perfect smile and my (4 year old) son will have none of it. I’m lucky to get an 1 OK photo out of 100. I agree, photoshop some pants on him- scootch the other boy alittle closer and you’re golden. :)
Oh I love this.
I’ve got tons of photos of backs, goofy grins, tears, etc. because I figure, that’s who they were at the time.
But every once in awhile I get a “perfect” shot, and I’m good for about…. a day :)
Bribes still work here, I’m lucky.
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They all look perfect to me. Great shots that you’ll treasure forever.
We have 4 boys. Trying to get them to look in one direction at a time, much less in the the direction of the camera is damned near impossible. Then when they do look, one of them is making some awful grimace. Or picking their nose.
:-p
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Awesome.
And of course.
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Literally giggling and choking on my coffee…only because I have SO done the same thing. I have had many a photo that I was unable to publish due one or both of my children being partially naked. PS it is a great photo :)
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That is hilarious! But I think it’s a better picture because of it!!! Thanks for the laugh!
Kim
My Twintastic Life
LOVE it. This is the imperfect life, isn’t it? We need those subtle (or not so subtle) reminders that life isn’t perfect…and doesn’t need to be to find joy!
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You’ve captured your kids as they are, and that’s what you’ll look back at & remember. I have 5 kids & getting them all to take the “perfect” shot without someone having someone else in a headlock or making bunny ears is darn near impossible!
Love it!!! My most favorite picture of my kids is actually one of just the older two, when the youngest was about 6m and the oldest 2 1/2. They’re laying on my bed and both of them are cracking up over some private joke. The best shots always seem to be those candid ones–even if someone happens to be naked! LOL
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i think you got exactly what you were hoping for! This Picture captures their personalities perfectly. it may not be something to send out as a Christmas card, but it does showcase exactly who your children are today. great pic.
They are ALL perfect pics!! I love them! Even the naked one…..there is some sort of future blackmail that crossed my mind when I saw it….
ROTFFLMFAO!!!! THAT made my day!!!
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Oh, Holy Hilarious, Batman! I think you should frame that last one, complete with the smiley face. IT’S PERFECT.
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What a great and hilarious post! It’s so true about the “least expect it” moments.
Laughing my ass off. Couldn’t use the acronym, had to write it out; that’s how serious I am.
Two words for this photo: Photo. Shop.
Nevermind. Just leave it with the little yellow smiley face covering up the naughty bits. :) Isn’t it an appropriate metaphor for life?
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Absolutely tooooo funny…I also am glad my mouthful of coffee went down just prior to scrolling to the last shot! Your kids are adorable and you capture in pictures and words the moments sooooo many of us struggle with trying to be a perfect mom who always gets the perfect shot! Thanks for the laugh and helping us lighten up with a much needed giggle!
I thought they all looked perfect. Beautifull kids.
Hi, Very cute and soo typical!! The trick is to make their motive for cooperating their idea or use a diversion:
Say OK everyone, lets take a silly/crazy/monkeyface/whacky photo… get as silly as you can (gets the sillies out and they love to look at their funny faces). Ok SCARY FACE!! Ok smiling face. Ok angry face, smiling face. Then be sure to share them with the kids right there for immediate gratification.. THey will love the funny pics so much that you will be able to use this as bait for cooperation for ‘nice smiling faces’. It’s good to give them their choice (crazy face picture) first, because you are role modeling what it is you want from them and because it gets it out of their system!
Another is to say, ‘look at the monkey inside the camera.. can you see it..even though they and we all know, there’s no monkey.. the humor in this sometimes entices their cooperation.
Remember when they are little, the more you pressure or impress them to do something you really want badly, the less they will be inclined to cooperate, because they enjoy the sense of power they have and they naturally want to exercise this power. There are ways to give them that sense of power with in your limits. Such as diaper changing (to a fitfull child who hates this..). You give the child the heads up of what’s about to come, delay for a few minutes, then come back when its time. But before you take him, while he’s bucking about it, you tell him, ok time for diaper change (end result (your decision)), but you give him the power with which way HE wants to go about it… “do you want to put your toy down so YOU can walk to the diaper table, or do you want me to help you and take you there?” Balls in his court, he knows he has the power to decide or not and he will also not fight you as hard because he had choices. No decision becomes your decision and you pick him up.
Sorry, I’ll get off my soap box now.. These ideas have helped me time and again. Happy Parenting! (sorry about my lazy grammar.. I’m soo busy, that I really should not be taking the time) :D
I think the first picture is perfection. The story is great, but you nailed it with the first one! :)