Yesterday we had our family pictures taken.

Oh, how I have a love-hate relationship with these special things!

I go through many emotions when getting ready for picture day, and they go something like this:

1. Yay, we have a photographer scheduled!

2. I’m going to pick out super cute and comfy outfits for everyone!

3. Does everyone match?  But not match-match? Do we just “go together?”  Is this what Pinterest told me to do?

4. WHY DOES NO ONE MAKE NAVY BLUE SHOES?!

5. Where are all of Alice’s bows? I swear I bought her some! I will now make one using Pinterest and hot glue.

6.  I am really excited, and everyone has their outfits and shoes and it’s going to be painless!

5. Rain in the forecast.  Please don’t rain. I can’t go through this again!  I’m ready for today!

6. How does everyone feel about pictures today?  Kevin=not excited, but loves me and will do it.  Tom=not excited, probably won’t do it. Alice=excited, will totally do it.

7.  We’re going!  We’re dressed!  We match, but don’t match-match!  It’s happening!!

8.  I forgot my checkbook!  Do gas stations have ATMs? Are there gas stations around here?  How does the world work?!  I think I may be nervous.

9.  We’re here!  I know it’s a little crazy I didn’t trust Alice not to potty on her outfit in the car, thereby making her get ready *in* the car once we’ve arrived — but hey!  That’s the kind of crazy I’ve been reduced to.  (Also once we arrived? I may have made her potty in the portable potty that I brought with us before putting her tights on. No changes of clothes, Alice!  WE MUST MATCH SORT OF!)

10. The photographer is super nice.  And has that “I-will-totally-be-able-to-handle-your-crazy-kids” look about her. Yay!

11.  Tom will not stop making robot noises and putting his hands in his mouth, but he *is* trying!

12.  And now Tom has found a creek to throw rocks in and deer tracks and he’s in heaven!  And whenever I ask him to leave those things to pose for a picture, he TOTALLY DOES.  Score!

13.  Alice loves it!  For 10 minutes!  Now she wants to know why we’re torturing her this way.  And when she realizes no one will save her, she says the following in a 2-minute time span: “I’m hungry.”  “I’m tired.”  “I have to go poo.”

14. And we’re done!!  Hallelujah!  I’m so happy and I know they’re going to be beautiful!  Yay, life!  Let’s go to Dairy Queen!

15. (At Dairy Queen) Me: “Thank you guys SO much for being so awesome at picture day!  I really appreciate it and know they’re going to be awesome!  Love y’all!”  Tom: “LOVE you, too, Mom!  It’s the BEST DAY EVER!”  Alice: “I want french fries.”