Visiting with Santa...

On Sunday, we went back to the mall to do some retakes. Needless to say picture day Friday did not go well. My boys were a mess. I would love to say that they were sick or tired, or hungry, but the truth is they just weren't having it. Matt refused to smile, and Z was all over the place. If he wasn't scampering around, he was zoned out and expressionless. The results were definitely not the dream shot I hoped to see hanging on the wall for years to come. I actually told the photographer that there really were no pictures I wanted to pay for. Fortunately, Lisa got some adorable shots of her kids from that day, so it wasn't a total wash.

My sister could sense my frustration so when the photographer suggested we come back on Sunday, I agreed. So Sunday morning I convinced Wayne to come along hoping his presence would help keep Zach focused, and Matt entertained. Well picture time came, and the results were not really that much better. The pictures were pretty much a 50/50 split. Only two out of the four kids smiled at one time, no matter how many faces, stern warnings, or pleas we issued. in the end, we will have a picture. A perfect picture, hell no, but a shot of the 4 grand kids at this time in their life, and all the drama that goes into it.

At the end of the photo shoot I was beaten, Wayne was astonished at how obstinate the kids had been, but we let them go see Santa. I let Zach go because there was no line, and he was super excited to see him. Plus I had promised if he smiled in his pictures he could see Santa and about 1/2 of the time he complied.

Zach was such a chatterbox, talking away with Santa. He even climbed up onto his lap to tell him what he wanted. He talked for a good few minutes with Old St Nick about his reindeer and about his sleigh. It was all going so splendid so I threw Matt into the mix.

You see, last year I wanted a picture of the boys together with Santa, but Matt was asleep in his stroller when we finally got our chance, and Zach was terrified, so I was glad to get one shot at a picture. This year Zach was so thrilled to see Santa, I'm sure he would have been content to sit on his lap for the photo or the rest of the day chattering on about Rudolph. Unfortunately, the moment Matt met Santa I knew he wasn't thrilled and that little bugger is strong, so I had Santa hold him tight, and moved Z to the rocking horse. My efforts to get a nice picture sort of paid off, because Zach is gleefully saying "Cheese" so nicely while Matt makes his "Popeye" face. I figure from far away it might look like Matt is smiling instead of grimacing! Who knows, if the proofs from Sunday turn out terribly, this little beauty might just end up on our Christmas card this year.