School Pictures

After waiting with my 3-year-old

to get her photo taken only to have her

frown with her eyes and smile with her mouth

{at the same time}

or stick her tongue out

or lift her dress

or look away . . .

I think I have decided

that in the future

I will not buy school photos.

The kids can take their pictures for the class picture and the yearbook.

But then I will take the money that I would have spent

and buy snapshots instead.

The day of "school pictures" is loaded with anxiety.

And why not? 

There is the pressure that THE photo taken today

will go down in infamy as the way you looked

in 2010, or 1979, or 1962.

And is it really accurate?

The forced smile.

The awkward discomfort.

The stiff clothing that you don't normally wear.

The hair poofed or slicked down in a style that

makes people think

Who is that?

So, grandparents, don't be surprised

if you get one of these

for your wall

instead

of the traditional stiff pose.

{say cheeeeeese!}