Friday, October 10, 2008

The Perfect School Picture...

Let me preface this post by saying we really don't want to brag or make any of you who may've not got the best picture jealous, but we thought we'd share our story and Charlie's school picture.

Now, I don't know about you guys, but we look forward to getting our kids' school pictures. Now, when we say 'getting' them, we don't necessarily mean taking them, but rather that moment when your kids bring them home from school for you to see. It's exciting. Sorta like a mini, early Christmas.

And why is it that getting the pictures is exciting? It's because you put so much darn effort into getting that kid ready, hoping he doesn't screw it up, expecting a good picture so you don't have to take them to some photo place later in the year. At least that is our take on things.

It was the typical 'first ever school picture' scenario. Total first child antics here (even though Charlie is not the first child, this was our first experience with official school pictures).

It started with the pre-order. The packet came from school full of choices. Did we want the 8 X 10? What about wallets? Would Grandmas and Grandpas want 5 X 7s? All the questions... After significant consideration, we went for the B packet with the 'Amber' background. Pre-order - Check.

Next we needed to find the perfect cute little outfit. Steff wanted something that brought out his eyes, Matt wanted him to look tough. Steff wanted this, Matt wanted that... and on and on it went. Finally we decided to set him up with a striped blue sweater, styled hair, etc. The Look - Check.

Finally picture day came and the morning was spent keeping him from smearing syrup on his clothes, bloodying his lip or anything else that could foil our plans for the perfect picture. As the clock ticked closer to the time when the bus would arrive, final primping and styling took place. At long last the bus came and we sent Chuckles off to school having done all we could to set the stage for the perfect school picture. Execution - Check.

Then we waited. Waited and waited.

This morning we were pleasantly surprised when Charlie's teacher sent the pictures home in his backpack. Finally the time had come. Our mini early Christmas was here.
We opened the pictures and....










-- Wait for it --
















-- Suspense building --
















-- Now you're starting to know how we felt waiting --


















-- Ta Da!!! --





















What the? Are you serious? Was Stevie Wonder taking this picture? Good grief people.

Stupid mini early Christmas present....

25 comments:

Tim & Nancy said...

Charlie is so cute. Um maybe you could photoshop Winston next to him in that space. Was it MJ Thomas that took them because he always screwed ours up? You guys are too funny. Nancy

Lisa said...

Thank you for the laugh. This blog cracked me up! He's still looks cute though.

Josie said...

Jeff and I are laughing and laughing. Remind us to show you Nate's first pic one day....all they said was, "it doesn't matter what he wears, they'll just stick his head in."

Thomas family said...

That was the best laugh ever, thanks! He is still adorable!

Mike and Adrianne said...

Thank you. That was awesome. At least he looks great!

American Falls TaVaci said...

That is HILARIOUS.

Dana P said...

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a blog EVER!! You guys write out the story of your lives so well!! Thank you for the great laugh!! For the record, Charlie is a darn cute kid, even though the picture is not centered, or that he is not smiling AT ALL! :)

Anonymous said...

that is so hilarious!! I am laughing so hard - Tal just asked me if I was crying....YES! Any parent who has ever done school pictures sees the humor....

Sara said...

Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
I hope to see that framed and hanging in your house. Expect the frame would probably cover one of his eyes.
Hilarious.

Merri Hackett said...

I was seriously laughing out loud! And I like Nancy's idea of photo shopping Winston in. Or maybe do like another picture of Charlie in the background or a reflection of him in a mirror...I have one of those odd school pictures.

Angie Penrose said...

LOL! Thanks for the laugh. He is such a cutie! I wonder who the goon was that Lifetouch hired to take pictures this year? Steff- doesn't that make you want to do that again?! Good times. :)

Tammy said...

aww come on... he looks so cute! Just not a little centered. He looks very serene. I love it! I love the suspense build up too...Funny

Stephanie said...

I loves this photo! The blog was hilarious I showed it to my hubby and we had tears running down our faces from laughing so hard at the great storytelling! It kind of reminds me of a T.V. show commercial I saw about "Kath and Kim" they had a photo that looked very much like this!

Didn't Lifetouch do a great job with the photos this year!

My 1st grader decided the outfit we wanted him to wear for pics was not good enough. so he chose a different one.....which included holy pants. we decided to pick our battles and send him the way he wanted. besides school photos only show their shirts anyways....right!!! nope! We got his individual photo and there is his knee showing through his holy pants.

Mardi and Jeremey said...

LOL! That is awesome!

Shane and Michelle said...

That's hilarious. He still looks adorable!

RaEStoCo said...

Stevie Wonder...HA HA! That's a good one! Everyone has a least one bad school picture, he just got his out of the way early. He's pretty darn cute though.

Mike and Jana Black said...

Very funny, school pictures are always a crapshoot.

Kristen said...

Haven't seen blogs for awhile. Haven't belly laughed like that for awhile. He's so stinkin cute! Off center, but adorable...

Melanie said...

Ok, that was awesome. Charlie looks cute but maybe you can get a refund since they took the picture with his invisible friend in it. Shouldn't they know their limits? Hello people? Invisible friends won't show up on film! Duh.

shelby said...

Charlie is going to be a chic magnet! He is adorable!

brooklyn said...

i've come back to this post three times and laught just as hard every time.

Nat said...

That......hold on......still laughing.......wait........almost done........nope........still laughing..........................................................................................................................................wow!!!!...............still laughing............literally..............that is some picture......................ya, still laughing................hey, at least he was holding still AND smiling. Good job Charlie! What a stupid photographer. We love your stories and hope to hang out with you soon!!..............more laughing! With LOVE, Tyler(and Nat still laughing right here beside me)

Rock Permann said...

Charlie...you are my Favorite!!!

~~heather said...

I just can's stop laughing. Ah man! Bwahahahaha!! I am so sorry1 heeheheheeeheee!! Your post was awesome!
~~heather

Danielle said...

Hey Steff, it is Danielle Hopkins now Johnson! I found you blog and I live in Springville almost in Spanish Fork! We had the same school photographer! In my 7 year olds picture his head is tilted really funny. I thought it was just me!! I guess not! Email me anytime! My main email is familyfirst76@yahoo.com.

Danielle