You better watch out, ya better not cry!

You better not pout, I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town!

Yeah. We know. Santa is is not just on his way, he's already here. In every mall (and some walmarts) and tourist attraction in the country. Its hard to escape his "everywhere-ness".

So, naturally, you wanna take the kids to see him, At least for the sake of pop culture relevance. AND GUESS WHAT. You're probably thinking or thought abot using these as Christmas cards, amiright?

Yeah. And definitely get them all dressed up and color coordinated.

Now, forget for a second, that I am a photographer. Because, I think we all know by now that going to a boutique photographer with a personal touch is DEFINITELY a better way to get awesome photos. Some even have Santa!. Plus the quality is better, the timing is better, the connection is better, the kids tend to be better (well, there's more time for good photos when you book a true session). But this is not an ad for going to a professional. Because that is not what this is about (but you totally should next year, in fact, BOOK NOW. Why not? I know a photographer or three that would love to spend time with your babies and get you the Christmas cards you want...! ;) lol)

But for a moment, forget that I own "that fancy camera that gets the good photos" *rolls eyes*.

Anyway, where was I? Or right. Color coordinating. Cool. You finally get both kids in their outfits. That alone took 30 minutes, now you get to take them out into the cold, wrangle them in their car seats, and then try not to loose them that is the Mall Madness rush. OH and there's a line. Of course there is. There's only a finite amount of time where santa is here, so... makes sense.

But its okay. You're prepared this year. The phones and tablets are changed in case the wait is ridiculous, you brought snacks and water. Change of clothes for when the middle one spills mustard on her sweater from the pretzel you promised for being so patient in line, and of course the special blankey that now has dirt and gross schmeg all over it from being dragged through the mall. But YOU ARE HERE. YOU ARE READY.

20 minutes later, the kids are done being patient. And so are you, actually. And you're contemplating how quick you can make a wine run on the way home so that you can try to erase this line experience from your memory. I mean, can you believe it? THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS, and half of them are crying or are emitting a smell, aren't you glad your kids are so well behaved..... ohmygod little Patrick just tried to climb one of the animatronic reindeer. Did anyone see? no? yes? okay well thats awesome. okay. whatever.

YES OKAY. You are next! sweet! Head count? yep. all three kids are here. Good.  Good job tired mama. Okay... this is going to be the best year for this. The kids are old enough, and ready. And they've been so patient! THIS is the year where things are gonna be different.

Okay. Here we goooo!

No, JAMES... stop pulling Santas beard off!!! Kelly WHY ARE YOU CRYING. YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING TO SEE SANTA SINCE JUNE? Patrick? WHERE  IS PAT... oh there he is. On the rocking horse, I guess thats okayyyyyyyshit he just fell off. And he dropped his milk cup allll over the floor. Great. Where is my husband? Oh he's laughing at me. This is neat. 500 hundred parents are watching my minions completely fall apart in real time. Okay, WIPES. Got them cleaned up and the middle one calmed down... and *click*


Wait, thats it? Oh... well, I mean... Okay, Maybe next year will be the year we get this right.

*******

Does this sound familiar? Us too. I just wanted to remind all of you over worked momma's and dadda's and care takers and family members... that you are NOT alone. And the key in this situation is to remain calm, and laugh. Because this years attempt at Santas picture will be next years hilarious anecdote. And truly, thats the best part.

You know our adorable generally well behaved, silly spirited, bacon loving minions? Yeah. Here are some of our pictures over the years: 

Here she is, graham cracker in hand. Obviously totally pysched about being dropped off with a strange old man. ;)

Here she is, graham cracker in hand. Obviously totally pysched about being dropped off with a strange old man. ;)

I like to call this  particular gem, "The one with the running" or "Uninterested Baby". But look! We tried to make them look like Christmas that year!

Ahh yes, This one. The one where it almost looks like the perfect angelic children. This is the one where you inadvertently say "aww".

But don't be fooled by the smiles/half smiles in this image, The one way Ian would stay in this picture is if he sat on the rocking horse... and even that was a power struggle.

There were a few shutter clicks after this one, where they were both kinda smiling, or something... but I campaigned for this to be the one we purchased. Can you tell that Ian and I hang out a lot? ;) And Amelias look is of pure perfection, "IAN... I'm gonna keep looking cute over here and smiling, but, ... ugh... really".

Also Ian refused to take off his coat, even though he is perfectly dressed for his santa picture under all this plaid poofy coat business, but he just wouldn't do it. Also, there may or may not have been an "accident" 15 minutes after this picture was taken. In the middle of the mall. So...

I still this this image is awesome, though <3

So dear mommies and daddies and lovers of the tiny humans. Don't fret. This chaotic moment is totally normal. And even if you "plan it" it rarely is what you pictured in your mind. Have some wine, or hot chocolate and laugh it off. Even though you had hoped for the perfect family picture, and instead you got tears and panic... remember that you will get to use these in your kids year books when they gradate with the caption of "look how far they've come". And don't forget to get the oxxy clean for that sweater ;)

Happy holidays,

~mflave

*photo cred to westminster town mall santa. I don't have the hard copies with me but as SOON as I do I will update with proper love and affection. They put up with SO many kids climbing and wrecking their whole set up. The patience they have is amazing. Give it up for them! <3 *

*Martha is a photographer for Mflave Photography, a  portrait photography studio based out of Maryland, serving PA, MD and VA, dedicated to giving a luxurious and intimate boudoir experience* (and she also photographs the occasional cute kid ;) )