Riley Recommends: November 2013

About a month ago, my Mama received a groupon in her inbox. It would only cost $25 for a "$50" package. Included in the $25 was the sitting fee as well as two picture sheets and 3 images on CD. Not a bad deal thought my Mama. As soon as Mama purchased the package, she immediately called the department store photo center to book our appointment for a family holiday photo. She was able to land us a 9:20am photo spot for Saturday, November 9th. Perfect, I thought. I'd have plenty of time to have an enjoyable breakfast and be back home long before it was time for lunch and a nap. My moms always attempt to plan things around my food and nap schedule - even now that I'm older. However, sometimes the best made plans are an absolute failure...

Fast forward to yesterday morning. I woke pleasantly enough. In fact, I even slept in until 6am due to being up a little past my bedtime playing with a friend the night before. My moms came into my room and greeted me with big smiles as usual. They were excited to have our family portraits taken for the annual family Christmas card. I ate a nice breakfast and then crawled up the steps for a bath (I walk like a pro, but still crawl up the steps for safety reasons). After my bath, I played with my old school Fisher Price Toys until it was time to get into my dress. Mommy bought my shoes, tights, and dress especially for the occasion. My moms then oohed and aahed over my adorableness. They are so easy to please. All I have to do is say a word or point to a color when asked and they flip out with excitement. Anyway, so my moms got dressed and off we went to the "portrait studio."

Mama went up to the counter to check us in (we got there 20 minutes early so that way we could get in and get out as soon as possible). We were told that only two people were in front of us. That sounded promising. So, we sat down on a nearby couch in the furniture section to wait....and wait. AND wait. Mama and Mommy took turns walking me around the store and pointing to all of the Christmas decorations that Mama said shouldn't really be out until after Thanksgiving. Though it was kind of ironic since we were there to get our "Christmas" pictures taken. She's silly sometimes. So, we walked around the store and then I was getting a little irritable. So, we went back to the couches and I had a snack because I was sort of hungry. Mama went to see where we were in line and what was taking so long. By now it was already 9:45am - 25 minutes after our appointment time and 45 minutes after our arrival. The woman at the counter said there were only 2 people in front of us (which is what she said 45 minutes ago. At this point we ran into my friend from daycare which was nice. I do so like to catch up with friends. Though I didn't have much to say since I was getting pretty irritable from waiting. So, we walked some more and I ate some more snack - and then I really started to get fussy. I cried, and I threw myself on the floor, which resulted in me getting a lot of dirt and dust on my dress. Mama tried to comfort me, but I just cried and drooled all over her clean shirt. Finally, at 10:20am, we were called to have our picture taken.

I was done.

I was done before I even saw the camera or the pretty Christmas tree background. Mama had picked two backgrounds for us to use, but we only ended up using one. I didn't want to sit, and I didn't want to smile. I was tired and I was ready to go to my crib. You can see some of the terrible photos that occurred as a result of this family photo attempt. So, what do I, Riley recommend? Don't be suckered into a portrait sitting because of a groupon or an advertisement in Parents magazine. Wait until after Thanksgiving, when the Christmas tree is up at your house, dress in something comfortable and seasonable, and then call your neighbor to come over and snap a photo with your iPhone. It will likely turn out clearer, take a heck of a lot less time, and will essentially cost you nothing. Needless to say, none of these photos will be going on a card or will be given to family members for gifts this season. One entire morning of my life, completely wasted. Along with twenty-five bucks.