Family Picture Sabotage

It's that time of year again--beautiful fall colors are everywhere, it's getting colder, people are starting to think about Christmas, and I am starting to think about the family picture.

Unfortunately, it seems that every year the universe conspires against me to make a family picture for our family impossible.

I'm sure you all remember the year Jason grew that beard . . .

 

And if it's not a beard it's someone refusing to look at the camera, having a tantrum, or not liking their hairstyle. And no, those were NOT all just me . . . we have ALL taken turns doing something to ruin the family picture.

This year it was Alaina.

First, we had trouble finding her something to wear. All of the winter dresses from our boxes of girl clothes were too big or too small. I looked at several stores and online, and everything was too expensive, too tacky, too ornate, or too green.

Reluctantly, I approached my mom, who is like a wizard when it comes to sewing. She readily agreed to make Alaina a dress that matched Janae's, even though the timeline was only . . . 3 days (I know, I can't believe I asked . . .).

We stopped by Mom and Dad's this morning (the picture was scheduled for tonight)-- before my dad was even out of bed--to pick up the dress.

It was beautiful. Even Alaina loved it. When I tried it on her at home, she couldn't stop twirling around and saying "Weeeeeee."

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The incident occurred as we were picking Benjamin up from school this afternoon. As I've mentioned before, Ben's school is on a hill, with a set of steep cement stairs leading up from the parking lot. Being the independent woman she is, Alaina always wants to walk up the stairs herself.

We were at the parking lot and Alaina started crying and arching her back, letting me know she wanted to go down. I set her down and she walked to a spot just behind Janae, then leaned against her sister (probably to give her a kiss). At that moment, Janae jolted forwards, leaving Alaina to fall flat on her face onto the cement (at least it wasn't down the stairs).

I knew at that moment that we would not be taking a family picture tonight.

Still, I perservered. I called Jason and told him what happened, but said we'd wait until he got home to see what he thought.

I put Alaina into her new dress and let her twirl around.

 

And then, finally, I made the call to cancel our appointment.

 

I know it's still pretty early in November, and I assume we will make another attempt at a family picture once the welt on Alaina's head goes down and then the bruises fade away. But I can't help wondering what will happen next. . . .

And yes, by the way, Alaina is okay :)