Yes it's that time of year again. I am keeping it VERY simple this year. My friend, the amazing photographer Winifred Marion, took a gorgeous picture of my kids. I mean I love this picture so much and can't wait to send it out. Come to think of it I think I will try to post it just so I can brag further about how cute my picture is.
Mind you, I used to try to take the picture myself. Major mistake. I would get the kids all dressed up, line them up in front of the fireplace and start snapping away. Inevitably at least one of them would start to complain, or would start making bunny ears, or would burst into tears because his/her brother/sister was "being annoying." This would lead, also inevitably, to me ending up either in tears or screaming like a maniac at them -- not something I enjoy but especially not while I am trying to get a good picture of them! I have learned that outsourcing is the key. For some reason they tend to behave better for someone they only see once a year.
Anyway, I just dropped off the picture at a photo place, they are going to scan it directly into the card I picked out, and all I have to do is write a cute little note inside each one.
There was a time in my life when holiday cards were a major production. I would spend hours poring over the various card books, looking for the "perfect" card to express our family's holiday wishes for that year.
But now that I am a working stay-at-home mom, I just don't have that kind of time on my hands. The card isn't priceless artwork that is going to be saved for generations; it is just a holiday card that will be tossed in the garbage in January along with the old wrapping paper and leftovers. What I have learned this year, is that "good enough" is often really enough. Perfect is not necessary, nor is it even desirable in most cases. I am just trying to be happy with good enough this year.
Will be back soon with the picture. (The current picture of my kids that is on the web site is 3 1/2 years old. They have grown a little bit since then.)
Nina