Day 6/365 - Another Snowstorm

Another snowstorm this morning meant that we're all home together again today. 

It also meant an afternoon of shoveling. 

My coat was left in the car yesterday - which meant I stole Grandpa's to shovel.

A. steadfastly refuses to wear a coat most of the time ("Mom! I'm fine in my hoodie!"). 

EJ happily dons snow pants, boots, jacket - if he gets to throw his entire body around in snow, he'll wear anything!

Uncle K. showed up to help shovel, as well - and then we went across the street to help one of the neighbors, too. 

Net result = I was sweaty (despite having just ha a shower); A. was cold and cranky but wouldn't admit the reason; EJ was having a blast, but had boogie running down his chin. 

And queue the family photo!

I'm not going to lie. I pretty much hate this photo of me. My hair is flat, sweaty, pushed to the side, and decidedly boyish. I'm wearing a too big men's coat. It doesn't match my [favorite] scarf. In fact, it doesn't match any of the three scarves I'm wearing. And I have no neck - as I'm wearing three scarves. 

Out in the snow is one of those times that I love taking photos of the kids, even of the dog, but I never have any of me. But this year -

This year, there will be snowy photos!

Day 5/365 - What. A. Day.

Today had EJ with me all day, singing and dancing while I taught over his head. He was bored, antsy, and around a bunch of new people - so higher maintenance than normal.

After classes, we went the grocery store to stock up for tomorrow's storm. More stress for Mama. 

By the time we got home, I was done. 

D. O. N. E. 

A margarita and wings were in order - which EJ slept through. 

We managed to get the guy at the podium to snap a photo of us before we left - bleary eyed and all of us ready for today to be over. 

Because sometimes - heck, a LOT of the time - this is our life. 

Tired. 

Cranky. 

Messy. 

With a paperboard wing-hat. 

And those times are worth remembering - and seeing the beauty within - as well as those more polished times (or those with a camel).

Day 4/365 - Reluctancy in the Face of a Snow Storm

There is snow.  And there will be more snow.
Which means - no school.

We're home, vegging, and slowly going stir crazy.

What to do for homebound distraction:

The Family Selfie.

aka The Ussie.

Don't mind the Christmas card wreath in the background. We're still loving on all the love!

I learned a few things in the few moments it took to wrangle this photo (and its numerous outtakes).

1. EJ's priorities put finishing yogurt over taking a photo with his mom.
2. When given a few spare moments before taking a photo, I preen, trying to figure out the best angle for my round face.
3. When actually taking the photos, I completely forget which angle it was I preferred.
4. A is completely comfortable to lounge around the house in an unbrushed ponytail and hoodie, but when a photo is involved...
5. The face on the right is one of pure reluctance.
6. Natural, laughing faces always trump stiff family photos - even when involving camels.

Day 3/365 - Did the Groundhog Even See His Shadow?

It's Sunday. 

And most Sundays find us here. 

 Church. 

And inevitably 15-20 minutes late for Sunday School. 

Because that's how we roll. 

But that's okay - because every family has their thing. That they all do together. 

Ours just happens to be scrambling and being late for church. 

I often take photos of the kids right before we go in to church. They're freshly groomed and haven't had too much of a chance to tousle their hair and clothes. 

But I'm never in those photos. I'm also freshly groomed, but behind the camera. 

Today, I stepped out. 

In front of the camera. 

On. A. Sunday. Morning. 

I didn't see my shadow - but I'm also not a groundhog. 

Day 2/365 - Let It Go!

Day 2 - Today our plans included a Frozen sing along at the local movie theatre.

After learning his best friend was dressing up for the show, EJ decided he also had to dress up as Elsa.
Thankfully, Target had one Elsa dress up outfit left.  PHEW. 

Day 1/365 - Getting In The Picture

This is it!

We went to the members only preview of the Egypt exhibit at the Science Center tonight. 

So, day 1 is us - ON A CAMEL. 

I'm not quite sure how the remaining 364 days can live up to this.

Getting in the Picture - A Year Long Project

I'm sure you've seen it all over the internet.  The Mom Stays In The Picture was an essay/blog sensation - and the idea spread throughout so many of my mommy groups online.  All over, moms were taking a photo with their kids.  I did it, too.

Yes, our matching Angry Birds hats are the epitome of COOL.

But, guess what I've found happening more recently.  That's right - I've realized that I'm slowly edging myself out of the photos again.  I don't know if this is just something I'm doing - or whether it's something that other mothers struggle with as well.  I do know that when I attempted to change my desktop photo to one of all three of us, this was the only one I could find:

The kids are 10.5 and 18 months in this photo - which means that it's more than two years old.

For quick reference, this is what those three people featuring on my desktop look like now:

Please note that these are not one picture, but three separate photos, taken at separate times, on separate days, in separate places.  Therein lies the problem.

My daughter is almost 13 now.
A LOT more grown up than she was at 10.

EJ is three and a half.  He's a big boy now!

And then there's me.
I recently chopped off about ten inches of hair, so I actually have a recent photo of me.
But, just of me. Because, really, it's of my hair.

I try to get photos often - but most of the photos seem to be of my 3.5 year old.  My daughter is at an age where she doesn't like to be in photos now either - which I fear is a subconscious result of my own reluctance.


So, I'm challenging myself.

And I'm challenging my daughter.

And maybe I'm even challenging others.  

For the next 365 days, beginning on February 1, we're ALL going to be in the picture.  

Every.

Day.

And maybe, after a year, being in the picture will become habit.
And the memories that our photos document will remember that I was there, too.
Me.
As I was - in the moment.

And just maybe my daughter will learn that being in the picture is good, too.