I know, the theme song to the gay Tom Cruise volleyball scene as I am trying to look sophisticated in my red bolero hat and jacket.

This morning at Rachel's daycare drop off, there was an announcement that school portraits would be available at pick up.  Yay!  But not for me..because Rachel refused to sit for her school picture. There would be no school portrait package for Rachel Wang.  She didn't cry during picture day.  Rachel simply refused and stood her ground.  Her care center tried to coax her but didn't force.  Cookies, crackers and favorite teachers couldn't bribe her.  She just would accept or like picture day.

Who the hell doesn't like picture day?

I grew up going to Sears every nine months to get their 8x10 package at 12.99.  I loved posing for the pictures and counting down the days to see the finished package.  Back then, there was no digital so the waiting period was a very long 3 weeks.  I would go back with my mom wanting to scoop up all the pictures of me.  Mom would take the pictures in the package but every now and then when we were in Sears, I hoped to see my picture on the wall of glory.  I was very disappointed.  My picture was never displayed but even at as a kid, I told myself that meant something was bigger and better than the Sears at the Bangor Mall.

School picture day was my second favorite day (after the first day of school).  Every piece of clothing was calculated to give me the best smile.  Regardless if my pose was two seconds...my undies and tights always made a difference.  This thought carried me through junior high and then to the coveted senior pictures.  You remember senior pictures?  An hour of amateur modeling to some sort of bad 80's soundtrack.  My soundtrack was Top Gun...I know, the theme song to the gay Tom Cruise volleyball scene as I am trying to look sophisticated in my red bolero hat and jacket.  This is an ultimate scream of "ridic!" as I spent hundreds of dollars just to have the same poses as half of the girls in my senior class.

Rachel seems to know this facade all ready, not posing for a picture that makes her feel like a trained seal.  Laurel is different but similar with stubbornness.  She loves posing for pictures... but brushing her hair prior to the picture is another story.  This thought may make me seem like a horrible parent because when Laurel brought her pictures home, I wanted a re-take...that hair is my nemesis.  No re-take, Laurel started cutting up the wallet size with pride.  (Shut the hell up JCW.)

All I want is what I see everyday to be captured on film---my girls feeling good, strong and happy.  Perhaps it should be me taking these pictures.

But as of this afternoon, I was given a second chance with Rachel.  The first batch of school pictures had horrible resolution and some weird black line down the edge.  There is another picture day on November 27...maybe I will stay with Rachel during this photo session...and bribe her beyond abandon.