Smile, Part Deux

Class pictures. When I was little, I looked forward to them. When I was a teen, they were the bane of my existence. I still hate having my picture taken. For years, I was that blur on the side. I was also that turned away face. And the one behind the hand/shirt/magazine. I've become resigned to smiling nicely for the camera, because it's less painful than the alternative.

My kids love the camera. They love having their pictures taken. That's because they're young and cute. The only problem? They don't know how to act in front of the camera. I've got a slew of bad pics. A lot of them are blurry-- thanks to the boy who, no matter how many times I tell him, doesn't seem to realize that the camera will not catch action. "It isn't a video camera! See the flash?" I also have many pictures of spazzy, fidgety children, making weird faces, and hamming it up for the camera. I don't mind that so much. Kids are kids. But I'd like a nice picture every once in a while. Just a pleasant smile. Is that too much to ask for?

Apparently, it is. Every year, I coach them before class pictures. "How will you sit? How will you smile? Don't forget to fix your hair before!" Every year I get a messy haired child who either looks somewhat constipated or like he or she is about to start a rebellion. This year, I got an inkling of hope from the girl's picture. Though the hair is...well, a nightmare, she is smiling! And it's a lovely, toothless smile. And this year, the boy doesn't have food on his face. That's something, isn't it?