About to scream

Okay, I every year I go through this. I think it is possibly why I wait until so late to take my kids pictures for our card. What the heck? I can take pictures of other peoples kids all day long and not lose my patience once. I don't threaten or bribe them with anything. But give me five minutes trying to take a Christmas picture of my own kids and I feel like I could start pulling out my hair.
My friend and I decided that we should take our kids down to the Ritz and use some of the beautiful rooms there to take photos. We had it all planned. Our kids were all dressed and looking great. They seemed to be so well behaved right before we left the house. Then once we are there they see the large spaces to run and just take off. We had five kids to two adults and I felt more out numbered than ever.

This other couple was there with what appeared to be their only child (girl about two) and she started screaming, crazy screaming, at the top of her lungs. The parents kept trying to talk with her and ask her what was wrong. This child got louder and louder until finally I thought I was going to say something to them. I never feel like that, I understand the a two year old child. I know they can freak at any given moment. But when they are totally losing it in a loud echoing hallway/dining hall, please...please have mercy on everyone else and just take the child outside for a walk.

So after all of this chaos, I think I may have gotten a few of my kids and of my friends kids. I just want to remember this next year and sit my kids on our front porch and tell them to smile.