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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

How many times

do your kids get their school pictures taken in a school year? They take pictures 2x here. I know it's just a ploy to get the school more money, because you're going to want to buy the pictures of your kids, but do they really have to take school pictures twice? None of the schools I went to did this (ok it was a really long time ago that I was last in school, but still!) So I just wondered if this was usual nowadays?

For Kayla's first set of pictures, which were done in the fall, I thought she looked a little scared and not quite comfortable with what was going on. I hoped this next time would be better and she would seem more relaxed.

I went to pick up her school pictures last week and to say I was disappointed was an understatement. I pulled out the big 8x10 print to have a look and what did I see? SNOT! Snot all between my poor child's nose and upper lip. Thank goodness it was clear and not green-looking, that would have been worse. So in an 8x10 print you can see her nose running in all it's glory. None of the adults in the room could wipe her nose? I know it's not their job to make sure all the students getting their pictures taken look perfect with not a hair out of place, but snot? It was so obvious in the photo and it wasn't just a little bit either. No way was I buying the whole package.

I bought the sheet with wallets because on a much smaller scale you can't see the shine of the snot on her face, and I knew the grandparents would want a wallet. I also bought the black and white pictures because again, when not in color you really can't see the runny nose she had unless you look for it.

Kayla's new favorite thing to do when having her picture taken is to wink. And she keeps that one eye closed practically the whole time you're trying to take the picture; while saying cheeeeese too. Her school picture was no different. So here is my one-eye open, cheese-saying, pony-tailed, preschooler. I know you're going to tell me the picture isn't that bad and you can't see the snot, but trust me - in an 8x10 you really, really could.

48 comments:

Beck said...

Photos TWICE a year? That's a bit much - at my kids' school, they take them once, in the fall.
I'm sorry they took a photo of Kayla that wasn't flattering - it DOES get pretty busy on school picture day, but you would think that someone would have quickly wiped her nose!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

We get them twice a year, too. But I never buy the second set. I love that she's winking! When they're doing something for a while, it's cute to document it. We have a whole series of each boy going through a "crazy" phase. Every picture is this weird face. But I think it's cute now!

smileymamaT said...

We get the visit once in Sept, then they make one more appearance for parents who asked for retakes. They also offer touchups. What a shame someone couldn't take a minute and gir her a tissue swipe. She's adorable anyway, though, and you could get the 2nd visit for the 8x10 if you need to.

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Twice a year? That hasn't happened here yet. It's a bummer when they don't turn out they way you want - you would think they'd have wiped her nose. I love the winking pose - too cute!

Anonymous said...

The school I teach at does them once a year in October. She's so stinking cute!

Anonymous said...

aww she looks so adorable! I just love the wink!I had to print it out! I can't believe they wouldn't wipe her nose. They should of at least done that.
My kids do take pictures twice a year also. The spring pictures are always nicer so I will by those. I used to buy it both times,but with three kids the pictures do get expensive .I also stopped b/c Gary said I was crazy for doing it both times the same year.
I'm sure the grandparents will just adore this picture of her! I sure do! love ya,
love,mimi

K.T. is Mommatude said...

We have them taken twic here too.One in the fall with the typical blue background or the yearbook pictures...and once in the spring with a "fun" background-those you get to preview before you buy.
Kendall has this sideways smile when she says cheese....I love it when they get it with her NOT doing that.......LOL.

Jessica said...

But I like seeing all the pictures of Kayla!! She's just too beautiful!!

Kelly said...

We are a single picture session school district thank goodness because I would have to pay for 8 total packages where you are!

Honestly, it would take more than a small river of snot to put a dent in the absolute charmer she is!

But I agree with you on having a kleenex box handy in the picture taking room!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

She is so beautiful! Pre-school pictures are the most awesome because they are so uninhibited- they are just themselves. Loved the picture!

-Andrea

TJ said...

she's cute in both but this one she does look more comfortable!
The prices are outrageous most of the time...
:-D

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

They take them 2X a year at our preschool too. My older sons turned out terrible!! He's outside with his hands above his face. I asked him "who told you to pose like that"? He said "No one. I just did it and they took the picture". Uh, do we really let 4 year olds pose themselves? Crazy. I still had to buy some for the grandparents. I think she looks cute though. But I always think she looks cute (how could she not)? I'll post Markys school picture later to make you feel better. It's aweful.

Anonymous said...

2x a year seems a little excessive!

Bummer about the booger, she does look absolutely adorable!

Anonymous said...

Twice a year is a bit much, but maybe it is nice for families that don't take many snapshots. Thankfully, you do! I love the wink so much. Your Kayla always makes my day~seriously!

Mrs. Mac said...

We have photos taken once a year here. Only time they ever came out good was when they just took pictures, then sent home the whole package before you paid for them. Other than that one time, I never buy school pictures as it's been a waste of money in the past. I take my own pictures, then have wallets made up at Walmart. Much cheaper and who wants a new 8x10 each year???

Michelle said...

They take them twice a year here too! And yeah - couldn't they have someone to looke them over once 1st????? LOL!
She sure is cute in her photo though!!!

Barb said...

I never heard of school pictures twice a year, and you're probably right that it's a ploy to make money. Of course people are suckers for photos of their kids.

But really, good for you for not buying the whole package. There's no excuse for that. Someone should have wiped her nose. What were they thinking?

However, it's a darn cute photo and I love the way she winks!

Anonymous said...

The picture is very cute, she is so lovely with her wink, hehe. But I would be really p... off, too. You would expect them to at least give the kids a quick look to see whether they look fairly clean. I know with Corin this would be the same though. He's such a little dirtbag, I bet on his pics he'd have soot in his face, LOL.

Anonymous said...

Well, twice a year seems a bit much. Her wink is adorable. I'm sorry to hear they didn't wipe her nose.

Carole Burant said...

I even took a magnifying glass and couldn't see the snot...ok just kidding! lol Oh Michelle, you had me giggling throughout your whole post...we always want the perfect picture of our kids but it seldom ever happens! lol I don't know about now but when my boys were in school it was just once a year for school pictures. There's no way we could have afforded to buy them twice a year! Snot and all, though, she's still adorable:-) xox

Tammy said...

First of all, she's simply adorable. I don't think Kayla can take a bad picture! :)

(But I so agree...someone could have grabbed a kleenex for pete's sake! I would have been a little upset, too!)

Julie Julie Bo Boolie said...

We certainly don't get them twice a year.. yikes ka-ching!

I'm devastated that they didn't wipe the snot away because THAT is a gorgeous pic :(

What a horrible disappointment :(

Jen said...

She's still precious; snot or no snot!

Ms. Kathleen said...

Awww...she is so cute but they certainly could have wiped her nose. They do take two pics at my son's school but he has looked at them the last two years, doesn't like them and won't bring them home. Bummer. We do have an excellent photographer who will take a really nice school photo so I have done that instead. When they are 15 it is hard to find out just what is going on half the time!

A lot of school have a re-take day so you may want to look into that.

Hugs!

Robin said...

Michelle- you are so funny! But right. 2x is ridiculous...but the picture is precious. I see no snot here! ;) Love the winking!

Angie said...

twice a year here too..i swear they nickel and dime you everytime you turn around! cute picture though-like she's saying "aye matey".

Anonymous said...

School pictures twice a year, okay as a grandma that's fine by me BUT even I would have to draw the line at taking a child's picture when there is obviously snot on their upper lip!! How long would it take to take a kleenx and wipe the child's face??? Michelle I don't blame you at all for not buying any of the bigger pictures. In all honesty I'm not sure I would have bought the wallets. You have taken some extrodinarily awesome pictures of Kayla that we cherish so feel free, in the future, to forego the school pictures and take some of your own instead.

Calico Sky said...

She is sooooo beautiful!
I think 2x a year is a little much. I can't believe no one wiped her nose!!! When I used to inspect daycares and pre-schools I saw that a lot, and it made me MAD!
But, she does look adorable :)

Leslie said...

Such a sweet picture!!

When I started teaching elementary school 8 years ago they had just started taking a yearbook picture and then a picture in the spring. The spring package had a 'cuter' backdrop and the package options were UNREAL...stickers, bookmarks, keychains. All really cute, but also really expensive. And it was a PAIN and not many kids bought the packages. PLUS we had a class picture in the spring as well! I wish someone had wiped her nose before she got up there! If the teacher didn't catch it...hello! The photographer should have! :)

Anonymous said...

I think this school picture is so very cute!!! and the wink says it all.. but, like, Barb (Your MIL) you take so many of your own pics of Kayla and they are so much better. we would not be sad not to get a school pic... especially, when they can not get a tissue and wipe Kayla's nose!! they have what 15 kids in the class. And , yes, Michelle , Joe is a very special , thoughtful,kind and caring person.. you are so lucky to have him in your life... :) Love Mom

Shelley said...

The twins' childcare has one photo day and then a weekend option for a family portrait weekend as part of hteir fundraising activities. Such a shame about the snot becuase it is a lovely photo - I love the wink.

Anonymous said...

She looks so adorable! They take pictures twice here too, but I refuse to buy from them. The poses were always unflattering, and they charged way too much. We usually have pictures done in a studio.

Anonymous said...

Yup, twice a year here too.

And, well the snot thing is totally unacceptable. I think you were very generous for purchasing even those.

When I taught I used to buy a big bag of cheapie combs so I could make sure the kid's hair was in place, then I would give the kid the comb I had just used on them.

S. said...

Now that is hysterical! I just love her wink, it is the cutest thing ever! Sorry about the snot, that is just gross! I am a bad mom and can never remember when it is picture day and my kid always manages to have bedhead and an outfit she put together herself on that day. School pics here are once/year, but soccer is twice...I refuse to pay for soccer pics twice, and the coach actually gave me a hard time about it...sorry, we are on a budget here!

I just love to see any pics of Kayla, snot or not!

Anonymous said...

My kids get pictures taken 3 times here. One in the fall, once in spring and somewhere in between they take a group class picture that is NOT included in the cost of any other set. It's awful. You know I helped the kids school in Utah on picture day once... I combed hair and wiped noses and fixed hair ribbons and ties. There was a lot to do, but I'm pretty sure I helped every kid who was there when I was. I wish someone could've done that for Kayla (and, no I don't see the snot; I think she looks fabulous winking like that and I want a copy of that pic for my wallet!) cuz I know that feeling of dispointment when the picture just isn't what you expected. It's a bummer. Still, she's gorgeous and is looking pretty comfortable in front of the camera, so that's good.
I just wrote a whole e-mail instead of a comment! Sorry!!
love you!

Anonymous said...

maybe the school can't get enough of their cuteness and had to do it twice!? Kayla is beaming with innocence and I love her smile

Catch said...

They take phots twice a year here too...I have no clue why...I always thought once a year was enough. That picture is adorable....lol...she will laugh at the winking thing when she is older but I think its so darn cute!!! And I agree with you....why in the world could someone not wipe her nose. sometimes you gotta wonder how smart those teachers really are. Now if any of you are teachers, dont get upset...but how hard is it to wipe a small childs nose for their school picture? And if you say you dont have time to wipe every childs nose....Im gonna say than you should make time.

Christina M said...

You are right, the pic is really cute, and no snot showing :-)

Momo said...

Kayla is so vulpine...I adore that she is making the difference among the others!

Steph said...

Hi Michelle, thanks for leaving your lovely message on my blog. your daughter is REALLY cute! mind if i link your blog to mine?

Sara said...

Wow we are lucky to get photos once a year...I love the photo!!!!! She is adorable! I know how you feel about the nose thing, with Nathaniel is it trach boogies...We have had some photos back and I am stunned that nobody did anything...
Michelle, Kayla is beautiful , nose boogies or no nose boogies ;)

Sue said...

I know it's not the picture you wanted, but she is beautiful. She is too cute winking for the camera. I'm sorry they could not wipe her nose though.

I hope the 8x10 brings out what looks to be such a fun personality and not her runny nose. :)

Linda said...

Well snot aside - it is an adorable picture. Whoever is behind this picture money-making scheme is raking in millions. When my kids were in school there was a different picture every time we turned around - sports, football, cheerleading.....on and on. They are very clever- these picture-making geniuses - because who can resist these adorable pictures?

Dori (Aviva's mommy) said...

We just had spring photos done last week.

She looked adorable.

HUGS!

Overwhelmed! said...

Yes, photos twice a year seems a bit excessive. Thank goodness we won't have those issues, as Oronzo is a professional photographer and will do all of Snuggle Bug's school pictures.

As for the snot (which I couldn't see in the smaller picture), I would be upset with the photographer more than the adults. He/She should've noticed it and asked for her nose to be wiped before the picture was taken. It's a photographer's job to pay attention to all the little details!

Sorry that picture was such a disappointment to you. The wink is adorable though!

Melany aka Supermom said...

No we don't have photos taken twice at our schools. Although, now that I think about it. At Jason's preschool we take individual photos at the beginning of the year and then concert / group photos at the end of the year.

jotcr2 said...

That is very unprofessional of the photographer. You'd think it wouldn't be too hard to sort that out with one wipe of a tissue...

The Mom said...

In our last district they did twice a year, but this district only does once a year :)

Kayla is so adorable, boogers and all.... I'm with you though - you'd think that either the photographer, or her teacher would have wiped her nose!!!