11 Signs Summer Is Drawing to a Close

If you live in my neck of the woods, then you are fully aware summer is quickly coming to a close. There is only about four weeks left till school is back in session. How do I know? Well, it isn't because I glanced at my overpriced Erin Condren Life Planner or because the back to school items are spilling out of their homes on the shelves of Target and Walmart. I know summer is almost over when:

1. I don't know what day of the week it is, and there is absolutely no way I can tell you the date. Maybe I need an Erin Condren planner after all?!

2. I can't recall the last time I gave my kids a bath...unless, of course, swimming in the pool or running through the sprinklers count?!

3. I've been wearing the same t-shirt for the last three days, and I don't care who knows it.

4. My go-to beauty look is a highly disheveled ponytail and an ample amount of sunscreen. Okay, okay...like the t-shirt, the ponytail is also probably about three days old.

5. I contemplated feeding my kids Cinnamon Toast Crunch for dinner. Again. Enough said.

6. I no longer care how I look in a swimsuit. That start of the swim season when I feel super self-conscious has passed. I'm officially Tyra Banks catwalking it like a boss...chasing after two kids at the Splash pad.

7. I forgot what time bedtime is supposed to be, and my kids are totally taking advantage of it.

8. I've pulled out all the stops, done all the summer fun summer stuff, vacationed, and now my kids are entertaining themselves with an empty vacuum cleaner box.

9. I've watched every episode of "Fixer Upper" on Netflix and Pinned no less than 110 home improvements. None of which I have actually completed...much less attempted.

10. I no longer respond to "mom" or "mommy" or any other variation of the word.

11. I've seen at least five teacher friends lament the arrival of back to school commercials and ads on their social media pages.

And while I understand their disappointment that all good things must come to an end. I won't lie. I'm kinda ready to head back to school. Because I know -- as well as anyone -- that in-between Parent-Teacher Conferences and Field Trips, state testing and early mornings, math homework and after school activities there is the promise of another beautiful summer just over the horizon. And that's more than enough for me.

7 Life Lessons for My Children

I hope you dream big and without fear. Search for buried treasures you may never find and build castles on clouds you will never live in, and in doing so, know that no matter how big or how silly a dream may seem, if it brings you happiness that is all that matters. Carry those dreams in a pocket close to your heart.  Pull them out on days when the world feels a little too gray and storm clouds loom.

I hope you explore the world around you and absorb it like a sponge. Dive into the deepest, darkest waters and climb to the tallest, towering points. Listen to the words of others as you go, and etch their stories on your heart. Fill your lungs with fresh air, and learn the native songs as they float around you.  The world is a truly beautiful place with so much to teach, and you have so much to learn.  Soak in the very simple lessons and the undeniably epic ones too -- each will help shape you into the person you will become.

I hope you know your value and never settle for less than you are worth -- at school, at work, and in relationships. Know that you are worthy of love and respect, and once you believe it, teach others how you expect to be treated. Don't allow others to berate you.  Don't berate yourself. Negative inner dialogue is often the thief of much happiness. Learn to love yourself. The rest will all work out.

I hope you stand strong in what you believe, even when you are standing alone and especially when you are standing up for others. There may be comfort in numbers, but nothing worth accomplishing is ever done out of comfort. Though you may feel small and your knees may shake, your one voice can make a tremendous difference. When others try to quiet you with threats and fears, this is the time your voice needs to be heard most. Value kindness over popularity and courage over conformity.

I hope you see that there is more good than bad in this world.  People will lead you to believe that monsters are lurking around every corner.  You will read terrible stories in newspaper that will make you feel uncertain and afraid.  And you will see horrible events on your television screen that will make you question humanity.  Don't believe everything the media tries to sell you. Instead, believe what you witness firsthand. Experience is a wise teacher, and he will show you the good people. There are many of them.  

I hope you laugh every day -- big laughs, belly laughs, laughs that come from the soul.  I hope you laugh loudly and boldly as tears stream down your face.  I hope you snort. I hope you almost pee your pants at least once from this type of laughter.  And I hope you cry with no apologies -- through heartbreaks and broken promises and earth shattering news.  I hope you are never afraid to feel your sadness, and I hope you are never too serious and solemn to share your amazing laugh with the world.  

I hope you find the beauty in the simple moments -- a child's small hand nestled in yours, the sound of faint giggles at bedtime, the way sun dances on your skin as the soft breeze kisses it, a warm embrace, the smell of freshly cut grass in the spring, the feel of the soft ground underneath your bare feet, a familiar face, the whispers of the rain, a kind parting word.  There is so much to appreciate in each second of every day.  Life is fast fleeting; live for the little moments.

What a Barbie Doll Taught Me About Diversity in Toys

I took C to Target today to pick out a new toy. She absolutely loves to cook and she loves Play-Doh, so this Spaghetti Chef Barbie with Play-Doh was a MUST. As she happily walked away with her new doll, I noticed a Caucasian Spaghetti Chef doll right next to the one we bought. Exact same doll. But this one was not on clearance. Odd.

I looked around quickly and noticed that this seemed to be the case for many dolls with brown skin. Maybe this was some random fluke, but I have a feeling that it wasn't. In fact, the possibility that this could be the norm concerns me.

As parents, we all work hard to teach our children to value themselves as they are, to appreciate the beauty of diversity​, and to respect others. We explain that everyone is different, but our differences don't define us. We emphasize that no color is better than another.

And then stores do this...

What a Coloring Kit Taught Me About Diversity in Toys

I try to find as many things as possible to keep my oldest entertained while C is at therapy. When my mom was in town, she bought this coloring kit for my oldest, and yesterday, we took it to therapy so she had something to do.

As my oldest stared coloring a picture of a couple ballerinas, she sighed loudly. I looked over at her and noticed a hint of frustration on her face. "What's the problem?" I asked.

"Well, this only has peach color for the ballerina's skin. I wanted the ballerina to have brown skin," she replied. "I will just wait till I get home. The ballerinas can only have blonde hair anyway," she said with a quick roll of her eyes.

I was caught off guard, because the shades of markers in a coloring kit had never really mattered to me growing up. Maybe because there always was a peach color that represented me.

It reminded me of the incident the other week when C picked out a Barbie on clearance while the identical Barbie with lighter skin was full price.

I've been buying toys for 10 years and playing with them for even longer, and if it weren't for my own children and their perceptiveness, I would not notice most of this -- unfortunately.

Our children deserve to be represented in the toys they play with. And while we have come a long way -- a boy American Girl Doll, dolls with disabilities, etc. -- we still have a long way to go.

Tips for Parents Before an IEP Meeting

Confession: I missed my daughter's first IEP meeting. To me, this was akin to missing her first smile, her first steps, or her first day of school. Somehow, I managed to get the date and time flip-flopped.  Instead of the 8th at 10 am, I thought the meeting was the 10th at 8 am. 

As a mother, I felt extremely guilty when the school called me to remind me of my error. As a teacher, I felt incredibly embarrassed. I have sat in plenty of IEP meetings in my 8 years as an educator. I know firsthand how much planning, preparation and time it takes to conduct them. I have been there when parents have no showed. I've heard the sighs and the under-the-breath comments when -- after a phone call -- a parent cannot be reached. And I've seen the frustration when a parent never comes. 

But the other day, I was that parent. 

After the initial, "OMG! I missed my kid's IEP meeting" shock wore off, I realized one important truth: I am not the first parent to miss an IEP meeting, and I will not be the last.  However, with a bit of reflection and planning and a whole lot of advice from fellow moms, I am prepared to be prompt and present for the next one.  

Here are just a few common pointers I received: 

1. Purchase a nice planner. In my twenties, my memory served me well. However, as I slowly inch closer and closer to 40, my memory sometimes leads me astray. Having a planner will not only help with the occasional IEP scheduling, but it will also help with the scheduling of many doctor's appointment, therapy sessions, and maybe even little me time too. Mimosas anyone?

2. Call to confirm. Had I done this, I would have saved myself a lot of guilt and embarrassment, and I would have been able to actively participate in the decisions that were made for my daughter. While you're school district may give you a courtesy reminder call, many do not. In fact, sometimes all you will receive is a letter a month before the meeting as a reminder. If your memory is anything like mine -- see #1 -- then calling to confirm is a great way to make sure you have the time, date and place correct. 

3. Have the number of the school or the Special Education Department on hand. Sometimes life happens, and there is nothing that you can do about it. Babies get sick, cars won't start, MapQuest fails you. If you know you will be unable to attend ahead of time, call the school; they may be able to reschedule so you can participate. If that doesn't work, the school may be accommodating enough to allow you to participate via phone conference. Both are better options than not being able to participate at all. 

4. Have your paperwork organized in one central location. Anything from doctor's reports to therapy session paperwork is beneficial. Ensuring all of these important documents are in one place will save you time and energy the day of the meeting. If you haven't noticed organization is truly key. 

Hint: If you choose to keep the paperwork in a super special and super secret place, make sure you know where that place is. I learned that lesson the hard way.

5. Allow yourself to make mistakes, and then, forgive yourself. No one can deny that part of parenting is making mistakes.  The key is to learn from them and move forward.  

Believe me, if to err is human, then I'm about as human as they come, and it's okay if you are too.

55 Thoughts Parents Have on Christmas Day

Remember when we were children and perfect? Remember when we woke up late Christmas morning, unwrapped presents slowly and enjoyed quality time with our family until it was time for bed? Yeah, me neither, and now is the time we pay for it with our own children, who have somehow learned how Christmas works through osmosis. 

So, without further ado, here are 55 thoughts every parent is bound to have on Christmas Day.

1. Is it really time to wake up?
2. Well, the kids are up, so yes, it is.
3. 5 AM.
4. No, don't open presents without me there!
5. Can I at least get coffee first?  
6. Can we feed your sister before the kraken awakens inside her?
7. Okay, now presents.
8. ONE AT A TIME!
9. Only open the ones strategically placed in front of you, with your name on it!
10. Yes, I know papa is Santa, but don't let your siblings know.
11. No, the elf isn't real. Again, don't let your siblings know.
12. The presents at our house are just as fun as the ones you'll open next. Let's take our time and enjoy them!
13. Okay! Now that the paper is off, play.
14. Yes, all of these presents are amazing, but does every single one need to be out of their packages in the first 5 minutes?
15. You know what, now is the perfect time to start writing that birthday wish list full of all the presents you didn't get for Christmas (aka: please let this occupy your time for more than a few seconds.)
16. Aaaaaand we’re bored.
17. Is it lunch time yet? If it's not, we’re saying it is. Mommy needs a break.
18. (It's just now an appropriate breakfast time)
19. I should probably start on that dish I needed to make today.
20. What was I cooking again?
21. Oh yay! Time to leave our house a mess and carry on the celebration at someone else's house.
22. Why are your socks not on?
23. Where is your coat now? It's 10 degrees outside!
24. Why are we going anywhere again?
25. Oh yeah, food.
26. Speaking of food, did we have to bring some?
27. Did we remember to bring everyone in from the car?
28. (Now is the moment I remember that I got my kids dressed up nicely, my in-laws look fantastic, and I look like I crawled out of a dumpster)
29. More presents that must all be unwrapped and out of their packages immediately!
30. Do we need to play with the noisy ones right this second?
31. Please don't say that's already lost/broken.
32. Are you sure I need to help pick up? I still haven't cleaned at my own house.
33. Yes, a movie sounds fantastic!
34. Aaaaand a kid has already left the room.
35. This is why my mother-in-law cooks. It's quiet in the kitchen.
36. I see half the sugar cookies have disappeared, and we haven't even gotten to frost them yet.
37. I also see your new cardigan is covered in crumbs, but don't worry, I can't be 100% sure who stole the cookies without proper forensic evidence and an eyewitness testimony.
38. More people! Normally, I'd be hiding by now, but this means more people to help with the kids!
39. Is food done? Food is done!
40. Please don't wipe that on your shirt.
41. If you don't like it, don't spit it back in the bowl you took it from.
42. No, you can't eat off my plate when yours is exactly the same.
43. Time for one more movie? I was ready for bed 3 hours ago.
44. You mean we have to pack up presents AND kids before we leave?
45. It was totally an accident that we left the noisy toys at your place.
46. You sure they can't stay here as my Christmas present?
47. See you in a week so we can repeat for New Years (minus presents.)
48. Home at last. Oh yeah, it's still a mess here.
49. I know your toys are amazing.
50. No, "Noisy T. Rex 2000" can't sleep with you.
51. No, the Christmas lights can't stay on in your room all night.
52. Wasn't it bedtime an hour ago?
53. Can wrapping paper and toy boxes be considered Christmas decorations, so I don't have to pack them up before New Years?
54. Time for mommy time! Bring on my presents!
55. Did I say presents? I meant wine. Bring on the wine!

If you have larger family or multiple parties these steps may need to be repeated. And don't worry! If this wasn't fun enough there's always next year! Enjoy and happy holidays!

For the month of December, we will be celebrating the holidays with our 12 Days of Christmas. Be sure to check back for a new holiday piece by a new contributor.

Sage Rogers has been described as a b***h, lover, child, and mother but it's not legal to use those words together for fear of copyright infringement, so instead, Sage is a mother of 4, married, and by wine she meant rum.

The Gift of Being Present in the Present

Slowly realizing being present in the present is the best present...

Deep Breath.

That is what I needed after typing and staring at that sentence for the last two minutes. It took me to a place that I don’t like to go; a place of guilt, shame, could haves, missed opportunity, and sadness.

Luckily, I am writing this alone, so the tears that are filling my eyes can be wiped away without anyone knowing.

I mean, seriously?! I don’t have time to be worrying about feelings.  I don't have time to be crying. I need to be thinking about what we are doing for Christmas. I need to think about what gifts I need to buy for everyone. I need to think about how I am going to budget those gifts. I need to think about how I can serve others this holiday season.

On top of that, I need to be reflecting on my past and how I can make changes to benefit my future. I need to think about how I am going to put food on the table. I need to think about what "honey do" I need to complete next. I need to think about how I am going to run the Cub Scout Den meeting. I need to think about our financial future. I need to think about how I can be a better man of God.  I need to think about…

I have so many excuses, so many things to be thinking about and working on.  No matter what stage we are in life, we all have things we need to be thinking about. We all have excuses for why we are not present in the present. And yet, sometimes we need to be reminded that the best present we can give ourselves and others is being present in the present.

How can being present in the present be the best gift to someone else?

Take an incident that happened recently.  My son, Tyler, came to me and said, “Dad! I got on gold AGAIN!” Gold is like the crème de la crème of the behavior chart at his school, and as Ron Burgundy might say, ‘It’s kind of a big deal!’ In that moment, I needed to be present and respond accordingly, because he was proud.  He felt accomplished, and he felt like he had done something that would make me proud.

If I was not present and was consumed with thoughts about everything else that needed to be done at that moment, I could have crashed his excitement. Instead, I needed to be present. I needed to hear what he said. In this case, I was able to allow heartfelt joy to take over. In this moment, I was able to puff his chest by words of affirmation and give him a pat on the back.

That was my present, and it was very well received, because his strut got a little wider, the high five was a little harder, and the smile on his face got a bit bigger.  If I was not present and thinking instead about what I needed to do for the Cub Scout meeting, my words and actions would have in turn had a negative impact and turned into a really sucky gift.

The gift of your presence is just as important during times of trials as it is during times of triumphs. To illustrate this point, check out this scene from Inside Out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Q2dah75Zc).  Joy's mind was not focused on the present, but rather on catching a train. Sadness, on the other hand, was present and listened which resulted in Bing Bong getting one hell of a nice gift.

So as you enter this holiday season, remember, it’s not always what you are going to give someone, but what you can give them during the here and the now. It’s taking the time to give a little more attention, to be a little more attentive, and to be a little more giving of your time.

How can being present in the present be the best gift to yourself?

Tonight, I sat at my computer to write this article, after thinking about it for the past couple of days. I open up a Microsoft Word document to begin writing, and I hear my 18 month old daughter standing next to me saying, “Da”. I must admit I have gotten so used to hearing that word that the first time she said it, it went in one ear and out the other. Then again, “Da!” This time I glanced over. When I did, I saw two big, beautiful blue eyes staring at me. I looked at my wife and said, with a chuckle in my voice, “if I am going to write an article about being in the present, I better be in the present.”

I asked my daughter if she wanted me to turn on some music so she could dance. Of course she nodded her head in an up and down motion to cue me to play Silento’s – Watch Me. Within moments we all were smiling, laughing, and basking in the moment. I cannot express the feelings in words that consumed me while watching our daughter dance and shake. Towards the end of the song, she motions for me to pick her up. Being drunk on love and present in that moment, I scoped her up and sat her on my lap.

I have to admit, that moment, that now, was a gift for me! Without being present in the present, I would have not been gifted with that seemingly simple and absolutely amazing moment.  Being present is the best present you can receive, because it leads to moments you can learn from, grow from, and reflect on.

I am slowly realizing that being present in the present is the best present. As we enter this holiday season, I ask you to keep my words in mind. You never know what unwrapped presents are awaiting to be opened if you just take the time.

For the month of December, we will be celebrating the holidays with our 12 Days of Christmas. Be sure to check back for a new holiday piece by a new contributor. 





Colby Ross is a super-duper, awesome father of three even more super-duper, awesome kiddos.  He and his wife reside in the Metro-East area.




Writer's Note: Finally, thank you to Ali Schmeder-Cummins for giving me the opportunity to write.  I hope you all enjoy and will continue to follow her, as she is one fantastic blogger.

Why Santa Brings the Presents at My House

One of my fondest memories of Christmas was when I was six. We lived in a rented house that was decent enough, but certainly not wonderful. My single mother worked two or three jobs, while also raising two children—one with special needs.  Money was tight, but my mom did her best to provide good food, decent clothing and a nice Christmas when she could.

I don't remember much about my 6th Christmas, but I do remember my present from Santa -- a tiger striped bike.

That year, my mom cried so much because we had no money. She filled our stockings with borrowed pencils, paperclips, pens and notepads from her work because she didn’t have a single cent to buy us candy or trinkets.  She did her Christmas shopping at the Good Will, because that’s the only place she could afford to shop at. And in the Good Will, she came across my Christmas bike.

The bike wasn’t in the best condition, but the tires were good (though flat) and the frame didn’t have any serious damage to it. The price was $10.00 -- a good price for a bike, but too much for my mother to afford. Aware that Good Will usually doesn’t barter, my mom tried anyway and asked if the cashier would please take $5.00. To her surprise, he agreed and she bought the bike right then and there.

While we slept, she worked on cleaning the bike up, pumping up the tires and hand painting the tiger-stripes. It was my first bike that didn’t have training wheels and was a golden yellow with true black tiger-like stripes on it. And although it wasn’t brand new like the bikes my friends were gifted,  I didn’t even realize it, because mine had character—no one had ever seen a bike like mine— it was the perfect gift.

To keep the magic of Christmas alive, my mom made the bike from Santa and didn’t tell me until I was seventeen the true story behind the best present I ever received.  Since that Christmas, we’ve become better off and have had larger Christmases with more and bigger presents, but that tiger bike has forever held a special spot in my heart.

Lately, I’ve seen articles and blogs and Facebook posts about Christmas presents and Santa Clause. Some people say you shouldn’t give expensive or big presents from Santa because not all parents can buy the same presents and children won’t understand why “Santa discriminates”, but most children don’t even think of that. Most children are caught up in the magic of Christmas and in the idea of Santa Clause.  The presents -- be they big or small -- are special. Neither my brother nor I felt jilted or discriminated against with our stockings full of borrowed office supplies. We didn’t wonder why we got a used jacket and the people down the road got a new one.

While I don’t remember much about that specific Christmas, I do remember my present from Santa that year—a beloved $5.00 tiger striped bike.

In the end, Christmas is what you and your family make of it.

Check back for more 12 Days of Christmas!

Rachel is a 29 year old wife and mother of 2 children -- one with special and complex needs.

12 Readers Weigh in on How Much Santa Should Bring

For the last year, a mom's Facebook post about gifts from Santa has circulated all around social media. With the Christmas season upon us, the post is -- once again -- making rounds.  In order to prevent children from potentially feeling hurt, the mother requests people consider crediting Santa with only the small gifts and make it known the larger ticket items are from parents.

We asked the readers of Crazy Cakes and Eskimo Kisses what their thoughts were on the mother's request.  Here is what they had to say:


1. Personally, I think the concept of regulating a holiday/character that is fictitious to begin with is doing too much, but I see the sentiment behind the idea.  Life isn't fair, as tragic as that is.

John Haliburton Jr.

2. I think it is always important to be aware of our actions in relations to others.  What consequences do the ripples of our actions cause?  Something to think about and be aware of.
Jackquelyn Wallace

3. I think there's too much managing of other people's business in general going on these days, so I'd probably come down on this being "over the line," but I would hope that families who are more fortunate are raising their children with the knowledge that not everyone has their advantages, and that listing what you got for Christmas in front of anybody but your grandma is not a good move!
Leah Gregory

4. I understand the sentiment but it's a ridiculous request. Santa only brings each of my kiddos one gift, but to expect that other families practice the exact same tradition is unrealistic.
Michelle Cates

5. I agree with this, personally. I see it as if one kid asks for this awesome gift from Santa and another kid does too but only one of them gets it, it leaves the other child wondering "What did I do wrong? What did he do that I didn't do?"
Danielle Lewis

6. I've seen this before and my first thought was "what Santa does in my house is my business," but after reading this again, it makes sense and makes my heart hurt. The last thing I would ever want to do is make a child feel bad. Besides, why should Santa get the credit. ;)
Amber Jones

7. I have noticed through the years that if we give our kids more than 3 or 4 presents, they are totally overwhelmed and they stop caring. So, we try to keep it relatively small, but meaningful. My kids never have outrageous demands and they are not used to insane amounts of gifts. We always make sure they get that one thing on their list that they really want. I guess to each their own, but I want my kids to think Christmas is way more than a gift-fest, and I also want to teach them to be wise consumers.
Danielle Anderson

8. I understand not wanting to hurt another kids feelings, but come on, let's prepare our kids for real life. My family was middle class, and many years, my friends got better stuff -- not because my parents couldn't afford it, but because they didn't believe in buying us every thing we wanted.
Jami Hand

9. We don't do Santa here. He's more like a superhero, princess or Ninja Turtle to my kids. It's a fun story that people tell. A fat guy in a suit doesn't actually break into our house in the middle of the night. I like the idea of everyone having the same 'story' as it were, about Santa and what kinds of presents he gets kids..... But really, the kid who got nothing for Christmas will be just as sad if his friend got a PlayStation from Santa or from his grandparents.
Shelly Thrasher

10. I totally get this, I do, but as a parent my kids believing in the spirit of the holiday and the magic of Santa means a lot to me. We spend every day after Thanksgiving going through our belongings, and then, I bring the kids to the donation center. They understand we have more than others and they know to give back.  And Santa gives them something special we can't. So, while I get it, I am not sure I can abide!
Anonymous Reader

11. We have become a society where everything has to be equal. Why? I'll never forget when I was 8 and all I wanted was a Cabbage Patch doll from Santa. I woke up Christmas morning and there was a present from Santa but no Cabbage Patch doll. I cried and cried and cried. Then, my neighbor came over, and she showed me her Cabbage Patch doll that Santa had given her. I asked mom why she got one and I didn't. My mom told me that Santa can't get everybody their first choice, and I had to go with my second. I totally was okay. If somebody wants to buy all of Walmart and say it is from Santa, they should be allowed. We will buy one gift because this is our tradition. And my kids will be okay because I will teach them to be okay.
Dana Matthews

12. Kids are on Christmas break typically through the first week of January. A child who is still young enough to believe in the magic of Ole St. Nick, probably isn't going to have the mental capacity to run back to school and remember exactly what present under the tree came from Santa and compare their take with the other kids. Secondly, this reeks of the "participation trophy" syndrome. I explain to my 6 year old everyday -- like a broken record -- why I don't allow her to: watch Monster High, wear make-up, drink soda, etc. like some of her friends do. Life isn't fair, and mommy and daddy play by a different set of rules with regards to parenting. And if this becomes the precedent, where does it end?
Josh Hobson

What's your take? Should parents minimize the role of Santa in the gift giving process to protect the feelings of others?


For the month of December, we will be celebrating the holidays with our 12 Days of Christmas. Be sure to check back for a new holiday piece by a new contributor.

4 Truths Your Photographer Wants You to Know This Holiday Season

We all see beautiful family photos on social media, and we get Christmas card worthy shots in the mail every year. Each image makes you say, “Oh, my! How perfect are they?”  You may even feel a little envious as you think about trying to sit your family in front of a camera for that perfect shot. 

What if I told you I can guarantee that two minutes before that perfect shot, the adorable toddler pictured before you was actually throwing a fit and the sweet baby was screaming? And mom, oh man, she probably could have used a glass of wine! 

There are certain things, as a photographer, I know and wish my clients knew before sitting down in front of my camera.  As I wrap up a busy fall and even more busy "Christmas Mini Sessions" season,I am reminded of these things on almost a daily basis.

Here are a few things every photographer knows and wants you to keep in mind for your family holiday shoot:

1. I promise, I am just as excited as you are, and your session is just as important to me as it is to you.

I am a photographer because it is my passion, and it was my passion long before I decided to build a business. The great thing is, I now get to share my passion with so many people! How awesome is that?! The day I stop getting excited and loving what I do, is the day I stop taking appointments. I want nothing more than to have happy clients -- clients who will come back to me year after year.  I feel blessed to be able to capture milestones and memories for you, and I want you to look at your photos years later and smile -- maybe even remember how much fun we had that day! You are important to me because you are the heart and soul of my business; without my clients, I am taking pictures of sunsets and tractors.  Know your session is the only thing on my mind, and it stays on my mind long after you go home and wait patiently for you photos.

2. Take a deep breath, mamma. All kids are crazy.  

I am a mother, I know that your kid is not going to cooperate the entire time we are shooting. And that is OK! I assure you, it only takes 2.2 seconds for me to get a good shot.  The best thing for you to do is relax, just keep looking at the camera and smiling. I promise I will get your little one to look at me long enough to get that perfect shot.  Trust me. If you are tense and worried, neither of us will be happy with the outcome of the photo shoot. The same applies to that furry family member; you look at me, and I’ll get the dog to not look like a misbehaved nut. I know when we all need a break and that provides a perfect opportunity for me to snap those candid shots we all love. Let them run. Let them play. Let them be themselves. You will thank me when you see your beautiful child’s personality shine in that photo.

3. I will spend hours obsessing over your session. Literally.

Post processing is a time consuming task. When I sit down to edit your session, I relive the entire shoot, photo by photo. I sit and stare at your photos until my eyes go wonky. I take a break, and I keep going. In my eyes, your pictures have to be perfect. There are no short cuts, no easy way to provide my best work to you. I was only made aware of how consuming this task is when I started my photography venture. I, like many of you, have sat impatiently waiting for my photos to be done. At times, I even got annoyed with how long it seemed to be taking, Little did I know that as I was obsessing over wanting to see my photos, my photographer was obsessing over making sure they were perfect. As a photographer, my work does not stop when we part ways at your session. I will put in hours upon hours on your photographs. I will give up time with my family to ensure the memories I have captured for you are beautiful.

4. I am anxiously waiting to hear from you after you see the final photographs.

Seriously, it consumes me. I am so excited when I finish a session in its entirety. I am holding my breath hoping you will love them. When I hear back from a client after they have viewed their session, it makes my day! I am in love with what I do, I take pride in my work, and when you take the time to tell me you love them, I jump for joy. My heart smiles when I see my work on your social media and see your friends commenting on what a beautiful family you have, because I think you are beautiful too!

Getting professional photos done is fun! We laugh, we joke, and I capture amazing memories for you and your family to cherish for years to come. This year, when it is time for your annual holiday photos, take a deep breath, relax, enjoy the process. Maybe have a glass of wine! And while you are at, will you bring me a glass too?!




For the month of December, we will be celebrating the holidays with our 12 Days of Christmas. Be sure to check back for a new holiday piece by a new contributor. 

Danielle Buss is a farmer's wife, 
stay at home mom and photographer.
Her work can be found at: 
https://www.facebook.com/daninicolephotos/