The Moment When...

...you realize exactly how annoying you are behind the camera.

Samara's camera had been forgotten in the backpack for a month or so.  When I pulled the phone out for a charge this morning, she was thrilled to use it again.  

This morning, we were saying goodbye to Ben as he rode off to work on his bike and talking about how I was going on a bike ride in the evening.  Samara suddenly announced that she NEEDED a picture of me on my bike.  Four minutes later, I realized just how she feels when I take her picture.

Samara: "Ok, Mom.  I need you on your bike and Lizzie to be on mine."  

Lizzie: "No, I'm not do-ing on da bike.  I wanna sit on mama's lap."  

Samara: Sighing "Fine.  She can stay on your lap but I'm getting one of her dolls to go on it."

Me:  "I don't think her doll will be able to sit up on the bike. " 

Samara: "Then I'll just have to use the scooter."  Gets the doll and comes back.  "Now, make a face like you are scared because you can't find the doll.  Uh.  I am going to be LATE for school.  Lizzie, can't you just do what I ask?   Do this with your mouth.  Demonstrates the circle.  Fine.  I got it."

Samara: "Ok, we need one more with the umbrella.  Mom, my bike is falling.  Can you hold it up with your leg?  Hum...that's good.  Mom, you can just set the umbrella down and we'll go to school now."

When Samara saw this picture uploaded she commented, "Uh.  You are covering Lizzie's face with your hand."  Oops! Sorry, Kiddo.  It's really frustrating when someone does that.

The stroller, bike pump, and balloon were also strategically placed.  The rake and lawnmower weren't. She's very much a beginner in photoshop though so she hasn't learned how to remove unwanted items from the picture yet.  We aren't going over that until Grade One.

Lizzie is also a fan of being in charge of the camera.  She asks several times a day for "more cheese", which means she wants me to hand her my phone and turn the camera on.  I have a really awesome phone that is taped together and the picture quality is astonishing.  No smart phone for me until 1) I drop my phone less than 3 times a day and 2) The phone is no longer Lizzie's favorite throw toy.