Birthday Boys

Since the boys' birthdays fall within a month of each other, we get their birthday pictures done at the same time. In the past, after the photographer has done his work and Jeremy and I select the pictures we want, we go next door to get ice cream while the pictures are printing. Keeping this in mind, I set an appointment for last Saturday, mid-morning, so that we would finish just in time for lunch. We got the boys up in enough time for them to watch some cartoons, eat breakfast, bathe, get dressed, and head out the door. Once we arrived, Riley decided he wanted no part in having his picture taken, so we asked the photographer to start with Connor. We hoped as Riley watched Connor have his picture taken, he would warm up and be a bit more accommodating. Oh no. He had a complete and utter meltdown when we tried to get him in front of the camera. We ended up rescheduling for today to give it another shot. I knew we'd be back on the same side of town anyway for Rita's birthday party. We still went for ice cream afterwards, but Riley didn't get any since the ice cream was supposed to be a treat for getting their pictures taken.  We're so mean!  Getting the boys ready this morning didn't go quite as smoothly as last week, but we were still able to make it to our appointment early. Riley had promised all week he would cooperate. Of course, I'm sure a little thing called bribery helped him make that promise. The thought of ice cream was more than he could bear! With that said, when they called us into the studio it was his turn right away since Connor's pictures had already been taken. He was on the brink of another meltdown, so I suggested Jeremy get down on the floor for a few shots with the boys to help Riley get the hang of it. Of course I promised Jeremy nobody would EVER see any of those pictures.

The trick worked.  Riley was ready to go.  The photographer ended up taking a total of 136 pictures.  It was difficult to narrow down our choices.  As usual, some of my favorites are the candid photos where they were not posing.

CONNOR

 

 

RILEY

 

 

 

OUR BOYS

 

 

When we were done getting the boys' pictures taken, Jeremy left with Connor to drop him off around the corner at Skate City for Rita's birthday party.  When he came back, as we promised, we took Riley next door to ColdStone.  Unfortunately, since it was only 10:00, they weren't open yet.  We suggested to Riley that we could come back after Rita's party.  Surprisingly, he was just fine with that.  Every now and then throughout the party, he would turn to me and remind me that we were going to get ice cream after the party.  True to our word, after the party we stopped back by and let each of them pick out their ice cream.  Riley practically licked his cup clean.