Today, we went to get Claire’s 2-year pictures taken! They turned out really good, and of course, it was hard to choose the best pose.
The way it works at this particular studio is there is no sitting fee, and if you can decide (and stick to) one pose, you can purchase a huge package with an astronomical amount of prints for less than $10. If they can sucker you into buying more than one pose, the price jumps to just this side of $1-million. 
Two years ago, for my baby shower, I had received a gift certificate for a really nice package at another place. I decided to try it out for Claire’s 6-month pictures and it went fabulously! I didn’t use the gift certificate at that time (I’d wanted to use it for her 1-yr photos), and they suckered me into a larger package. (They didn’t even have the cheap-o package there…I refrained from spending $1-million, but it was close.)
So, her 1-yr birthday rolled around, and I took Claire to that place to use the gift certificate. (My hubby’s family was visiting for her birthday, so Granny went with me.) It was an absolute madhouse, and my experience was so bad there that I have trouble even considering going back. Yes, it was the holiday season. Yes, my daughter’s birthday will always be during the holiday season. Still…I just wasn’t impressed. Do you know how hard it is to keep a 1-yr old happy and her white tights clean for TWO HOURS? Even with two very capable adults focused on the task? Difficult. To say the least. And why doesn’t this place offer appointment times? Do angry people add to the charm? Ugh.
But, the photos were fabulous and I used my gift certificate, so I didn’t have to feel as though I’d actually paid to be tortured.
One of my friends told me about the other place (a place that actually allows you to set an appointment! Oh, the concept!) and she let me in on the secret $10 package, so we gave it a shot for Claire’s 18-month pictures. It went so well, that I knew we’d be back for her 2-yr pics. Knowing that the holiday season can put the best of places on their ear, I was prepared. Luckily, the appointment went smoothly!
Here is a sneak peek at our Wall of Claire:
Wall of Claire
She’s barely a day old in this one!
Her 1-yr photo
Her 2-yr photo
The pictures of her at 6-months and 18-months are super-cute too. The 6-month one got bumped for the 1-yr photo, and the 18-month got bumped out of the line-up for the new one. 
And, here is the ice cream cake we’ll be enjoying later tonight…(from the Queen of all that is Dairy, if you must know…):
Mmmm. Ice cream AND cake…all in one! How can you go wrong with that??
In fact, when you ask Claire what today is, she screams, “It’s my birthday-cake!” Ha.
AND…one of Claire’s aunts had a special delivery arrive at our house this afternoon!
Such pretty butterflies, handmade by a local German Bakery!
The festivities are far from over, and actually, they’ve barely begun! I’ll post more pictures of the Unwrapping of the Presents Extravaganza later!
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