Enough with that Camera, Lady!

At home on a recent evening, I noticed how nice the light was coming in through our sliding glass doors. We don't get many good-light evenings in our east-facing apartment, and I was excited to experiment a little bit with my camera.

Of course, I had a gorgeous subject right at my disposal. Right?

Maybe not. As a friend has often wisely pointed out, nothing can ever be perfect. Or not as we planned perfection anyway.

The following paraphrases the conversation between me and Caroline as I tried to take her picture. Liberties may have been taken with the exact dialogue, but you get the gist:

Hey Caroline!

"Hi Mommy"

Oh no. The camera again?
Can't you see I'm having a snack and trying to unwind?

Come on, Caroline. Show me your pretty smile. I bet you can't laugh!

I'm not smiling mommy [but I look pretty anyway]

Can you look at the camera?

No way

Please? Can't I take your picture?

Put the camera down!

Caroline!

Okay Mommy. But I'm trying to watch Ni Hao, Kai Lan.

Ah yes, important stuff. Just one smile?

Okay. I will show you my fish face and my wild hair, but that's it.

So maybe I didn't get anything we'll frame for the wall. Still worth it for the record of my smart, sweet, spunky child and her bursting-at-the-seams personality.

How could you not love everything about this kid?