First Week Frenzy.....

So, last week was the first week of school up here. State law in Michigan mandates that schools can't start until after labor day. I'm sure it's a lot wordier than that, but there it is in a blunt nutshell.

Thatcher had an assignment that was due on Friday. The typical "ME" bag. He had to bring in a bag with things about himself.

Of course, Thursday night we're trying to get this done. He said his stomach was hurting at dinner, so he laid on the couch while the rest of us ate. After we finished, he perked up and wanted nuggets. (I'm thinking I got played, but it was minimal.) I made his nuggets, or rather warmed them up, and told him we needed to work on this project after he ate to get it done. Thatcher usually swallows his food whole. You know "PASS the teeth and over the gums. Look out stomach here it comes."

I finally found the key into getting him to chew his dinner....tell him he has homework to do. I've never seen him take 30 bites to eat one nugget. So, I start looking at this list. Only 4 things to go in the bag..not too bad. However, one was a family photo. I have TONS of the 3 of them, but none recent of the 5 of us.

Let me run the gammit for a sec:I HATE....I REPEAT...I HATE being photographed. I try to stay out of pictures as much as possible. I just don't photograph well....plus the "average" camera adds 10 pounds, but I always happen upon the atypical camera that adds a good 40.

Needless to say, we were in a bind. It was close to Margaret's bathtime. Jack had gotten a wild hair and jumped in the shower early to get it over with. Thatcher was eating at snail's pace, and Chris was adding apps to his phone.

The next few events were a blur, but the next thing I knew we had the tripod out, camera balanced on top with a book (since we're missing the little piece that connects the camera to the tripod), I'm yelling at everyone to huddle in and SMILE, Jack is complaining that he's already in pajamas for the family picture, Chris sets the timer, jumps in beside me and "CHEEEEEEESSE!"

Whew! What a worldwind. Done!....or not.....Chris was awesome enough to take Margaret upstairs, give her a bath, and put her to bed while I printed the picture...but then...I really wished I would have stuck out my neck... I was seeing a crevice. Not liking my tired eyes, shiny skin....not much I could do about Chris' forced smile. So, I opened up Photoshop Elements and began with the "healing brush". I should probably read more about that part of the editing program because I failed miserably. For your viewing enjoyment, I'm sharing my work......

ATTEMPT #1:

Notice my 5 o'clock shadow. I'm thinking bearded lady at the circus.

ATTEMPT #2:

Apparently, I've been eating chicken with hormones and have grown a partial 3rd eye and another nose.

ATTEMPT #3:

Please, Lord...not a butt chin.

I finally gave up. I printed the original, stuck it in the bag and moved on. It's gonna be a long year.