Henry had a soccer game today, which was awesome, because my boy scored his first goal! This was big news considering he’s now in the 6 & under group, where he is one of the smallest and youngest kids. Anyhow, we also had a friend’s birthday party this morning, at the same time as his team pictures.
So, we skipped pictures.
I was so relieved actually. I had to run the decision by a few people to be sure I wasn’t being a terrible parent by opting out of these photos, but seriously.
And I tried not to wonder or care what the coach thought of me when I called him to inform him that we wouldn’t be there…because we were busy eating pirate cake…
Henry plays 4 sports/year, and at $22 for the Economy option times 3 kids (assuming they will all play sports), we are looking at investing a cool $264/year in crappy photos. You get this big pic of your kid, and his adorable little team, and about a bazillion wallets taken by someone who may or may not care if your kid looks completely ridiculous in his photo, that ends up on the fridge, and then you eventually find stashed away in the lego bin, covered in who knows what kind of food goo, or probably boogers, but I like to tell myself it’s food.
I kept scanning the order packet for the “minimalist” or “mama don’t care” package for $10 that would surely contain a more sane number of photos…but to no avail.
We were super excited to get them the very first season, but considering this is his second time playing soccer in one year, I decided to save the money, and also stay at the birthday party a lot longer.
I felt a little guilty at first, and then realized that, in the end, I really value the relationships that Henry is making with these buddies at the party more than I valued him being there for pictures.
Plus, you guys. I love my kid to death, but those little wallets from previous seasons are EVERYWHERE. We send them to the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and babysitters, but we still have approximately 456,000 left from the first round of soccer as well as T-ball.
So anyhow, here’s my Saturday confession: we didn’t order or even show up for team soccer pics today.
Boom.
It’s actually extremely freeing, I highly suggest it.
So now, I’m all Maclemore up in here with $20 in my pocket…plus, it’s not like I don’t take a million pictures of my kids that are way cuter anyway…as I *ahem* am just now realizing that I’ve yet to take one of Henry in his current soccer uniform…Lord have mercy.
Anyway, like Jim Gaffigan said “I have more pictures of my kids than my dad every looked at me.”
Preach Jim.
And also, someone, please, send me Pinterest ideas of what the heck to do with all of the tiny trophies.
live well. be well.
