The Perfect Christmas Picture

Every year it's the same. I pick a night to take the Christmas card picture. I put the kids in their brand-spankin'-new Christmas pajamas. I hear some grunts and groans from my oldest, but I win the battle. I pose them in front of the newly trimmed tree, pull over the chair my husband's grandfather made him when John was a little boy. I promise chocolate if they'll be quiet. I promise an evening of television if they'll sit still. I promise a later bedtime if they smile. I promise them candy for dinner if they are quiet, still and smiling all at the same time. And so it goes...

Perfect.