I have issues, in fact I have shared one of those issues before.
According to my children though, I have a lot of issues. One particular issue that I have only manifests itself three times of year – Easter, Christmas and the Week of the Family Photo.
This issue is – the need to have my children’s Easter/Christmas/Family Photo outfits match or coordinate. Now you would think that with children ages 14, 18, 22 and 24 I would be way beyond that - but I’m not. In fact I spent a fair amount of time at the mall today trying to find “coordinating” Easter outfits for my girls.
We are going with a yellow, black and white color scheme if you’re interested.
Several years ago they put their foot down and refused to wear matching outfits – go figure!
My excuse for this issue though is that it is in the genes. Look at this picture of my sister and I from 1970….
And then there was this one from Easter of the same year…
You see my mother had the same problem – the “Matching/Coordinating Outfit” gene. So of course it was only natural that when I got married and started a family that the gene would kick into gear….
Yes, I made these cute little linen suits for my sweet boys. Then baby #3 arrived and it was a girl so we branched out into coordinating outfits…
And Baby #4 arrived….
Aren’t they cute!
As soon as Baby #4 got a little older and I could find matching dresses for the girls – guess what?
Soon the boys got older and their standard Easter outfit became a white shirt and tie but I still had the girls….
I guess eventually, one day when the children are all grown up and gone from home, I will have to overcome my “Matching/Coordinating Outfit” issue but until then I’ll keep making those trips to the mall.
And then – someday- there will be grandkids!
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have 6 1/2 BBG triplets and a 5 yr old girl. I match and/or coordinate 2x/year: Christmas and Easter. So it’s not just you. There’s nothing quite as sweet as two little girls on their way to church on Easter morning in matching dresses and bonnets. And mine, thankfully, are still young enough to still agree!
Tina
Oh, and I wanted to add that you have an amazingly good looking family! Both as children and now as adults.
Tina, so glad I’m not alone. In a few years when I have no one left at home to coordinate outfits for – call me – I’ll help you! My husband will be grateful and that way he won’t have to start wearing matching outfits with me!!
I understand!!! My Mom made us matching Christmas Dresses when I was 7 or 8…. and now I try to at least coordinate the family for the Holidays knowing there are going to be a ton of photos… I’ve taken it too the next level though, I try and coordinate it with the papers I want to use for their pages… (This year it is a spring green color… ) My oldest is already arguing with me about what he wants to wear…. With 3 “men” to dress and only 1 female it shouldn’t be this hard…
Oh my gosh those pictures were adorable, I love it. Your kids are great sports
Laura
How WONDERFUL! I miss being able to do that! Have a glorious Easter!
You are not alone! The boys and I just made our semi-annual trip to Washington Square to get new shoes at Stride Rite (worn out of the store) and new matching shirts at Gymboree (worn out of the store) and down to the picture taking area with the Easter Bunny! (Of course at Christmas, it’s Santa.) Pictures with clashing clothes or wild hair just aren’t as fun to look at (or to scrap) and to admire for the long haul. Your eyes just go to the things you don’t like. Keep up your attempts to make the best pictures you can!
It’s funny that you mention this….
with four girls and then a little boy, the girls coordinated for many years… but then, when boy came along… not so much. They did rebel if I tried to get colors going. Soooo, recently at Katie’s wedding, SHE decided everyone needed to coordinate on several levels. Which, of course is normal, but she was almost fanatic and we teased her a bit. It was cute/scary to see a that part of me in her!
I loved looking at the matchy match through the ages! And I knew I related to you! I match my 4 kids whenever possible (and definitely on Easter and Christmas) and I soooo feel your picture taking pain.
Do you know that this year I actually got my 3 boys (and husband) to wear pink ties to coordinate with their sister and I. I think you get away with something like that only once in a lifetime.