I’m so excited to kick off this link up today. I’m not sure if I’ll have two people join me or twenty, but either way, I can’t wait to do this & see what happens.
WHAT IS THE “BEHIND THE SCENES” LINK UP?
Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We’re edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves (or so some might think!) when – in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It’s because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner.
“Behind the Scenes” is a fun link up where we show those photos – but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it.
You’re invited to join in – we’ll write up our posts & link up on Tuesdays!
Read more here!
The Photo:
The Story:
We took her to the greenhouse with a plan. Experience told us that there would be no carts to ride in, and the stroller we attempted to use on our first trip was an epic failure. Hubs & I put our heads together and light bulbs went off: “The backpack!”
Now, for those of you who do not have incredibly active, stubborn, independent, strong-willed toddlers in your house, please look the other way as I describe the BEST part of this backpack. It has a leash for a tail. Oh yes. Snap the kid in the cute fuzzy teddy bear backpack and off she goes, while mommy or daddy follows at a safe distance, tail in hand.
We walked through the crowded, busy, slightly chaotic parking lot with no problems. Oh we had a winner here! We were practically skipping through the entrance to the greenhouse, imaging the glory that was about to unfold. How cute she would be, helping to carry the plants! Hmm..maybe we should grab a basket?
No.
Don’t ever get a basket when shopping with a toddler.
You’re welcome.
She decided it was HER basket and no one was allowed to carry it, touch it, look at it sideways, or -heaven forbid – offer to help. She pushed, pulled, and dragged that basket around the greenhouse. By standers thought it was either so adorable that she wanted to help, or looked at us like we were monsters forcing our toddler to work for her tomato plants. I may have had a momentary lapse of judgement when I suggested we put the plants IN the basket. Oh no, that didn’t make it too heavy for her. Nope. She wasn’t dumping dirt all over the floor or struggling to maintain her balance. Oh she might have had those issues but she was not letting anyone see her weakness! Stand back, world!
Hubs snapped the photo above & I shared it on Instagram & Facebook. So cute! Look at the backpack! What a helper!
Two minutes after this photo was taken? Meltdown of epic proportions. We had to … gasp .. pay for our plants, which meant daddy had to take the basket. Last time I checked, toddlers don’t carry wallets or checkbooks so she was out of luck there.
Insert Vulcan death grip. Melting legs. Head on the floor, fingers wrapped around the basket holes and screaming like we were trying to drown her best friend. Up over my shoulder she went, kicking & crying through the front of the VERY crowded store.
So there you have it. The “Behind the Scenes” look 🙂 I hope you’ll join me & link up!
I absolutely LOVE this!!! I sure with I could remember some of my stories, but instead I just shared this with my little following on Facebook. Maybe someone there will be able to add to your great theme! Thank you!!!
I soooo love this idea!! Thanks for coming up with it. I love reading all the stories that go behind the photos.
Ok the toddler tantrums are not something I miss. However, 20 year old daughters do still have meltdowns that mom deals with.
PS I love this link up idea and you. .
Love this idea! I’m looking forward to reading so many great moments!
This is a great story! She is so adorable, and she looks completely innocent in this picture. Hence the naming of your link up… behind the scenes. Love it!
Ok – whew! I made it! I’ll be sure to visit everyone else this evening after the kids go to bed!
Have so been there with the tantrums 🙂 I never get cute pictures before or after, though, it seems 😉 Thanks for this linkup, Crystal!!!
LOL…brings back memories of some seriously stubborn toddler days here. One of our big things was the library basket. Little tiny girl, huge basket of heavy books, stubborn spirit like no other, and all the stares from people thinking how horrible we were for making that tiny thing carry all those books! We still deal with it today…our 13 y/o is a Type A with OCD tendencies who can’t abide the way anyone else puts groceries in the back of the van. So…we go to Sam’s and buy two carts full of groceries and then we all sit in the van while she organizes them just so. I’m always imagining what the passersby are thinking, and wishing I could tell them all, “She INSISTS on doing it all herself!” 😀
I know, right? There’s some stubborn toddler terror under all that cuteness 😉
So glad you linked up Christin! Can’t wait to read through everyone’s posts later 🙂
Yay!
lol…oh thank you for sharing & letting me know that I’m not alone 🙂
{{hugs}} thanks girl 🙂 and glad I could make you laugh today!
I can only imagine the stories I’ll get to write as she becomes a teen…sigh..at least she’s getting me ready now!
Would love to have you link up next week! Yay 🙂
lol I didn’t even think of offering to pay for the basket…she has a toy one that we might take along next time (it’s more her size & can go home with us)!
Priceless. Those days were so difficult, but they make for such great stories. 🙂 But how could she have melted down? She is just the sweetest looking doll! 🙂
Oh yes. I linked up a post from last week that is apparently pretty popular. But you are not alone!
Oh I’ve been there. More than once with both kids. Love this idea and I’m hoping to link up later.
Oh my – yes, I can relate too. I should have taken a picture of my attempt to take three kids to my chiropractor appointment yesterday. (Yes, ALL three kids…WHAT was I thinking???) My husband says, “Just take them with you – no big deal!” and the chiropractor, who had seen the oldest two with my husband before said, “They were so quiet then.” Yeah, that was a BIG vote of confidence for this mom…
I’m hoping to link up later – just have to find the perfect photo and story. Because I know I have PLENTY more. 😉
Ha!! LOVE this! Laughed the whole way through this post. Oh, I’ve been there (right down to the looks!).
And I’ve been to your page before so I know I’ve seen your key verse, but today it really *hit* me. “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 Thank you for refreshing my soul.
Haha! That is awesome! And yes…I can relate. My girls have passed toddler stage but sad to say we still have meltdowns just as awkwardly embarrassing on occasion. 🙂
Oh sweet heavens. This made me laugh, because I felt every minute of your pain. Oy! I don’t have a post to share today, but I’d love to link up next week!
Awesome…I love it. How funny that, just yesterday, I offered to actually purchase the shopping basket we’d been using to keep me daughter from throwing the inevitable, holy fit, but the cashier told me no. He, clearly, has never been the parent of a toddler. 😉 (I’ll be back later today to link up!)