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.
The Photo:
The Story:
She looks so sweet, doesn’t she? I could very easily see myself using this photo in a blog post about encouraging mamas, or the joy of motherhood, or the sweetness of childhood. My little girl, all snuggled up with her pillow (aka “mat”), baby doll, and blankie in her car seat – a perfect angel on a long car ride.
Ahem.
Or I could post it here and let you into the “before” of this story. An early morning wake up due to an overly soggy set of pjs. Nothing starts your day off nicer than going in for that morning snuggle and coming away with a lap full of someone else’s…sogginess. Piling in the car to head out on an fun-filled day with our favorite people, off to see lions, bison, camels and more at a local-ish wildlife preserve. Really. What could go wrong?
Nothing. Unless you happen to be traveling with a toddler. The poor kid is on medicine to clear up a cough she’s had for months and I’m pretty sure it’s giving her the appetite of a teenage boy. The child has eaten non-stop for days. DAYS I tell you. So clearly her breakfast of fruit and cereal before we left the house, plus a donut at grandma’s just could not possibly sustain her for the intense hour and 20 minute drive we had ahead of ourselves.
Oh no.
She needed snacks.
Dying for snacks.
Wasting away to nothing and MUST HAVE SNACKS.
Have no fear! Mommy is prepared! I had snacks – and not just one snack. A variety of snacks. Options to meet all of her snacking needs. Hungry for a squishy applesauce? We’ve got that. Want animal crackers instead? No worries, we’ve got those too. Looking for something a little more savory? Pretzels, FTW.
She wanted none of the snacks. The options were unacceptable. Unacceptable, I tell you! Life was ending, tears were shed. Toddler screams were heard by dogs all along the highway for miles. Finally…sweet Jesus…finally, she settled on the squishy applesauce and we thought our biggest fears were behind us. Oh but then. THEN! She finished the applesauce and demanded MORE snacks! Because brilliant, wise and beautiful mommy had made the mistake of showing her ALL THE CHOICES and she knew there was more food. No amount of lying, distracting, or flat-out “no”-ing was changing her mind that she needed more food.
I refused to give in.
She melted down.
I handed her the blankie.
She threw it like she was training for an Olympic level softball team.
And then immediately had a fit because she HAD TO HAVE BLANKIE.
Somewhere in there she took a deep breath, hid her face in her pillow, and let her eyes stay shut. Asleep. Beautifully, blessedly asleep – holding mommy’s hand – for the rest of the car ride.
And the first words out of her mouth when she woke up?
“Hungry!”
Alright friends! It’s your turn to link up. Now, remember the number one rule of a fun linky- make sure you visit the person who linked up before you & leave them a little love on their post! (even if you just say “hey! great photo – stopping over from Crystal Stine’s blog!…it’s ok..you can copy/paste that. I won’t tell.)
Crystal-
I’m sitting here with a three-month-old in my arms. Today they’re dry snuggles. I can’t wait for the drama that is to come. Cherish every moment, right? 😉
I would share my big cheese bowl and chips with that sweet girl….sounds like she and I might have a great understanding of each other 🙂
Oh… I know this!!! I remember this! And when they do turn into teenagers the lament becomes “There’s nothing to eeeeeeeaaaaaat!!” Never mind that the fridge full of food – but if it takes any effort on their part to prepare it (a.k.a. if doen’t come out of a can, a box or a plastic wrapper and can’t been nuked in 90 seconds or less) it’s not good enough. Loved seeing this picture yesterday and loved the behind the secenes story today!
I know, right?! I thought we had at LEAST another year..sigh…pass the coffee 😉
lol i think there is a secret FB group for toddlers where they plan this stuff 😉
I have LIVED this, friend, lived it! Oh, and it’s only just beginning for yours is still a wee one. Now to find the perfect picture for my post….
Bahaha! Loving this…I think she and my Mae must have secret conversations behind our backs because, yep, this is my three year-old. She and I did a six hour road trip on Sunday…in fact, I’m pretty sure the throwing-the-blankie incident happened, just as you described, in our minivan, too. And it’s so easy for this mama to bend her body to reach said blanket while I’m driving down the freeway, too… Oy, they sure give us fun things to write about don’t they? 🙂 Have a great day, friend!
It’s funny the things we celebrate now that’s we’re parents..like dry snuggles 😉
I think we have to laugh at them to survive 🙂
Crystal – this totally cracks me up, because I’ve been there… a million times! Your post had me chuckling and nodding with every word. I’m knee-deep in the craziness that is having a 3 year old (and boy is it crazy!!), yet I’m so thankful that I can still look back at past tantrums and laugh. 🙂
I am still laughing at the “sogginess!” Been there so many times! Brilliantly told! I love this link up!