Most of our Christmas card attempts look something like this

Eyes askance! Muppet smile!

It's like they conspire in advance. Their cardinal rules go something like this.

1. DON'T LOOK AT THE CAMERA! Mom'll hate that - it'll be great.

2. You smile for the first 15 pictures, I'll smile for the last 20.

3. If we stick this out, mom'll give up. We can do this!