The infamous, and seldom perfect, family portrait. God bless mothers who schedule and prepare for these special but tortuous events! 
The image above was the first “real” family portrait my parents had made. My younger sister was around 2, my older sister was about 9 and I was probably 6. I liked to smile – can you tell?
Getting us all dressed and ready for the portrait was quite an ordeal, as most family portraits are. I still remember that day, and the argument my mom and older sister had about the little black tie that was supposed to tie around her neck. Her outfit was identical to mine, so you can see the tie that she should have been wearing. I do not remember her exact reason for not wanting to wear the tie, but she was adamant about it and seeing how she’s not wearing it in the picture, I guess my mother relented.
Too funny….As I was once, long ago, the little girl in the photo that was adamant about not wearing the bow tie, I will honestly tell you that I have no memory of the argument you mention. I have always wondered why my shirt was open flat on my neck. At least, there is not a fuzzy friend on my shoulder (family joke).
Love,
Kirstie
Amanda, oh my goodness, I think we have the identical family photo, only in ours I’m the oldest with the teenage scowl.