ABC, easy as 123.

My Father-in-Law tagged me in this video on facebook tonight:

I can’t stop watching this thing! I’m in love with my son’s cute country accent and his show-stopping performance. But most of all, I’m just shocked that he sang all of this in front of a camera! Somehow, via the magic that is PopPop, Garrett was actually following directions and sang the ABC song ON CUE, ON VIDEO, all while strumming a guitar and putting on quite a little show.

WHATWHAT?

Since my kid is notorious for dodging cameras and not doing a single thing I ask him to do while MY cameras are rolling, I gave this video a standing ovation when I saw it. And I might have shed a few tears.

Because whenever I ask Garrett to do things for my camera, all I get in return are Jersey Shore fist pumps.

Or channeling his inner Adam Sandler.

Then I might get a nice sideways glance shot…

And then a bit of eye contact…

Then some Whatchu talkin bout Willis Duckface…

Oh, look! At least the acorn is in focus.

Then some silliness where he falls off his trike on purpose.

If I’m REALLY lucky, I might snag one quick shot of him laughing at something happening behind the camera with an expression that is a little bit on the Pee-Wee Hermanish side.

And if I bribe him with promises of marshmallows and money and Halloween stash, I get fake grins like these:

Or smirks like this:

Sigh. I guess I’ll take whatever I can get.

But PopPop and Nana? They need to share their secret code to unlocking my kids inner performer. Y’all scored some pure Garrett gold tonight! Thanks for bringing out the best in him. You are both hereby appointed to be Garrett’s personal photographer and videographer. FOR LIFE.

I’ll just stick with shooting subjects who are more easily persuaded by Milkbones and one word commands like Sit. Stay. Look. Wait.