Monday, September 5, 2011

Day 76 New Shoes for School

My plan of doing my school clothes shopping in South Carolina where the crowds would be diffused by now has completely backfired on me. I wasn't able to get the shopping done because other things came up with family and I wouldn't change that for the world. After all, those family events are what brought me so many smiles during my vacation. That being said, shopping on Labor Day which also happens to be the day before school, gets a bit crazy.

I knew what was needed, I had a plan, I got it done. Until I realized that I forgot about my daughter's shoes. She went through some major growth spurts this summer and the shoes that fit just two months ago currently have her toes hanging ten. The dilemma began. 

There isn't a cute pair of size 11 or 12 not-so athletic sneakers within 40 miles of me. I'm pretty sure of that fact as I have called or visited every store outside of the already depleted mall at which I started (the first mall, that is... second mall came later). This task began around 1:00 this afternoon and continued on until I arrived home at 9:15. I finally found a few pairs at that second mall, but by then my daughter was back home getting ready for her first day of first grade. So what do you do when you need to buy shoes for a kid who can't try them on? You buy any and all pairs you remotely find a possible match in her size range, purchasing them in multiple sizes as well, and then hope with all the energy that is somehow lingering in your body that at least one pair fits.


While heading home, after a comfortably warm 80+ degree day, I was informed that the temperature would be dropping tomorrow to a cool 64 degrees. What the... That's not going to work with the pretty little short sleeve dress for my daughter or the shorts and t-shirt for my son! Now what?! Thankfully, my son was set as I bought him new jeans (yep, he outgrow all of those as well this summer). My daughter's jeans would need a belt and her new shirt would need a sweater. I was  so beat and I was ready for my own little meltdown. I did stop by another store, picked up a sweater, but no belt was to be seen. I reassessed the situation, again, and changed the plan back to the dress, a different sweater, and some white leggings. Hopefully, it will come together. 

Now, how does this play into my daily smiles? I'm exhausted! I've been all over hill and dale and barely made it home in time to kiss my kids goodnight. I still had preparations to accomplish at home as well and this blog to continue. What brought me through this Labor Day shopping disaster of a day? At one point in the day, my daughter, who always whines and complains when shopping, looked up to me and said "I'm not tired today at all! I'm excited! I'm excited for my first day of school tomorrow!" And for the first time in I can't remember how long, she hadn't complained about being tired or ready to go home. She really was excited! She was also nervous, but looking forward to this day with a big smile on her face. She skipped along through the mall all afternoon. God love her! So her smile and excitement got me through my day. I may not have smiled the whole day, but I knew how much she was smiling. That's all I needed.  

8 comments:

  1. Kelly, I often long for the days when my kids were young enough that they didn't need to try clothes or shoes on. Today was the first cool day here in Tennessee and my daughter wasn't happy about having to wear a sweater which would cover up her favorite short-sleeved shirt. I think this is just the start of many Fall clothing battles to come. You were very brave to venture out on Labor Day to shop. I didn't have the patience.

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  2. I love your blog posts. When I was reading this blog posts I thought about what my mother must have went through with me.

    I have big feet for a girl, but I'm 5'11 now at the age of 25. I was always the tallest in my class. She always said how hard it was for her to find me shoes because at the age of 11-12 I had big feet.

    I will be following your blog--I'm from VB.

    www.charmiesmind.com

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  3. Kelly I would be more than willing to mail you shoes. Thus far that size is easy to find here in Kansas (my daughter is the same size). Bejeweled Sketchers from Target, anyone?

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  4. I try so hard not to fall into that trap because my mom use to be like that and I hated it, but it never fails that there is always one thing I end of having to get and then it is impossible. I was so proud of myslef because I had everything ready, all supplies bought new clothes laid out, and then I realized I forgot to buy socks for my duaghter so she endd up wearing her brothers whit gym socks, like bobby socks, she looked cute but I felt so bad!! Still all three looked so sweet and nervous and excited, I had to smile!! Thanks for your great post! Hope they had a wonderfu first day! I have a first grader too!! Such a fun age!! Take care!

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  5. How sweet that your daughter's smile and excitement is what got you through your day. Our children really have a way with us, don't they? :) My daughter went back to school last week and we still need to get her a pair of casual dress shoes that she can wear with tights and skirts. The problem is everything was so picked over during back to school shopping that we couldn't find a pair she liked, in her size. So we've been holding off for a few weeks and will try again.

    So happy to connect with you through voiceboks.

    Blessings,
    Rosann
    http://www.christiansupermom.com/

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  6. Thanks for stopping by ladies!

    Pam-- my daughter's the same way! Would rather freeze than wear pants instead of a dress, sweater instead of a cute tank!

    Charm--I've always had skis for feet! And they got bigger with each pregnancy. Who knew that happened?!

    Rebecca-- I should have gone shopping there! I still would've gotten home in about the same amount of time.

    Kathy-- I so tried to be prepared! I had everything except the clothes and I was going to get those in SC, but plans changed and that certainly threw a curve ball at me. But all ended well. The kids looked great! Glad all ended well with your kids too!

    Rosann-- I don't plan on shopping for some time now. I've had enough! I'll hold off until there's more in stock too!

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  7. My daughter isn't in school yet, but she just outgrew her shoes, too, and I had to search everywhere through Target to find a pair that would fit her! haha. Back to school shopping is horrible.

    Stopping by from vB. :)

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  8. Oh my gosh, Chloe! I tried every Target, Kohls, Stride Rite, you name it w/in 45 miles. It was crazy!

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