shoes

On the last day of Kindergarten I took Donovan with me to run a few errands. We went to Gander Mountain to get a fishing license in preparation of our upcoming trip to the lake. Always a sucker for a good deal, I was drawn to the shoe rack marked "clearance". I found a pair that I liked in my size and decided to grab them. I knew I was pressing my luck with Donovan. Toting a 4 year old boy around on boring errands is a fast way to use up his reserve of good behavior. So I bought them without trying them on.

Even on clearance, $60 is a lot of money for me to spend on a pair of shoes. I have to really like them, they have to fill a purpose that my other shoes do not, and they have to feel good when I wear them. For a week the shoes sat on my counter. I really liked them. I mean I really, really liked them. I knew they would be durable and great in all kinds of weather. They were attractive in a funky sort of way. I liked what shoes like that would say about me.

But here's the kicker, they didn't feel good. Yes, they were the right size, but the right one felt too narrow and the left one rubbed painfully on my ankle bone. Plus they seemed to look more dorky than funky on me. I wore them around the house for an hour, hoping they would get better with time. I told myself, "maybe they just need to break in a little". I wanted them to feel good.  I wanted them to be a perfect fit.  I wanted them say to the world, "here's an out-doorsy, hip, yet sensible girl." But no amount of time would make them feel better. I finally admitted defeat. I knew they would just end up stuck in my closet never seeing the light of day. They went back to Gander Mountain the next day.

Sometimes, no matter how much you want it, the shoe just doesn't fit.

what we did

today...

last week...

last month...

call to action

Here's another video, but this one's pretty serious.  It moved my heart, but will it move me to action? 

need a laugh?

Check this out.  I laughed so hard!

preparation

While I was busy packing for our trip to Mexico Olivia decided to make her own list of essential items.  I just came across it a couple of days ago and it sure made me smile.  I especially love how nearly every item has a drawing to accompany it.  And there is a special area to remind us to take bunny to a friend's house for the week.  Can you tell that she just learned about apostrophes?  Hope you can read it! 

Here's the translation:
sunscreen
pjs
blankies
swimsuits
clothes
posh toys (stuffed animals)
toys
my barbies
books
movies
floaties (for swimming)
cars mat
cars
babies
crayons
coloring books
lip gloss

vacation

At the end of February the kids and I few to Cancun to spend a week vacationing with my parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew.  The kids were super psyched to see "actual palm trees with actual coconuts", the long white beach and myriad of pools.  They were both shocked by the taste of salty ocean water which Olivia described as "totally disgusting", but that didn't keep them out of the water for too long.  When asked about their favorite part of the trip Olivia said "swimming in the pool and ocean every day."  Donovan said "mommy's Kindle".  Silly boy.  Seriously though, they especially has a ball with their cousin Sam who is just the sweetest little boy.  It was a fun and relaxing trip with no agenda except to have fun and relax.  And thanks to frequent flier miles and my parent's time-share condo it was just about the cheapest vacation ever.

full circle

This weekend I...

• mourned at a funeral
• danced at a party
• stayed up late
• went to bed early
• had a lazy morning cuddling my kiddos on the couch
• had a productive afternoon (4 loads of laundry & a batch of soup)
• did my taxes
• caught up on The Office with a glass of wine

It's been a full circle kinda weekend.  How was your weekend?