If The Shoe Fits ...

I love shoes. So many styles to choose from (heels, loafers, flip-flops, sneakers, boots, sandals!), so many colors and materials, and let's face it, they always look good regardless of what the number on the bathroom scale says, or what kind of day your hair is having.

Owen, however, does not yet see the merit of shoes. Sure, he's fine with the very soft soled shoes he's been wearing since coming home - and trying on my shoes. But now that he's walking, running, jumping and climbing, I've decided he needs something with a sturdier bottom for outdoor adventures. Plus they don't make many toddler sized shoes that you can easily scrunch in half.

So we've been on a shoe mission. Several pairs I've tried have resulted in Owen crying and refusing to walk. Today Owen's new Robeez Tredz arrived. As soon as I put them on he started the usual whining and not wanting to stand; determined to prevail (and not wanting to return the shoes to Zappos, even though they do have free shipping), I walked away.

Well, after about 10 minutes of clomping around the kitchen like a mini-Frankenstein, stopping every few steps to lift his arms in the air and cry to be picked up, he finally accepted that he could still walk in these strange new shoes and seemed to be OK.

Sensing victory, I took him to the library and let him loose in the children's area. All good - no crying, no zombie walking. He even picked up a silk flower someone had dropped on the floor and sweetly offered it to a little girl using the computer (she took it from him rather blandly; chivalry is wasted on youth!).

Next stop, the mall for a visit to our favorite fountains, steps and ramps (yes, I know, we go there a lot. There's not much to do in Westminster and it was raining today). Anyway, more happy Owen - more relieved Momma! I think we've finally found a winner!

Now if I can just get him to think that DSW is a fun outing ...