New Shoes

Went to the mall today with the boys (of course with the boys. Why do I write "with the boys" when I never go anywhere without them? Doh!) and we went to a kid's shoe store called Olly's. They have a little scanner on the floor that hooks up to a computer. Little kids stand on the scanner in bare feet and hey presto, the bottoms of their cute little feet appear on the computer screen. The shop assistants then click on the outer edges of various points on the foot and the computer tells us exactly what size their feet are. Kind of cool. Although I just loved seeing the squidgy soles of Will and Owen's feet on the screen. I wish I'd asked for a screenshot! Hmm...we do have a scanner upstairs....But I digress. Will's feet are a size 6 1/2 and Owen's are a size 6.

So we tried on a couple of pairs of big boy shoes, since all they've been wearing are Robeez. My dad and Farah have sent them the cutest pairs of boots, but they're just a little too big for the boys right now - another couple of months and they'll be great for the park. But for now, we need something for walking in the mall and playing at the drop in centres.

They tried on some very cute New Balance runners, but the boys are so used to wearing soft soled shoes they kind of clomped around in those. It was pretty funny to see them walking around the store, testing the shoes. Owen was more interested in making a break for it (early signs of kleptomania?) whereas Will was quite happy to walk around, looking down at his feet the whole time. In the end we went with a pair of Robeez Tredz (what can I say, I'm brand loyal), which were just a little closer to what they're used to, but still suitable for outside play. Owen was not impressed at all and cried when the shoes were on, although he did walk well in them.

Will however, didn't want to take them off, and ended up wearing them in the stroller once we'd paid for them. He then spent the next hour waving his feet in the air at any passersby and clicking his heels together. He was very happy with his new shoes. Whenever I said "do you like your new shoes, Williebear?" he'd smile and look down at his feet and knock them together or wiggle them around. He was so in love with them that I decided to let him out of the stroller for another test run. So I held his hand and pushed Owie in the stroller with the other hand and we wandered around the mall for about 15 mins. Owen was a little annoyed that he wasn't allowed out, but he actually held it together pretty well until it was his turn to walk with mummy. He was a little more keen on not holding onto my hand and running away, but we worked it out eventually ("Mummy will put you back in the stroller if you let go, Owen!" Meanwhile, Will stared at his new shoes and would occasionally lean out of the stroller to watch Owen's progress.

I have to say, my kids are very very patient. I think we'll be doing the walk with mummy in the mall one at a time thing again. And maybe next time Owen will wear his new shoes too!