Friday, September 19, 2008

Moving on from the Hairy Belly

This picture has nothing to do with anything, but I needed to get your attention off the previous post. Apparently if you post pix of hairy bellies everybody in the ward wants to talk about it. Anyway, thanks for the nice comments (and as for some of the not-so-nice comments....that really could have been my pre-baby belly! If you squinted really hard and were standing far away. In the dark.)

But the big news besides that other big news we're done talking about, is that Mitch is getting new shoes!! Wahoo for him!

Why is this big news? Because technically, as the second boy, he doesn't need new shoes. He is blessed to be the frequent recipient of smelly, already worn, slightly ugly shoes from his older brother. This has been a fairly smooth transition until recently. For some reason Mitch has not wanted to wear the next hand-me-downs, and instead is wearing his sandals everyday to school. But it's getting colder and his sandals seem to be shrinking and little boys need to wear shoes if they are going to be good competition in chasing girls at recess.
My issue is always the bottom line. Why buy new shoes if there are a pair of shoes that would work? Shouldn't he just be grateful to have shoes to wear? Even if they have Ike's foot germs in them? I just couldn't justify buying him new shoes. We would just have to come up with creative ways to make him wear them. Involving grounding and magical powers that kill Ike's germs.

This is the part of the story where Hub comes in and saves the day. He is why the kids get Happy Meals on occasion and more presents at Christmas and on Birthdays than they would otherwise get. He said, "Just get the poor kid a new pair of shoes for once." That was it. Done deal. Decreed from the man who makes the money. Hopefully Mitch will love his new pairs of shoes so much that he doesn't notice he's wearing Ike's old pants and shirt....

12 comments:

TisforTonya said...

some people would call that "cheap" some would say "frugal"... I will go with "practical" and feel slightly badly for Po that he never gets any new footwear... okay, not true, now that they're getting older - there's nothing left of the shoes to pass down, they're a little rough on tennis shoes these days!

cold cocoa said...

Sometimes you do need a push from the husband. However, now you'll have and excuse to go buy a pair of shoes for you as well. Famous Footwear's BOGO 1/2 off online, free shipping and a 20 percent off coupon online! I'll have to show you the shoes I just bought..don't tell Russell!

LC said...

I love L's response. 2nd children need special attention too. He'll always remember his one and only new pair of shoes!
Brynn got a pair of strawberry shortcake light up shoes for her daddy date. I would have talked her out of those but not dad. He let her choose whatever and she is one happy girl.

The Allreds said...

Congrats Mitchell. I was a "hand-me-down-Rose" too! Sometimes it makes you feel Important to buy SOMEthing NEW from the store, just for YOU!
I can't wait to see the shoes! Hope you pick out the coolest pair you can find! After reading lc's response I hope your DAD takes you out shopping : )

lkm said...

The man's perspective:
How does my comment of "just get the poor kid a new pair of shoes for once" turn into an "excuse" (from C.C.) for Wife to buy a pair of shoes for herself? That is some tricky woman spinning that I just don't understand. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

But, I am all for Wife getting new shoes when she wants. She is frugal enough for me to have no worries over such matter.

DKAZ said...

Glad you "broke" down and bought the poor kids some shoes. Are you going to Nordstrom's or Bloomies?

Anonymous said...

Poor A, she has to wear B's old boy tennis shoes to pre-school in her hand-me-down clothes. I did break down and buy her some clearance shirts since all of the ones she owns have cuts (from her finding the scissors), rips, or stains (from anything and everything). She looked neglected and I didn't want social services knocking at my front door now that she is in public.
On a happier note, your writing style always gives me a laugh-out-loud chuckle. Thanks for the happy start to my day.

Sherie Christensen said...

Jake hasn't gotten his own dress shoes yet, but Connor wears tennis shoes until they are barely there any more. I do feel sorry for Kayli sometimes and buy her new shirts even though she has a zillion from her older sisters. She really likes to pick her own things now and then.

Denise H. said...

Porr little Mitch having to wear stinky shoes from his brother. I think that I would have refused them as well.

I am sure he will LOVE his new ones!

hOLLIANN said...

So my sisters always had these fabulous clothes that I was dying to have as hand me downs(but never got)...so maybe that is the trick. Don't get him anything, and then he will think what his brother has is fab, and be dying for it! Problem solved on so many levels!

Kristi Birchett said...

my isaac will get his very first ever pair of new sunday shoes, as I can only find one of the next size up in austin's old ones. After sitting for 5 years, one has dissapeard. (or maybe isaac has gotten wise and hidden it) either way, I'm sure it will show up as soon as I buy a new pair.

Kristi Birchett said...

BTW that last comment was from kristi b. I didn't really mean for the name to come up that way. obviously, I have no idea what I am doing.