houston, we have a SHOE problem!

For the record, I do not particularly LOVE shoes.  I like them, but I'm more of the kind of girl that finds a pair she likes and wears them until a.  they either fall apart or b.  they are so out of fashion one of my sisters has to come to my rescue, tie me down and forcefully take them away.  I'd wear flip flops every day if I could.  Don't get me wrong....I like to add a little excitement here and there, but I also try to be aware of the fact that I am six foot two.  Adding even two inch heels makes me close to freakishly tall.  And let's not even go there with the bad ankles...

I digress.

My son loves shoes. 

And I know what you're thinking...he's 4, he can't buy his own shoes, so surely you can control this!  Oh no, people, I did not even see the obsession until it was far too late.  You see, Carter is the lucky receipient of FOUR sets of hand me downs.  And these aren't ratty, play clothes hand me downs.  These are clothes and SHOES that have been worn maybe once.  Am I grateful?  Extremely.  Now Carter looks with anticipation to another bag that auntie momo brings over...not for the super cute shirts and adorable outfits...but for the SHOES! 

It's official. 
He's a shoe freak.

Every morning is a shoe fight.  Usually, I go for the, "oh, you're watching max and ruby, let me just slip these on you..." which rarely works.  So then, we move on to suggestions.... How about your sharkie shoes, Carter? (birkenstocks that have shark print on them)  "Um, no, mom, I don't want to wear those."  Okay....how about your flip flops?  Sneakers?  Ahhhhh!!!!!

Some mornings I'm just not up for the fight, and the kid wears whatever shoes he wants, regardless of the weather, the outfit, or how ridiculously silly he may look.

Illustration:

Pretty cool boots, huh?  Yeah, maybe for church in the middle of winter!!!  But no, my sweet boy was wearing shorts and a tshirt, sporting his elmo band aid, blue socks and THESE boots.  Oh dear. 

Good thing I love him as big as it gets.