Ashie's New Shoes

I have to share this, because it's too good not to.  I can't say this is the first time this has happened to me, or even the second.  Children just have a way of teaching you things weather you like it or not, and usually the most teachable or learn-able moments I could say would be the ones where you don't like it very much!  I file this story under the category of being flexible!  Because let's just face it life is almost NEVER going to go as planned and although it is very important to plan it is equally important for us to be flexible and to teach our children by example!

My story starts with a week long family quarantine from the flu!  You can imagine with eight of of us how bad that can get! Since we had been sick all week and cooped up in the house (kiddos say pooped up which would be appropriate with the flu)  we decided after the hubby got off work we should go out to eat.  Get outta the house and as my mom would say "get the stink blown off us" :oD

 The hubby and I let the kiddos decide together where we would eat, and they decided on Don Pablos a yummy Mexican restaurant for those of you that don't have one near you.  It was around 4:30 by the time the hubby got home and everyone was VERY hungry.  So while he was showering after work I got the kiddos loaded up into the van as quickly as I could.  We all jumped in and up to Don Pablos we went on a quest for some chips and salsa, cheese dip, and tortillas!!  We arrived just before the rush, found an awesome spot along the sidewalk (safest place if you have a big family!) opened the side doors and started ushering kiddos out when my hubby says "Where are Ashie's shoes (2 year old)?" DOH!!!  I didn't even think to check that little booger, and he SNUCK into the van without any shoes on.

We both looked at each other and giggled, and  loaded everyone back up and headed across the street to Shoe Carnival for some new shoes.

I think it's experience, age, a combination there of, but in that moment my husband and I had a choice to make about the situation.  He could have gotten angry with me for not checking more closely before we left, and in return I could have shouted at him how I care for everyone all day and how he could take some responsibility for his children once in a while too.  It could have gone any number of ways but the ultimate direction would have been South!  At this point we knew he didn't have shoes, and no amount of upset or bickering could resolve it, instead we have learned to have a sense of humor about these sorts of things, to accept the situation and then to problem solve. 

The result an AWESOME life lesson for all of us #1 check to make sure everyone is wearing shoes, coat, pants, etc. before we leave the house, and #2 how to be flexible and roll with the punches when life doesn't go as planned, and OH BOY IT WILL!

Well the story turns out great too!  We end up getting there when they are having an unadvertised buy one get one free sale.  ALL of the kiddos sizes have gone up at least a full size since we have last purchased all of them shoes when we have them measured. So EVERYONE ends up getting new shoes, we saved money, and had a blast in the process!  Not to mention a REALLY fun night out with the family and a fun story to share with all of you!

I'm calling it a WIN and a REALLY smart boy that found a VERY sneaky and creative way of getting a new pair of Buzz Lightyear Shoes!