okay... i've done it. i've crossed line and bought my son hot wheels tennis shoes that light up when he jumps. sigh.... but i can't say i regret it. not yet at least.

you see, the thing is... before i had kids i watched my mom friends buy their kids all these wacky shoes with cartoon characters on them and i'd think... "not when i have kids... no way. my kids are going to have cool clothes. none of this disney crap."

how things change.

we went into target and sure.... there were some nice normal hip little tennis shoes. old navy is right down the street and they've always got very subtle sporty little shoes. and famous footwear is on the other side and they're so cool they even have little converse. ... but as we purused the shelves... and tried on several pairs... i just couldn't not show him the hot wheel shoes. i just felt like i'd be betraying him. i showed him all the normal shoes too and tried to make them appealing... but in the end... the joy he felt over putting those light up race car shoes on and running up and down the aisle just left the coolness factor in the dust.

i no longer care. my little boy thinks i bought him the best shoes the world has to offer. he wakes up in the morning and the first thing he wants to do is put on his shoes. yesterday he even insisted on putting them on right out of the tub... naked in hot wheel light up shoes. somethin' else.

anyway... the thing is... i just get a high off of his joy.maybe that's what's really "cool".