All because a red leaf fell...

After a summer of bare feet and flip flops Kendyl has been begging for some "running shoes" just like Daddy's. She was promised "when the leaves turn red and fall on the ground we will take you shopping for running shoes." 

Last week a red leaf fell. We probably could have gone another week without her noticing, but since the weather's turned colder, she really needed some new shoes.

Friday was a bad day. Nate had been gone every weeknight and we've also been watching some girls for 2 weeks while their parents are away. Which is all fine and dandy but add a Kendyl and a Josie to the mix and it equales one stressed out mom. 

Nathan had the brilliant idea that I should take our girls and get Kendyl her running shoes at Target to "relax and get out of the house and maybe buy yourself something...small."

K was super excited. She pointed out all the red leaves on the way to the store. 

We enter the store. I make sure both girls are in the shopping cart so they don't go crazy in the shoe section. I zero in on a pair of perfectly perfect "running shoes" in her size, gender, price range, and with Velcro straps. It was going to be the shortest shoe shopping trip EVER. But in the minute it had taken me to decide on perfect shoe, Kendyl had also zeroed in on her selection with the help of sidekick Josie. 

"We found our shoes Mom!"

"Those are boots Kendyl. We are getting running shoes."

Josie scales down the side of the shopping cart and starts shrieking as I try to keep her contained in the cart. No luck. Kendyl is now whining because she decided sparkly boots are really speaking to her.

I try to be firm. "Kendyl we are getting running shoes. Look at this pair. It's just like Daddy's and it just your size!"

She puts them on. "Nope. Too Big." Tosses them out the cart.

"Kendyl they fit you perfectly." I take her out of the cart have have her step on the shoe size chart to prove that she really is a size 10.

"No Mom. Those don't look like running shoes to me. I just don't like them."

I proceed to explain how these are perfect and begin comparing them to Daddy's shoes and her idol-aunt Lolly's shoes.

"Mom. I DON'T LIKE THOSE SHOES!"

K proceeds to run down the aisle in reckless abandon with Josie. 

"Mom I found the running shoes!!!! They are just like Nathan's!"

"No Kendyl those have ties. We are NOT getting shoes with ties."

"But Nathan's has ties."

I try to convince her the perfect shoes are cool. She is completely uninterested. (Meanwhile Josie is pulling shoes out of boxes and throwing them around.)

Then K stops dead in her tracks. 

Speaks in a voice of awe: "Mom, I want these!"

"Kendyl those aren't even running shoes. We are NOT getting them."

COMPLETE AND UTTER BREAKDOWN

I assess the situation. Screaming 3 year old. 2 year old wearing 2 different shoes and a pile growing behind her. People are staring. I grab the girls and throw them back in the cart. Josie is now screaming. Kendyl is now yelling in the loudest voice possible, "KITTY SHOES! KITTY SHOES!" People are really staring. I race to a checkout and purchase the perfect shoes. "KITTY SHOES!" 

Sobbing. Screaming. Staring.

We make it outside. People in the parking lot are looking around for the source of the noise. 

"KITTY SHOES!"

I somehow wrestle them both in their carseats and text Nate to inform him how relaxing my trip went. 

Amid the sobbing and a call to Dad in an effort to calm her heaving body, I decide that Kendyl is never going to wear or like the shoes I bought her so I drive towards Payless. Bad call. Screams continue. 

Next few seconds are not my best motherhood moments I confess. 

We arrive at Payless. There was a larger selection of "running shoes." I feel somewhat optimistic and show her an appropriate selection of shoes she can choose from. Complete apathy.

Josie and Kendyl pick out some matching non-running shoes. Cute, tempting, and way too expensive. Shoe companies must make bazillions on producing pink sparkly shoes and unleashing them on poor, unsuspecting, budget minded, practical-shoe buying families. Add a Disney decal and you've got yourself a $25 money trap. 

I sit down in defeat as the store lady scurries after them putting shoes back. 

My tactic is not working. Now Josie is very attached to the princess boots and Kendyl is stomping around in a matching pair and finally smiling. The store lady is shooting me funny looks. 

I try one more time to make K pick out a Payless running shoes. 

"That's it! We are leaving!" 

I grab a crying Josie and try to pry the princess boots off her. Attempt to match up shoes to boxes. Fail. Leave the mess to store lady who probably just wants us out.

Get in the car. Hand Kendyl the original perfect Target shoes.

"Kendyl these are your new shoes." 

No battle.

"Ooooooo. I LOVE my new running shoes!!"

Really.