Shoes

Now I'm pretty sure everyone know that I have a *small* obsession with Robeez. I love that they are so easy to get on a squirmy toddler, they have adorable designs (although there are some out there **coughcoughneighborscoughcough** that think they are ugly) and they are the best shoes for beginning walkers since the flexibility in the sole still allows the child to grip with their toes. I have known through word of mouth that Stride Rite and the next best step, with a hybrid mix of a hard soled shoe that is flexible enough not to have a huge learning curve, like regular hard shoes. (This is where I would input a story about Eddie walking in his hard soled gym shoes that I bought just to see how he did, then took him into a jewlery store where he promptly fell, face first on the hard marble and had a huge knot in his head, but I've blocked it from my memory....lol). So yesterday when we were at the mall we made a stop at Stride Rite to check out some shoes. Eddie got his foot measured (which they do for free, so it is nice just to know their size) and we tried on some styles. I decided that a). I'm not ready for laces and the extra time to tie them up during wiggle time b). I don't want velcro because, really....just ew. and c). OH MY GOD I DON'T WANT TO SPEND $50 ON SHOES FOR A BABY.

A problem, no? I knew going in that Stride Rites were a little pricey for shoes. But really? $50?!?! So we left, and I decided we would just keep with the Robeez  love for a little longer. But you know what happened? We had an unexpected stop at the outlet mall! (Really and honestly, it was unexpected) Eddie and I were left wandering the mall for about an hour and guess what?! There is a Stride Rite outlet!!! I got Eddie shoes similar to the ones I wanted in the store (just different colors, which I like better) and I got them for $30!! Wooot!!! Much, much better. I am also happy to report that we slapped those things on Eddie when we got home and he took off - no smashing his face in his Stride Rites! He even walked our whole  street with out a problem. So, I guess it is official. I am now a Robeez fan that has become a Stride Rite (Outlet) fan. Not to mention how cute Eddie looks in his new shoes....I'll try to update with a pic later.

-maggie