Shoes and A Story

With three boys, I had high hopes that I would be able to pass down large quantities of clothes. So I was somewhat shocked to realize that Fin (between school and camp) had in fact destroyed his first pair of sneakers. I had to photograph it for posterity, but I also have to add that the picture doesn't really do justice to the carnage. His toes were about to pop through and the insides are thrashed and falling out. Then again, I don't think Fin's feet have grown in a year so at least the wear justifies the destruction...

In other news, I had waited until today to do a Target run to pick up a few things, most notably presents to sock away for the boys from their new little brother. Fin has been wanting this Matchbox Shark Attack Bay Set Thing for months now and I told him it was too big for just an any-day treat and he'd have to wait for some kind of occasion. Dash has become OBSESSED with Yo Gabba Gabba and so I figured I'd pick him up something relative to that.

As I made my way to the car, Dash had a complete meltdown and wedged his sobbing body between the garage door and it's frame demanding to go with me. With so little time left before our relationship is intruded upon, I just decided to take him with me. (In case you were wondering, Fin considers me chopped liver these days and was more than content to stay with Dad!) As I was wandering down the toy aisles, I walked past all the baby dolls and was reminded of some adjustment advice bestowed upon me by many when I was pregnant with Dash. Buying the sibling a baby doll of their own can ease the transition. I wasn't worried about how that would go with Fin, but Dash is a whole different ball game so I began to reevaluate my boys and babydolls stance. Maybe Dash would be into that? So I started looking at my options. Not sure of how this was going to go, I quickly bipassed any dolls over $20 (much to Dash's chagrin as there was a loud crawling one I think he wanted). There were a bunch of Cabbage Patch newborn dolls on clearance but when I started sifting through the boxes, turns out it was only African American dolls left. Thankfully, I then spotted a little bean bag style baby with a plastic head for the bargain price of $2 - SOLD! (I'll let you know how Dash takes to "his baby")

But the whole ordeal reminded me of a story I'd heard second hand that originated on NPR's This American Life. I was trying to relay it to Brooks and badly butchering the story when I decided to see if I could find it online. Once again, thank you internets for being there! Here it is, just wait for it to load and then fast forward to 40:17 in the show. With my already-compromised bladder, it was tough not to wet my pants through some of it. Enjoy ;)

ETA: Here's the site for the Middleton Dolls if you weren't creeped out enough already