Back to School

Listening to IPOD and texting...while shopping for shoes! Total teenage package!

6th grade here he comes!

Freshman year!

Cory's new shoes

For the first day of middle school, our 6th grader was jazzed, excited and could hardly sleep the evening before. He was up at the bus stop 20 minutes before the bus was to be there (just in case!). Our incoming highschool Freshman sauntered out of bed with enough time to get cleaned up just enough, throw on something that never made it to the drawer or closet, but was clean, grab a snack and head out. His biggest worry is girls. (Shhhhh!) He has been at school most of the summer already as he tried out for, and successfully made band. Marching and jazz. In marching band he plays xylaphone, and jazz he plays the keyboard. Being involved in band, he has been all over the school, and has made friends with several upper classmen so he is not worried at all. However, for his first day, he has to be at school extra early (6:30 am) to prepare to play for the student welcome party in the gym.

It's that time of year again! Back to School. While other parents were running around buying notebook paper and that special 3 ring binder, I was out looking for new tennis shoes for our boys. Now that they are young men..they don't wear kids shoes anymore. This means mens sizes - and prices.

I'm sure I've mentioned before, how different the boys are in everything. Shopping is no different. Cory is capable of in and out shopping, if his size is there. (he is very laid back and most of the time doesn't really care about what he wears) Brian on the other hand, is a shopper. He likes to look "GOOD". Fashion is very important and his wardrobe is planned - daily.



Brian's Puma's





Thankfully, I had done some research and based on selection and price we were able to narrow our shopping down to just two stores. Cory found some Reebok high tops, and Brian found some orange Puma's.



St. Charles Missouri

Recently I got to visit a beautiful city along the Missouri river, one that is proud and ready to tell their visitors all about the interesting history of the pioneer city. This city is called St. Charles. (Best Bud and I were there to dabble in the views and shopping) It was the first capital of Missouri.
The roads along the historic district are brick, in various sizes, so your tires will let you know when you are in the heart of it all. Off to the left you can see the Missouri river, and on the right you see streets filled with dated majestic and humble homes. Inside of these various old business buildings and homes, you will find many of the areas treasures made by local artists, antiques for learning about, and several you have the option to purchase.

We parked next to the old mill, where a once working water wheel still sets against the left outside wall. The morning shadows slowly back away to revel a small dining area nestled in a grove of gnarled trees. If you get a chance to shop in this wonderful area of town, keep in mind that most of the shops don't open til 10, or 10:30 am.
The first shop we popped in (they opened early!) was The Flower Petaler.
Oh this is a wonderful shop. On the windows walking up to the door were some beautiful wreaths. Thinking this was just a flower shop, I figured I would be in and out quickly. BOY, was I wrong! First off, there were several rooms and two upstairs! The first room was full of fall arrangements. These looked real! Wow. There were lots of pumpkins, gourds, little squirrels, acorns, and bronze, orange, and deep yellow leaves scattered amongst various arrangements. Not really needing anything for fall, I moved on into the other room, oh! This one was full of very rich colors, deep reds, and such. The next room was full of greens, so many shades and styles, I really spent some time looking around. My best girlfriend found an arrangement she wanted in this room. Hooray!
Wandering around we discovered there was also jewelry, scarves, and some antiques purchased from local estate sales. Yeah now I'm jazzed. Snooping around, with help of a great sales lady, I found all sorts of neat items I was interested in. There was even a Christmas room, with all sorts of trees decorated up and any ornament imaginable available. The nativity scenes, and ornaments, and the nutcrackers were beautiful and affordable. Upstairs, I managed to find the sale area, (go figure huh?).
Leaving the store, my friend and I both found an arrangement we couldn't leave without and a few other little items too! Score!
For lunch, we decided to try Lewis and Clark Restaurant (http://www.lewisandclarkrestaurant.com/). We had great service, and the food was great! I got a grilled feta chicken and side order of alfredo. Delish!
So, if you are ever in the St. Louis area and want a great historic shopping/dining experience, please consider stopping by St. Charles. The people are friendly, the food is great, and eye candy is just everywhere!

Look at the towns first church/school house! The wood is laid vertical instead of the typical horizontal...hmmm. Very interesting!

Patience Tested

My closest girlfriend and I took several hours of our time this past Friday to take my boys 12, and 10 shopping for new dress clothes. Well, one outfit actually. They were asked by a friend of ours that happens to also be a TN State Representative to come serve as honorary pages on the Senate floor this Thursday. I figure this will also serve as a sharp outfit to wear Easter Sunday.
Generally my shopping with the boys is a bare minimal to say the least. I know their general sizes and favorite colors, and which one likes stripes and which one doesn't care. So I can pick up a few things, (always keeping the receipt on hand) so if they don't like it I can take it back.
My oldest a pre-teen is not very particular about what he wears. I can pick up just about anything for him and he is content. Now that the teen attitude is coming out..the emotions run high if something doesn't fit right, or HE thinks it doesn't fit or look just so. Add into that his younger brother who DOES very much care what he wears..Sigh! Got the picture?
Both boys are as opposite as the north pole and the equator. Funny thing is they tend to gravitate toward the same things sometimes.. and whomever saw it first, the other one has to pick something else! They are also opposite in stature. Cory wears a slim and Brian a regular. Well, they can't have the same color or style so to say it took awhile to find these outfits is an understatement. Whew!
Side note: When I worked in retail in the men's department to be specific, I had to have a measuring tape and know how to tie a man's tie in several different knots. (it's been awhile, I can do a basic slip knot, but would have to study and practice some more to get it down). Did you know that several of the places we went, when I asked for these things I was met with a blank stare? Where has customer service gone? And I'm not talking cheaper stores, this experience was at Belk and Dillards. Anyway, we either experienced extremely low selection, or had no help, or the help we had was worthless! This one gal that comes to mind she didn't know where certain brands were, didn't have a way to measure so you could get the appropriate size, and generally just made excuses. We did better searching and trying than she did. She stood and talked. Pleats or no pleats, cuffs or no cuffs,get the picture? Just like for many of us women out there, the sizes are so different depending on the brand.
Many stores later, my friend and I are on the verge of throwing our hands up when I remember that I also have to get them shoes. Bigger and longer lasting sigh!
The boys have narrow heels and pretty much need a wide size. They are two years apart and either wear the same size or 1/2 a size off. Did you know that there is a big gap in boys to men's shoes? There is this funky in between stage called middle school and they no longer wear size 6 in boys so they have to try to find a 6 or 6.5 or even 7 in men's shoes. God help us! Let me tell ya, there is an extremely small selection! I sent many prayers up that afternoon as the boys were tired and every opportunity they had to pick on one another was acted upon quickly.
We did ultimately find shoes at a Payless! Wow. It was our last ditch effort before we rounded out our evening watching Alice in Wonderland. Praises! They found them! We were all glad to get off our aching feet and sit down for the movie.
I will upload a picture of them by weeks end so you can see the end result of our shopping madness!