Strange "Southern" Moment

I have been trying to get Eli to be responsible for more things lately so one of his new "chores" is to turn off all the lights before we leave. Well I think he got a little overwhelmed today because as Abe and I were waiting in the car, he didn't close the door so I hollered at him to go close the door. Obediently he closed the door, with himself inside! I had to honk for him to come out and join us in the car. We drove to Walmart to return some cards and as I pulled into the parking spot Eli lets me know he forgot his shoes! I scrounged the car looking for something that would do and all we found was one flip flop. After realizing we spend $350 a month on gas I decided NOT to go home to get his shoes. We'll use this as a learning experience!

I got a cart, put Eli in the front (with only one shoe) and was holding Abe with my other hand, since it was way to awkward pushing the stroller too! We explained to 3 different people the reason for our return and during this process the sweetest old lady was waiting in the photo area cooing at Abe. She kept looking at his naked toes and then at me. I knew she was trying not to say anything about my shoe-less child. Then when I moved away from Eli she couldn't help herself anymore. She exclaimed "Do you know he is missing a shoe!" Shamefully, I had to admit I did, an interesting discussion and explanation followed. I left feeling like I have personified that Southern cartoon of the red head guy with the overalls, no shoes and a piece of hay sticking out of his mouth. Yeah that was us today! I have to get over my aversion to putting babies in shoes before they are walking AND make sure my children have their shoes on before we leave the house or we are going to be disowned by these sweet southern folks! (Although it's hard not to notice the slippers and pajama bottoms as appropriate attire)

As for the learning experience, Eli just thinks it's fun to get pushed around by his Mom, that child has no shame...and Dad still wonders why my back is always hurting!