10 1/2 in mens and 7 in toddler

Matt's life fits the lyrics to a Chesney song, "I've been up to my neck working six days a week. Wearing holes in the soles of the shoes on my feet. Been dreamin' of getting away since I don't know..." His recent shoes don't look completely terrible in the picture above, but they were pretty bad. Time to trade for another pair of Adidas. New white for old stinky. I have lost count of how many pairs of these classic striped shoes he's purchased and worn out.

Knowing his size in his predictable style, I picked up a pair for Matt yesterday. He wasn't expecting them. If it were up to him he'd hold out another month or two, at least, getting other necessities first. I thought it'd be a nice surprise to find on his bed after a long day at work. Maybe not, since it ironically is just something to cover your feet and again head out to work in...but still. It meant I was thinking of him, and purchased those rather than brown sandals for me that I originally headed out for.

While in the shoe department, I browsed the boy section for some black church shoes for Tyler (He needs some in order to make use of some slacks hanging in his closet). Couldn't find any that fit comfortably. BUT, a few feet over I found something better. A mini-size of Matt's Adidas. Seriously so cute.

Now, we're not ones for name brand. We rarely shell out the money when a generic of similar quality sits beside it. In fact, growing up Matt would pride himself in getting several pairs of jeans for school while his brothers could afford only a single of their brand. But, Adidas are Matt's thing. When these minis were blaring a 50 percent off sign...and when I admitted Tyler is quickly growing out of what shoes he has...and needs something warmer than sandals this Fall, I was sold!

We're also not ones who hold the "you must have a son" mentality. But, I am certain that seeing matching white duds on his son's feet was one of those moments when he found complete joy in having a boy. A moment, when as the parent, I couldn't help but realizes how much these Little Ones are pint-sizes of your influence! Hearing Matt repeated claim, "those are some good lookin' shoes" made this initiation into Adidas whites seem even more exciting than eventually throwing a football out back (he's had a pair of black, but it didn't hold the same magic)! There are just some things a guy wants to pass on, I guess.