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My mom called tonight as I was on my way home.  She asked that I stop by so that she could give William a present.  She had been at our church's "store" to buy herself a nativity.  Boo begged her for a smaller nativity and my mom caved.  She asked William if he wanted anything, but he declined.  He had been interested in a snow globe of the nativity, so my mom wanted to get it for him as a "happy" sometime.  Which brings us to tonight.

William, we need to stop by Mimi's.  She has a little present for you.

A present?  Why'd Mimi get me a present?


Remember when you and Boo were at church and Mimi got her a nativity?  She wanted to get you a little "happy," too.

I hope it's not a...(something I didn't catch).  And as I'm saying, "It's not a toy," he's saying

because I like Jesus, I just like Star Wars better.

Needless to say, he was a might disappointed.


And later...

It's just too pretty for a little young boy like me.  And too precious.  Too, too precious.  That stuff's for girls.

Those lessons on graciousness haven't stuck yet, apparently.   

Picture Perfect

Today was picture day at preschool.  Normally picture days are school-wide and the children are put in specific outfits.  So, I wasn't too concerned when William donned a Star Wars shirt.  (He has enough that he can wear one every day).  I don't think they were provided with outfits.  I don't think it was school-wide.  Oh, well.  I don't have to buy them.  William must have known that it was a wash.  This is the conversation he had with his teacher, Miss Kim.

MK--William, did you smile for your picture?

No, I just gave her a look like this. (And showed her his "mad face")

MK--Why didn't you smile?

'Cause I just didn't want to.  You know what I said to the pink lady?

MK--The pink lady?

Yeah, you know.  The lady that was wearing the pink.  I said, "May the force be with you." 
And she knew what it was.  'Cause she's seen that movie before. 

Brown Chicken Brown Cow

Did I mention that William is obsessed with Star Wars?  We play light sabers, 'lectricity from our hands, Anakin with the burned off hair...

He has two Star Wars encyclopedias that he pores over.  This one, that's from the movies and one from Clone Wars.  So, he's familiar with even some of (what I would consider) obscure characters.

Tonight he was playing with his Gaga (my mother-in-law) and Ahsoka Tano and Amidala were featured prominently in their play.  They cried a lot.  He really couldn't tell me why, but he wanted to know if Amidala could sleep with him tonight.  Not a figure.  Not a picture.  Just an imaginary Amidala.  But, he wanted permission first.

Please, Mom!  Please Amidala can sleep with me in my bed?  I really, really want her to!

Uh... Why?  Why do you want Amidala to sleep with you?

Because, I just really want her to!

(What is that they say about lawyers in court?  Never ask a question that you don't already know the answer to?  I can't help it, though.  I gotta know).

What are guys going to do? 

Read bed time stories and have fun!

Still a little too vague for me, but I'll allow it.  The biggest question, though, is what would he have done had I said no?

And the rest of the story...

At bedtime.

Is Amidala still planning on sleeping with you?

Yeah.  And Ahsoka wants to sleep with me, too.

I don't know if there's room for all of you.

Ahsoka can sleep on top of me because she likes me. (??????)  And she is very light.


How about she sleeps here at the foot of the bed?
  

Light up Star Wars Shoes

There are two kinds of parents in this world. The kind that think that light up shoes are tacky and the ones that think that light up shoes are tacky, yet buy them for their kids anyway. Maybe tacky isn't the right word. It's just a little disconcerting to see light emanating from footwear. Garish, maybe?

About a year ago, I bit the bullet and headed to Stride Rite to buy William some shoes. He has a weird foot and has always been hard to buy shoes for. I figured that I could find a nice pair at the big fancy shoe store.

We bought a nice pair of navy Saucony Velcro-strapped shoes. Plain. Just the way I like them.

Yet, he would put them on and stomp around going, "Look at my Star Wars shoes! They light up!" Whatever you say, dude.

So, best of both worlds for this mama. I get the plain shoes, he gets the light up shoes and we only had to buy one pair.

One day this summer, I insisted that he wear his Crocs (another parent favorite--I actually like them).

He said, "But, Mom. I want to wear my light up Star Wars shoes! These don't light up!"
(Hmm...let's try this) How about you pretend that these ones light up like you pretend with your light up Star Wars shoes.

That's a great idea! Mom, you're a genius! (You never know what's going to work. Crisis avoided).
The day came (just two weeks ago) when those plain/light up shoes had to be retired. They began to rip in front. Back to Stride Rite.

There on the wall--a whole row of Star Wars shoes. That lit up. Joy.

Ones that looked like the helmet of Captain Rex from Clone Wars. Like, 3 different versions.

And then, these.
For some reason, these were the least offensive to me. So, now we have an official pair of light up Star Wars shoes. Straight from his mind and onto the shelves of the Stride Rite. Could not convince him that the cute plain navy ones were better. Who did I think I was kidding?

The best part of this whole experience has to be from the point of view of the clerk at Stride Rite. A woman in a stained t-shirt, athletic shorts, flip flops, and hair thrown haphazardly in a barrette, tsking and rolling her eyes at those "tacky" light up shoes.