It was a busy weekend. There was the usual mundane stuff like yard care, laundry, grocery shopping. There was the realization that kids have grown and shoes have not since the beginning of summer. So we took them to The Big City to get their feets measured, and lo, it was time for the next size up. They now have bigger shoes and no pinchy toes. We have to watch that like a hawk because they never volunteer the “shoes getting tight” information.

The husband and I also needed shoes; mine filled with dirt from the open holes in the sides on my last trip into the garden, which is when I realized that it was perhaps time to stop putting off that “someday I need to replace these” thought. If you’ve ever shopped for clothes or shoes for yourself with kids in tow, you understand why I put these things off, but with kids bribed to cooperate we both managed to get everybody happily shod. I’d link to my new shoes but they seem to be the color combination Fila is embarrassed to admit to. I love them for their eye-blinding cheer. And the shoelaces glow in the dark, so I will always be able to find them.

And then we went to fill in other wardrobe gaps for fall, seeking long sleeved tees and sweaters and jeans for small people that had intact knees, and we discovered the wonders of Gymboree. This store is my new favorite for kids’ clothes. The styles and quality are wonderful and the sale prices are amazing. Even at full price, not too bad. If you’re trying to shop for little girls and asking “where are the nice clothes, the ones that don’t make my five year old look like Hannah Montana”, I highly recommend Gymboree. I wanted to buy the place out. I know I will be hitting their website when I need to fill future wardrobe gaps.

And then on the way home, on the very busy highway that runs from Chicago to Detroit, the car in front of the car in front of us blew out a tire, spun, and came to a stop facing the oncoming traffic in our lane. It was an absolute miracle of Everybody Reacting Correctly at the same time, as every single car avoided the inevitable collision that never came. Nobody hit the blowout car or the cars surrounding it that had to stop to avoid an accident. The people in the car got out and pushed it off to the side quickly, traffic moved over to the next lane and we all continued on our way. Alive. With our faith in our fellow driving man at a new height. It was miraculous. I want to burst into a rendition of Amazing Grace just thinking about it.

How was your weekend?