My children had off from school Thursday and Friday. So I took them to see “Horton Hears a Who” yesterday which they all loved. And I liked it as well though I couldn’t help but make the analogy to the abortion issue. Then we went to the park and had a great time there. As the children were going to sleep they were excitedly asking what we had planned for the next day.
This morning, I opened the refrigerator and saw we were out of eggs, pancake mix and even waffles (even though we buy them by the gross, I think). So being a lazy bones and wanting to give the kids a thrill I announced we were going to McDonalds for breakfast. (Don’t you dare judge me.) I told everyone to get in the van which they all did in about four seconds.
While we were eating at McDonalds my eight year old suddenly looked up and began pointing out how inappropriately dressed they all were. We had one with red shorts and a pink top which is a big no-no she said because they don’t just not match, they clash. We had all sorts of colors and headbands and ponytails tilted to the side of their head kinda like was in fashion in the 1980’s. My three year old son had matching shoes but they were on the wrong feet.
My eight year old looks at me and says, “These outfits scream ‘our Dad takes care of us.” I had to agree. When we got home everyone got baths and now we’re going to the library.
This story is only coming to you because my wife hardly ever reads the blog and I’m confident none of you will ever meet her.
May 2, 2008 at 7:53 pm
“This story is only coming to you because my wife hardly ever reads the blog and I’m confident none of you will ever meet her.”
Oh? I’ve already figured out where you live. It’s only a matter of time…
May 2, 2008 at 8:09 pm
My kids (4 and 1) usually choose their own clothes, so they almost always clash. (I’ve considered limiting their wardrobes to only things that match no matter what, but since it’s all hand-me-downs, I take what we’re given.) My daughter (19 months) even often asks for unmatched shoes but I try to limit that because it seems like it would hurt to run around if your shoes aren’t the same height. Her hair is long enough to need to be brushed in the morning, but I think a ponytail is ambitious and usually skip it.
May 2, 2008 at 8:12 pm
You make me feel a little bit better.
But this is exactly why I send my kids to Catholic school. It’s not the whole saving their soul thing. It’s the uniform. I’d go crazy if I had to pick an outfit every day. Well…crazier.
May 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm
You can’t blame it on being a guy.
I am a woman, and the kids never match. In addition to the clashing issues, I have one (age 3) who insists on wearing a “princess dress” at all times. No matter where we are going. I have vetoed wearing it to church, but otherwise I see no reason to start a fight over it.
May 2, 2008 at 8:50 pm
When my six year old was around that age we had the same problem…er…issue. Because it’s not really a problem unless you make them take it off. She wore it so much that the thing was literally a yellow sparkly rag (It was a Belle costume) that hung around her.
May 2, 2008 at 11:44 pm
My kids go to Catholic school, and I have the darndest time tracking down the shirts and shorts for each one anyway!! Also, my now 6 yr old insists on wearing the shoes on the wrong feet no matter what.
May 3, 2008 at 12:30 am
I’m calling social services…
May 3, 2008 at 2:29 am
Count yourself lucky if the kids have outfits they prefer. Our three year old has just recently given up the habit of stripping himself naked whenever he had the chance. Don’t ask me where he got THAT one from, both the War Department and I are innocent!
May 3, 2008 at 8:12 am
The day will come when your dear progeny realizes that “our dad takes care of us” is not just an excuse, it is an exception!
Would that every pappa out there dressed their wee ones in pink & red with 80’s doos for a trip to McDs.
They may not well be aware of it, but more of their contemporaries than not don’t have a dad around to make fashion faux pas.
Sounds like you are doing just fine, Matthew. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
May 3, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Your 8-year-old sounds like a bright kid. Perhaps you should put her in charge of dressing everyone from now on. And it sounds like the kids are VERY well taken care of by you — movies, parks and McDonald’s for breakfast? What lucky kids!
May 3, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Oh, I can so relate! I went running this morning and when I got home the kids were all up and dressed, the 3 year old was wearing a red striped shirt and blue plaid shorts.
After making him come upstairs and change his shirt he only matched for an hour before he wet his pants at the library.
May 3, 2008 at 7:05 pm
If children are really supposed to match, my parents have some serious explaining to do.
May 3, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I look back at pictures of my brothers and I as children. We had the oppositte problem. We all matched ourselves and each other. My mother really should be brought up on charges.
May 5, 2008 at 1:30 am
Your children are truly blessed; it’s not every dad who is disposed to give their kids such a full day — and without their mom present to boot!
BTW…it’s not as important to MATCH as it is to GO WITH. For example, red and pink certainly do not MATCH, but any look at a vase full of red and pink roses will show you that (if the shades are right), they certainly can GO WITH each other.
Same goes for clothing: Fire Engine Red and Bubble Gum Pink? ICK! Ah, but a nice deep red with a dusty rose? Do they MATCH? No way. But they might just GO WITH each other.
Even so, when choosing such color combinations…less is almost always more.
Anyway, I bet your kids looked as cute as could be.
Regards,
Jenny