Is it God, or Advertising at Work? :-)

So, Luke's birthday is quickly approaching. I have such a hard time believing my little man who was born at just 5 pounds 3 ounces is now almost five years old!

I have shared before that we live next to my in-laws ( I know, a whole post in and of itself, :-)), but my sweet mother-in-law has been earnestly praying about what to get Luke for his birthday. We had requested no more toys. The boys have so much and we are really trying hard to minimize the toys in this house. Luke really needs clothes as the seasons change. So I had suggested maybe some new PJs or something.

Well, just the other day we all went outside and as they always do, the boys went running to Grandmas as soon as they were free. (Yes, the sandbox, playground, bikes and all outside toys are in our yard, but there is something magical about going to grandmas and just playing in dirt.) As they were feeding the birds, Luke had mentioned to Grandma that he had seen these new shoes on TV that he REALLY wanted. They were called Airators and they breathe!

This is where the confusion comes in for me, Grandma saw this as her answer especially when she went to the JC Penney flier and saw that they were on sale this week. These shoes were 40 dollars on sale! For a five year old? I hardly thought that was God answering her prayer, more like a good advertising campaign on the part of Sketchers!

I digress.

So, last night was the big night. Luke got to go with Grandma and Grandpa to Wendy's for a special dinner and then to JC Penney's. Much to their dismay when they went to get Luke fitted for shoes they found that Penney's had NO Airators in his size! They did however have a pair of blue Sketchers which were on clearance for 20 dollars. Luke saw the Sketcher symbol and insisted they were just what he always wanted. So everyone won. Luke has what he thinks are Airator shoes and Grandma and Grandpa purchased a more reasonable 20 dollar shoe. Everyone is happy!

Or are they? I had gone to meet some friends for coffee last night and when I returned Luke was waiting to tell me all about his night. I did not know any of the story of what had occurred so we he brought me the shoes, I said "Oh you decided on something other than the Airators?" He said, "Mom, they ARE Airators!!" I was confused, but I looked up at Howard and he shook his head and said "They ARE Airators". But then sweet Luke went on to say that the commercial said that those shoes were supposed to breathe, and his don't work. They don't breathe, he watched and watched, no breathing!

He came to the conclusion that he still loves his shoes, but sometimes the people in commercials lie so you will want their stuff and that is just not cool! :-) (I guess sometimes parents and grandparents do too...they let you believe you are wearing the ever cool Airators when you are truly not.)

Another life lesson learned!