The antidote to grumpy

Shopping with my 12 year old son is guaranteed to raise my grump levels faster than most things, and shoe shopping with him is even worse than clothes shopping. He's going through a growth spurt, or at least his feet are. Shoes that were comfortably loose on him 3 months ago are now too tight. We went to Aachen yesterday to buy him new winter boots, house slippers and wellies. We do quite a bit of our shopping in Aachen since quality, prices and parking are better there than in Brussels.

Anyway, this is how it went while he was trying on winter boots.

Me: "Is there a bit of wiggle room at the toes?"
Him: *big sigh* "Dunno. I guess."
Me: "Are you okay with the black ones or would you prefer them in brown?"
Him: *grunts*

Wellies were next.

Me: "I'm not buying you (fake) fur-lined wellies because your feet will be sweating in them when it's not cold."
Him: "Whatever."
Me: "Um, how about these?" (holding up a pair of classic dark green men's wellies)
Him: *gives me exasperated eye roll*
Me: "Well if it's all the same to you, mister, how about these pink polka dot Hello Kitty ones? I'm sure they'll have them in size 41."
Him: "Okay, okay, I'll try the dark green ones!" (angrily tugs them on)

You get the picture. Total shopping joy. Is it any wonder I had to stop at this printen shop for a bit of calm. Printen are the chewy spice cookies that Aachen is famous for. In a few weeks this beautiful autumn window display will give way to a spectacular Christmas one.

Check it out large.


~ a backblip