Posting the picture of Daniel in his new shoes reminded me that I never shared the story of their arrival/discovery.

I could not face a store with endless choices and Edward's decision paralysis, so I ordered each of them two pairs of new gym shoes, chosen based on their favorite colors, orange (D) and neon green/yellow (E), and left them in open boxes in their rooms before picking them up from camp.

That particular week of camp was Taproot, which is a very hands-on nature camp from which they come home exhilarated and completely filthy. Shoes are left on the porch, all clothes removed and taken to the washing machine immediately after stepping inside.

So naked Daniel ran upstairs to shower, but stopped off in his room and discovered the shoe boxes.

"MOMMY!" he screamed. "YOU GOT ME ORANGE SHOES!" Then he bolted to the top of the stairs, stark naked, screaming, "I LOVE YOU!!"

This is the point at which John walks in the front door, which you may know, has a straight-line view up the stairs. So his welcome home is his giddy, naked son, shrieking down the stairs where he proceeds to jump up and wrap me in a full body hug with arms and legs. Still filthy. But obviously quite pleased with his personal shopper.

Score one for Mom. And Zappos.com.