Parenting SOS

OK, so today was Harrison's first day of pre-pre-school. Totally adorable, he was so excited, had the "pack-pack" and the friends there, got to learn stuff and play and have snacks and it was super cute. Now what should have been a perfectly magical day was tainted by his behavior after class. He was really excited, granted, because we have really built up the idea of school, so he was running around the yard when he got out of class with the biggest grin on his face. Then he took off down the street. Hadley followed him a little ways, but Kiley said, "FREEZE!" and she did, what a good girl! Harrison kept going. So I'm dragging my slow pregnant self after my child and then he turns into the street. My worst nightmare. Charity, another pre-school Mom, was pulling away in her minivan but saw him in time and stopped thank goodness, otherwise he probably would have been hit.

I seriously can't take this anymore. Harrison has been defiant on a lot of different things, and we've worked through them. He's better in restaurants now, at the grocery store, he picks up toys. He's come a long way on a lot of things. So why is it the one thing that could really endanger his life is the thing he chooses to ignore me on. I have seriously had nightmares of him getting hit where I sit up in bed in a cold sweat. We have tried sooooo many consequences.... When he runs he has to wear his kid leash the rest of the day, he's had toys taken away, time-outs, spankings (my least favorite option). I've tried explaining to him in terms that I think he can grasp. Ie: Do you remember what happened to Nemo when he ran away? Someone took him and his Daddy was so sad. But this issue keeps resurfacing. Today when we got home he got his biggest and most adored toy taken away, his train table. I packed the whole thing up and put it in the trunk of my car and told him he can't have it back until he shows me he won't run in the street. What else can I do? We can't lock ourselves away forever. Although I did for the rest of the day today.

So anyone have any other advice? Am I missing something here? Because I'm about to lose my mind. How do I solve this? Please help me save this adorable little boy from himself.

Two Shopping Emergencies

Co@ch scarf...worked great on 4th of July

So I got an interesting phone call today from Co@ch. They would like help over Black Friday. I told them to put me on the list as a "yay". Never mind the fact that baby Henry is due in October and we might be moving (out of state) I MISS MY DISCOUNT. You know how I am...total sucker for a deal and an even bigger sucker for designer wears. I just like beautiful, well made things. Can you blame me? There is so much ugly in the world. And if you can get top of the line-imported from italy-hand stiched-functional hardware-boning-authentic ANYTHING at 65% off, then you should do it. Plus girls, have you seen their shoes? And their silver? And their silk scarves? There's a whole lot more than handbags going on at that place.

Anyway, this leads me to my next topic of discussion. Inside shoes. Shoes that are only worn inside (so they stay clean because Pat and I have a clean floor obsession) AND because I'm pregnant and my tile is KILLING my feet. Pain radiating up the legs, I can't walk barefoot anymore. Corey, best friend from high school, also pregnant, came over the other day and noticed it too. Her feet hurt. Is it possible my tile is more hurty than other tile? Yes. I'm not sure why or how, but it is. Must be something to do with the faux slate thing.

So I want a pair of slip on sneakers. Clogs, mules, whatever you call them, but sneakers without backs that I can step into because I can't bend over at 7.5 months pregnant. I have looked everywhere. DSW. Zappos. Puma, New Balance (Pat says we should buy American), and Saucony online. Scoured Dillards, Nordstrom, the Rack and Piperlime. And do you know what I've found? A whole lot of ugly. And it's over-priced ugly, the worst kind. Take these puppies for example....The Merrell. Meets Pat's US made pre-req, but I'm having trouble convincing myself that they're even cute in the hippie sort of way, which is the most lenient fashion sub-category. What do you think....


Then there's the New Balance sneaker mule. I could pretend I'm a nurse.


Everything else is too easy-spirit-ish, I'm not in my fifties yet or it's too Sketcher-y, ie: not enough arch support. Maybe I could get off bed rest and clean my filthy house if I had some decent arch support.

For those of you thinking I should get slippers, believe me I've tried. My tile eats slippers for breakfast. Holes right through the squishiest cutest Target slippers in just a couple weeks. So, any other suggestions? What are the most comfortable slip on shoes you've ever worn and where can I buy them on sale?