Lyric has now officially started full day school (insert LOTS of tears here), and while it’s been a HUGE transition, I think I’m finally starting to get into the swing of this new schedule! One of the things I learned during our intake interview was that Lyric would be changing his shoes about 8 times a day. EIGHT!?! And as we know, he doesn’t really like shoes, he’s a flip flop kid, so he doesn’t get a lot of practice putting shoes on. I immediately looked at his current shoe collection (remember that shopping problem from my previous post?), and got started on him taking them all on and off. Some were easier than others, and some were just not going to happen at all! One of the easiest pairs were TOMS!
With a Velcro closure it’s easy enough for little hands to get those feet in the shoe and done up all by themselves! (Can you see Lyric’s little tongue sticking out in the photo on the right? hehe) Knowing I was sending him to school already prepared to help himself and knowing he doesn’t have to ask for assistance made him that much more confident! These Classic
Tiny TOMS come in a ton of colours, and with a new reinforced sole for improved durability, flexibility and protection, you can’t go wrong!
The best thing about TOMS is that they’re not just a company. “In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One.” (TOMS.ca) TOMS isn’t just a shoe company, it’s a movement. They’ve given in 60 different countries and 10 million shoes. Realizing that basic needs could be provided, they decided to add TOMS Eyewear and 150,000 people have had their sight restored through purchases of TOMS Eyewear since 2011. Incredible. Seriously. I love knowing that not only am I styling my child, I’m helping someone else’s child. There’s no greater feeling than helping others.
To learn more about what TOMS is doing not only here, but all over the world, head over to read their stories! They’re sure to inspire! Next time you’re rocking your TOMS be sure to send me a tweet (@amandahayden) to let me and @TOMS know how much you love them!
Photos by: Amanda Hayden Photography
Live, Laugh, Love
this is well written… a great solution for sure for busy little feet…
The heart to effect change in the lives of those without is amazing. I’m not sure where Toms has those ‘gift’ shoes made, but that is important. In many of the countries where people are without shoes, there are local industries for clothing (including shoes), which founder because so much of wht the western world is donated clothing. So it contributes to the cycle of poverty in the region. Whereas, a donation of machinery, or raw materials seeds into the local economy, employs workers and allows those people to buy their own locally made merchandise. The idea is a case of a wonderful intention misunderstanding the local needs and how to create forward motion in the local area.