This morning I had just one agenda item to do: buy Gigi’s tap and ballet shoes. I figured it would take me all day. It did.

I don’t think it takes normal moms all day to buy tap and ballet shoes. But I’ve never taken tap or ballet. I’ve never owned tap or ballet shoes. I have never seen where one buys such things. Friends told me they found their daughters’ shoes in the past at Wal-Mart or Payless. I also found a dance specialty shop, but I was told they were more expensive and since I am not nor have I ever been a “dancer” Wal-Mart won out. I headed there with a very excited Gigi in the car.

She didn’t really know what tap shoes were until last night when we had America’s Got Talent on and she wanted to know what that sound was when a group was dancing. I explained they were wearing tap shoes and we needed to go get her some for her dance class. All night she said “My get tap shoes?” “Tomorrow get tap shoes?”

We drove to Wal-Mart where I was informed by the less-than-helpful woman that they “Ain’t got none of them no more.” Just as well. There were so many problems with her statement that I barely understood what she was telling me. We stopped at a second place where I learned they don’t carry small sizes. Ugh. That left the dance specialty shop.

I drove up and the two of us walked in the doors of the shop. Gigi gasped as soon as we walked in. It was dance supply heaven. All sorts of leotards, dance attire, hair things – you name it. And the older woman behind the counter looked like Audrey Hepburn. 

“Hi.” I said, pulled awed Gigi with me. “I need tap shoes and ballet shoes for this one.” I pointed down at Gigi. “I don’t dance. I don’t know what I’m doing. We need help.”

The woman was awesome. I explained Gigi has a special problem with her feet. Her feet are, well, fat. When she was born her feet were as wide as they were long. We have a difficult time buying shoes for the child. The lady brought out several pairs of tap and ballet shoes. It turns out because of her "special" circumstances (fat feet) we would never have been able to buy off the rack at a discount store.  We're going to have to buy from the specialty shop.  Gigi clapped and giggled and gushed over the shoes. It was precious.

“Love them!” Gigi said every time we put shoes on her. And then she got to walk over to the big mirror and dance on the wood floor with the shoes on. The tap shoes were my favorite. As soon as Gigi took a step and heard the tapping she was elated. She tap-tap-tapped while I paid for shoes and tights. She has been tapping ever since we bought the shoes.

“This is my best day!” She said all the way home with her new tap shoes.

It is so sweet hearing her tap all through the house. I dread when we have to tell her she has to take them off, but for now she’s in tap heaven and I can rest easy knowing I don’t need to wonder where she is or what she is getting into. I can keep my ears on her.