This is the first Spring that I’ve had the pleasure of watching my children literally burst out of their clothes. And I’m not talking about their tendency to run around naked (that’s a whole other post).
I mean that they all have holes in the knees of their pants. And on top of that, the rags I continue to call clothes aren’t even fitting that well anymore. Inches of wrist show at shirt cuffs and inseams are more appropriate for a flood than a sunny Spring day (the term “high waters” would be an understatement).
These days, when I look at my children, I’m reminded of Fegan’s scruffy band of pickpockets in Oliver!
I’m serious. It’s come to the point where I’m actually sending Oliver to preschool with holey pants since that’s all he has left. Eleanor’s high waters expose her mismatched socks, and George… Well with that new bald head of his, George looks like he was deloused the old fashioned way.
Any traces of color vibrancy their clothes may have had are gone. Those hideously pink outfits of Eleanor’s and the boys’ standard issue red, green and navy have now taken on a decidedly grey cast. Luckily this blends well with the grime that they bring in with them every time I let them go outside. Ever fascinated by the charcoal grill on our back deck, they can’t be left alone for a minute without getting into the ash. Carcinogens aside – the filth of this sends me into a rage (at times like these – I take my poor parenting skills to a whole new level). Street urchins indeed!
Gone are the days that I have bags of clothes to donate to friends or sell at consignment sales. I’m hoping we can make it through one more month before the bare threads become skeletal. Bottom line – my kids are sorry looking bunch of ragamuffins.
So I feel like Fegan, watching them run wild in their rags, charming all around with their guileless smiles and sticky fingers. Maybe a kindly rich stranger will find Oliver wandering around outside in his underwear while I’m inside changing a diaper…
In the meantime, I’m counting the days until warm weather takes over and chilly mornings become a thing of the past. Then I can put them all in in shiny new shorts, brightly colored tee shirts and shoes that don’t have swiss cheese soles.
That is until late September when my ragamuffins return. Then I’ll have to be on the lookout for those rich strangers. Especially the ones looking to adopt a haggard, working mom in her late 30s. Who Will Buy ME This Wonderful Morning? Just kidding of course (sort of).
Is that why you named your son Oliver?!? HaHaHa, I’m kidding! I remember my brother frequently wore pants that were about two inches too short. My dresses got shorter, but that was okay. Well warm weather is almost here, and I for one cannot wait!
Okay, Fegan…short pants and Olivers are definitely making me feel the chill of London :)
xxx
My teenage sons pay big bucks for clothes that come with holes. I just don’t get it.
But they’re so adorable no matter what they’re wearing! I would be worried if YOU were reporting to work with holes in your knees and your shoes had holes like swiss cheese.
Seriously, I am so embarassed to send my kids to school these days! Do you guys have Justice stores there? They just took over Limited Too…they have the cutest stuff at the best prices. It’s my new favorite place.
Just be lucky they are not dragging you to ABERCROMBIE for short short short shorts that are $100.00 .
Holy hell- I could make them a pair for FREE.
damn kids.
The warm weather will be here before you know it, and then the kids can run around in bathing suits all day! Just hold out for a little while longer — and get someone to start a toddler capri phase :)
I understand. I was just going through school uniforms – Oldest Boy can’t button a few of his pants. If the two pairs that fit can last six more weeks. C’mon, summer!
We’re down to 2 pairs of school pants for Jake and Molly’s school jumpers have turned into mini’s. Hoping we can hold out a few more weeks until summer. Of course, more laundry for mom. Ugh.
Bye, Fegan!
Miles is already the sorriest looking preschooler in the bunch. Holes, dirty, worn, faded. He’s totally stylin. :)
I know what you mean. I have barely had to buy my kid clothes in close to six years and now I know those days are coming to a close.
Great post – love it.
I take this weird (some may say unhealthy) pride in the fact that my kids wear clothes that are…weathered. I think it’s the latent hippy in me.
Yeah, I can relate. My kids are growing out of the knees and hems and I seem to be growing up and over the waists. Argh!
:^) Anna
Stopping by from SITS. I know the feeling of having kids in ragged clothes. My hubby is on me about their appearance. It is hard when they are so rough on their clothes and shoes, but their kids…what do we expect. I take it as them having fun!
I finally had to admit that my kids need more cloths so we did a Target run for anything even remotely useful for school and outside play.
I’m so excited about the warm weather – hello t-shirts and shorts…goodbye putting the kids in a thousand things before they go out the door!
:)
It’s so hard to dress them during the spring, isn’t it? Everything is either too warm or too cold.
I just did a big spring and summer shop for kids’ clothes. I like to stock up for the seasons. I don’t know why I do this, but it makes me happy or something to be what I think is organized or really just a big excuse to buy cute clothes that I don’t have to try on or think that my bum looks weird in or…you get what I’m saying….okay, what am I going on and on about?? Go shopping…that’s what I’m saying…go shopping with no kids and make sure to have a glass of wine or a margarita along the way. :)
Very cute post. I like the writing and the photos! Did you kiss the screen when you were done? I always do when it is a good one :-)
Sounds like the pants are ready for summer. Cut them off at the knees for shorts! Perfect for pulling over wet bathing suits.
And… I like your blog’s color theme. I am pondering pimping mine up a little.
My little guy seems to be shooting up so fast this year—3 months after I bought him new jeans—they are now too short…arrgghh!
Yay for shorts and tees!
Hey, how did you get all the way to my house in Israel to write about my kids?
I visibly cringed as I sent my daughter out of the house this morning in a stained faded t-shirt and stained leggings with an actual rip in the lace edging. I’m just hoping to hobble along another week or two until the hot weather is gone for good and then most of their winter wardrobes are heading straight for the trash. Most of it is too destroyed to even donate.
Oh, memories…My mom always said I looked like a ragamuffin, too. All I ever wanted to wear were hand-me-downs from my brother, so not only did I have on old, ill fitting clothes, they weren’t even for girls!
I have had to start putting the kids in their new summer clothes because their pants are too small in the waist. I love new seasons and new clothes!
I think I need to go drool over at Anthropologie!
Ive got the same things my kids will be wearing highwaters util the wamr weather is really here
I’m with you –
my son has just grown another shoe size (that’s 2 shoe sizes in 6 months… how is he related to me again?)
and i’m pulling down his pants a little to sit on his hips so they are not high-waters :)
I like other kids looking like ragamuffins. Makes my kids feel less conspicuous.
Love the photos to go along with the post! “Please sir can i have som’ mo’?”
John
http://johnandstevearehavingababy.blogpost.com