Simple Joys: The Shoe Bin

Spring and fall you will find a collection of boots, muddy shoes, and soccer cleats, come summer it is filled with sandals, crocs and cleats and then winter it is over taken by boots.

While your seasons and activities may vary from here, in South East Wisconsin, most likely the the pile and collection of shoes is still a part of your mud room or entry way “decor”.

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. – e.e. cummings

I don’t know about you but the reality of our Boot Box (that is what we call our little red bin the kid’s shoes are contained in) is that it is not always the cleanest and most organized, but the kids do know this is where their shoes will end up.

I would love to say that the shoes are nicely placed and limited to the equal number of shoes that fit for each kid, but the reality…. is it’s like that for about 12 hours, following one of the kids picking the “clean the mudroom” chore stick (Check out our chore stick routine and method HERE).

It is one of the areas in motherhood I have embraced the Elsa mind-set and “let it go”. And while working out the other morning, next to the bin full of the kid’s shoes, (yes the mudroom, is also my workout space!) I also added to my boot box mind-set, shifting to one of joy.

Simple Joys: The Boot Box

Joy comes in the ordinary moments. – Brene Brown

I’ve come to appreciate all the shoes, boots, sandals, cleats, and on and on… that our kids grow out of faster than we could have imaged, that play a role far beyond their practical use.

Covered in scuffs, and dirt, they represent the fun, the adventures, the lessons learned and are the quiet companions through their day.

They are along for the ride as they navigate school; from the bus ride in, to wondering the hallways and making new friends. To the games played in gym and recess and through the arguments of whether the ball was in or out in four square.

They are a parallel symbol of the same path our kids are taking as they learn and grow. They endure scraped toes as the unintentional bike break, the soles are scuffed from climbing trees, filled with sand, woodchips, rocks, dirt, and probably some apple juice! They are covered in grass stains from backyard baseball and spring soccer games. Each mark, scrape, scar signifies an adventure, lesson and moment in their life.

They tell a story of their journey, as they are joyfully engaging with the world, unbothered by the inevitable wear and tear. They are along for the UTV adventures, covered in lake water and waterpark splashes. Mud from a hike with friends and dust from the softball field.

Step by step they are along for the highs and lows. The scrapped knees, Easter Egg hunts, Christmas concerts, sibling disagreements and summer road trips.

The porch scattered with the sneakers and sandals of a summer play date or the mudroom filled with snow boots from a winter thaw, allow the pile of shoes to bring you a moment to pause, appreciate and find joy in the ordinary moments that fill your life and our kids’.

What are your favorite “Boot Box” Memories?