When we bought Gavin's first pair of shoes months ago, we settled for form over function with a pair of really cute boat shoes from BabyGap. Now that he's walking everywhere, Gavin needs a pair of properly-fitting shoes so that he gets off on the right developmental foot, so to speak. As such, we visited the Stride Rite store at Crabtree Valley Mall yesterday to have Gavin's feet sized.

Daddy says this device is called a Brannock Device, if you've ever been curious. Yeah, neither was I.

A few tears later (Gavin has issues with strangers touching his feet, apparently), we left the store with a pair of 5 1/2 Wide dark brown Natural Motion System Tumble Hook and Loop shoes.

Gavin tested them outside of the REI store at North Hills.

Mommy and Daddy particularly liked this shoe style because they worked well for both play and church. Here, Gavin looks more like a three-year-old as he models his new shoes (and brand new outfit!) after church this morning.

No more pictures today. You'll have to talk to my agent.

Made of synthetic rubber with an extremely high coefficient of friction, these soles feature lateral grooves and staggered nodules to provide optimal traction for hiking in the woods or chasing a feline around the living room...

Here, Gavin breaks into his best impression of Gene Kelly dancing on the table in Summer Stock.

You gotta dig, dig, dig, dig for you dinner! Diiiig, brother, diiiiiiiig!

Mommy, stop singing. You're embarrasing yourself, though not as badly as with your dancing in that last video.

OK, Gavin. I'll stop now.