(Miss Mushi shoes from Yochi Shoes)

They are all over China. Squeaky shoes. We bought pairs there in 4 different sizes. Then, on the plane trip home as we listened to a little boy pace the aisles wearing his new pair, we wondered if we should have used that luggage space for some more Chinese silks instead.

Fast forward 3 years and a handful (foot-full?) of squeaky shoes later, I can attest that I dig them after all.

Yes, I admit that the sound of a doggy squeaky toy squeaking every time she takes a step could get annoying and does tend to turn heads. BUT, the benefits make every squeak worth it. Because when I’m waiting in the pharmacy line and my little monkey does this…

or when I’m making copies and my little one decides smelling lollipops is more fun than pushing buttons…

or when I’m headed out to the car and get a phone call and take my eyes off of her for a millisecond…

or when I’m looking for craft supplies for my 9-year-old entrepreneur and realize my 4-year-old explorer is no longer right by my side…

yeah, that’s when I sing a rousing rendition of, “Oh, how I love squeaky shoes” because despite myself, I know exactly where she is. I can thank the squeaky shoes for that.

In fact, these shoes may have been designed just for her.