About a Boy

{On Yiani — Vilebrequin trunks. On me — Zingara tunic and Ray-Ban sunnies}

Most moms complain that dressing their boys is just plain ol’ b-o-r-i-n-g. But I completely disagree. In fact, when given the opportunity to dress up my little guy, I always reach for the same tried-and-true brands: Vilebrequin for the beach, Ralph Lauren for day and night, Old Navy for vintage-looking message tees, Gap for casual duds and H&M for the in vogue stuff I don’t want to spend a lot of money on — like silver high-top sneakers à la Kanye West. When I’m abroad, I always go to Zara because their kid’s section is always on-trend and wallet friendly.

This picture was snapped recently on Miami Beach, which happens to be my son’s “happy place.” Like his mama, Yiani (Greek for “John”) can spend hours zigzagging along the shore, capturing teeny crabs, shrimp and shells. We’ll give the sea creatures names and play with them awhile and eventually set them free. He’ll test his limits and doggy paddle far away into the deep blue yonder (I’m fairly certain he swam to Cuba on at least one occasion) and I’ll emphatically chase him — screaming! pulling my hair! — to get his bum back to the shore…or else.

He’ll create soggy sandcastles, shoo away nettlesome seagulls and nibble on ketchup-drenched french fries. He’ll make friends with kids from exotic places, imprison gelatinous jelly fish in buckets and ask me a 435 questions about sharks. A rosy glow will eventually surface on his pillow-y cheeks signaling it’s time to pack up and go home.

And me? I relish the fact he’s making memories he’ll never forget.