Well Kitty m'dear, you only think you can write what you like because nobody reads it:) I must commend you on imparting such necessary life skills to your children......especially the ability to forge your signature. It's bound to be more useful to them than anything they'll learn in school.
As to leather shoes, you're right. People seem to wear runners/training shoes no matter what the weather. I suppose if the global warming crew get their way we'll have no plastic nor leather either and we'll be back to wrapping our feet in rags:)