Toddler’s Princess Heels Steal Holiday Road Trip

Amanda Gouveia, 37, was juggling last-minute tasks-packing snacks, switching off lights-while her three daughters climbed into the car. Her husband, Jeron Gouveia, 35, was ready to hit the road for a week-long holiday. The family of five left their Virginia home after what the mom called a “chaotic” morning.

It wasn’t until halfway through the drive that Amanda realized something was off. At a bathroom stop she asked the girls if everyone had shoes on.

“They all chirped ‘yep,'” Amanda tells News Of Los Angeles. Avery held up her feet, proud to show she had indeed brought footwear: sparkly plastic princess heels.

The family burst into laughter. Avery, the youngest of the girls-Logan, 6, and Finley, 8-had chosen the shoes herself. Amanda says the toddler is “very literal” and “knows exactly what she wants.”

Avery’s shoe selection turned the rest stop into an impromptu parade. Strangers laughed, gave high fives, and complimented the confident toddler as she “slapped around in her heels.”

Amanda captured the moment and posted it on Instagram, where the video exploded. The clip has:

Commenters rushed to share their own packing fails:

• “I let my daughter pack for herself once when she was 5… Swimsuits and stuffies. 😆”
• “If she wants princess heels and a dress then so be it 😂😂”

Amanda says the viral response shows how universal the struggle is. “She loves to make people laugh, she’s outgoing and loves her people hard,” the mom adds.

The family kept driving, princess heels and all. Avery stayed the “life of the party” for the rest of the trip, her plastic heels clicking against every rest-stop pavement.