Get your tissues ready

I don't even know where to begin with this one, but I know I HAD to share this with you.  My daughter Rose, is 10 years old, going on 25 (oy!)...This little beauty amazes me with her kind heart, her generous spirit and her ability to empathize with others. Rose is such an amazing gift to anyone and everyone she comes in contact with. 

Background - Rose has struggled through school. She has been tested on every level - too smart, not smart enough, ADD, ADHD, dyslexic, any label that is out there - they tested her for it.  The conclusion - Rose is Rose.  She does what she wants when she wants to and on her own time.  Fast forward to 4th grade and our move to new home and new school.  She was placed in a classroom with an amazing teacher (thank you Mrs T), in which had Hard of Hearing children.  (Note: Rose can hear perfectly...well except for the usual selective hearing issue)  She began watching and soaking in the interpreter's "words". Out of nowhere she was signing, all the time.  Initially, we thought this was some joke, but she was seriously signing!  She began thriving again at school and became fast friends with the hard of hearing students. She's even got the interpreters in awe of her natural gift.

And now on to today at her 5th grade class's Poetry Coffeehouse (minus the coffee - doh!).  This video clip is Rose signing her poem while the interpreter reads it.  It is HER original poem about what it must be like to be deaf.... (Grab your tissues, friends - I'm still a sappy mess just thinking about it).

She should be so proud of herself...

the Leaves are Falling!

I heard squeals in the back yard yesterday....

Another childhood memory - the big piles of leaves in the back yard.  I don't know what it is about a big mound of leaves that screams "jump on in" or "throw me up in the air".  But it's what I think of every time I see a giant pile of freshly raked leaves.  And then I remember how itchy they get when you get those crunchy tree leaves in your shirt and pants.  *itch, itch*

What do you think of when you see a pile of leaves?

You're going to want to read this one...The perfect parenting manual!

I was elated when I discovered that Ray Lincoln was writing a parenting book based on temperaments.  I have personally asked Ray for advice and coaching sessions, which I believe has changed my life and outlook on myself and the people around me...Especially my children. 

Ray has taught me so much.  He's taught me that everyone is gifted and talented, just in different ways.  Not one person fits into a box or mold. After reading this book and applying his principles I completely understand where my kiddos are coming from. If you've got that one (or two, or three) child that you just don't understand you MUST read this book!!

Crazy enough, I understand my husband better too!  Ray is truly a gift from God and I recommend you RUN (ok, click) as quickly as possible and pick up the book!

If you act now (yes, I am going to be a car salesman now :)) you'll even receive some FREE SWAG!  Who doesn't love free stuff?  Click here to purchase a copy today (and collect the free goods too!)

Share this info too!  Know someone who is struggling with a child?  OR even makes a fabulous gift for teachers. Don't keep this info to yourself - please pass it on.

After you do, I'd personally love to hear what you have to say about Ray's book!

Halloween!

My favorite time of year, Fall, is coming. And along with the season comes the fun holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and then we end our year with New Years. It's crazy to think that this time will all be here before we know it. And it tends to go even faster when you've got kids.

I love searching the web and brick and mortar stores for cute costumes that go with Monkey-Toes. I will also be posting other ideas for homemade costumes, so stay tuned!

For some outfits that would work for the month of October AND for Halloween check out these adorable ideas from Carters.com (many of these finds I actually ran into while walking through the Carter's outlet store). Enjoy!

Click here to visit the Carter's Halloween Shop

How do you plan to dress the kiddos this year?
(images courtesy of Carters.com)

HOW TO: The Ladybug Birthday

We're constantly getting calls and emails for a last minute Little Ladies shoes for a birthday party!  Who woulda thought, our little ladybug shoes would be the finishing touch to a cute little ladybug themed birthday party.  We're so honored to be a guest at each and every one of those cutie patutie parties. And with so many requests I decided to recruit The Indie Tot's (@theindietot) very own Erika Pitera to show us HOW TO throw your very own ladybug party.  Whether you're crafty or not I know YOU can do it :). Enjoy...

 If you’re looking for a children’s birthday party theme that’s simple, fun and guaranteed to be a smashing success, try planning your party around a ladybug theme! For those of us who aren’t so crafty, a ladybug theme is really easy to shop for and decorate. You can do a lot with simple, inexpensive store-bought decorations, but if you really want the party to pop, give some of these ideas a try.

Invitations

(1) Once you get an idea of how many children to invite, you can find plenty of sources for customized and personalized birthday party invitations. I particularly like vanillaink’s Ladybug Custom Birthday Invitation because the shop will customize the design to fit any message you want.
Then, within 24-48 hours, you’ll get an e-mail proof. Once you give the okay, you’ll receive a high resolution file via e-mail that you can take to any professional printing store or print at home. It’s simple, affordable and great for last-minute planning!

Partyware

(2) With solid red and black partyware, you can create a cute ladybug theme with relatively little effort. Plates and Napkins, for example, offers solid red and solid black plastic utensils, plastic or paper plates, crepe paper streamers, tablecovers, etc. You can mix and match the solid colors and then accent with the red and black polka dot balloons.
If you purchase extra red paper plates and some craft store staples like glue sticks, felt, wiggle eyes, etc., you can even let the kids make their own paper plate ladybug crafts (click here for some ideas).

Sweets

(3) Thanks to Wilton’s Lady Bug Cake Pan, you can even have a sweet little ladybug birthday cake!
If you’re not up to baking a cake, there are plenty of options online for ladybug-themed cupcake wrappers or even edible fondant cupcake toppers.

Outfits

(4) You can really let your little one be the star of her birthday party with a pair of Little Ladies MJs from Monkey-Toes. These adorable little handpainted Mary Janes are for infants and toddlers and feature an elastic buckle for easy on and off. You can also try the Little Ladies Tennis Shoes with springy laces!

(5) Monkey-Toes can easily pair with a simple red and black outfit, but if you want to go one step further, check out the Miss Ladybug Tutu Costume from PoshTots. It includes a handcrafted red prima ballerina tutu with black polka dots, a pair of polka dot wings, fur antennae and a ladybug wand!
If you’re feeling up to a craft project, you can make antennae for all of your little guests fairly easily. You’ll need thin headbands, ribbon, pipe cleaners and red or black pom poms (click here for instructions).

Handmade Ladybug Party Goods

In our recent feature of handmade ladybug party goods on Etsy, we found some adorable party favors and invitations. Click here to check out our finds!
These are just a few tips to help you with your party planning. A quick search of the Web will surely help you find even more ideas to prepare for the party.

With a little creativity and a lot of love, you can throw a fabulous birthday bash for your little ladybug!

What other themes are popular right now?  Share your favorite...

I'm gonna brag (part deux)

About a month ago I posted the Mother's Day gift I received from Ella (read it here).  Kids are so unfiltered and so precious.  Of course I cannot leave out the thoughtful gift from my other daughter, Rose (9). Along with a copy of her class picture, she gave me a book with a lovely letter and a story about helping me. It always amazes me what kids pick up on, not thinking that they will ever remember, or even cared about a particular event or gift. But they are definitely little "sponges".  This story turned out to be more about her helping me (which in my book is a wonderful Mother's Day gift - any day of the week!) than it was about how I made her feel.  Apparently, it make her feel super special to take the lead. 
Rose's story reads:

"One time when I helped my mom was when I woke up early and got dressed, fed my dog Tate, and then quietly woke up Ella, my sister. After I woke up Ella, I went up stairs and packed the lunches. I packed a PB and J sandwich, some pretzels, 2 cuties (oranges, and a bag of M&M's. What I felt when my mom woke up and I told her what I did - I really felt her thanking me because my mom just had a baby and she wakes up like, 3 times each night. I tried to get her to go back to sleep but she said no! And I poured her coffee and my step dad came back and he was so happy that we got to go to the mall and pick out lunch from the food bank (this was supposed to read "court" ha! ha!) at the mall. And I thought that my mom would just tell my step dad that "Rose woke up early and packed the lunches" But no. My step dad really said when we were eating lunch "Thank you so much for helping your mom. I really do appreciate it!". I took that as 2 whole thank yous, just because I packed the lunches. I thought it would be no big deal. But my mom and step dad took it very deeply and seriously. And now I just really want to squeeze my mom and my step dad because they thanked me for just packing lunches."

Wow! I had no idea she would love picking out her own lunch at the food bank, errr, food court  (ha! ha!) so much. It was definitely something she remembered. And of course, I remember that morning and how much it meant to me to have her help. Rose is going to be a good little mommy when she grows up!

I'm gonna brag (part un)

I LOVE the little projects I get from my kiddos. They are usually pretty well thought out from the teachers (usually the art teacher) at school. I've got all their little nick-nacks displayed on my end-table shelves for any of our guests to look at. This year I was so pleasantly surprised to receive sweet sentiments from my girls. I want to share with you Ella's little love "book". She was so proud to hand the book to me and point out her best pictures and why she chose the order she did.

The most charming part of her gift was the card, which reads:

Happy Mother's Day!
Dear Mom, You look after me like I'm an egg in your nest.
I need you to keep me warm and cozy.
I love you with all my heart!
Love, Ella

Such darling words from my dear girl - she totally makes my heart smile.

What did your kiddos make you?

just shy of a year later...i write again. i think this blogging thing has been like scrapbooking for me - an overwhelming task and i have no idea where to start. so i am posting for our Halloween Costume Contest.

we have the best contest EVER! when your kiddo takes the gold (we are thinking positive for everyone here, you're welcome) they have the chance at $25, $50 or $100 in our online store! that's insane!!! (i know that's what you are thinking) maybe we are, but we LOVE our customers and the kiddos who love our shoes.

here are the details -

All entries must be wearing a costume and Monkey-Toes.

Entries must be sent to info@monkey-toes.com by midnight (EST) Nov 10 and include the following information –

• Permission to use the digital image


• Digital image


• Parent's name


• Email


• Phone


• Child's name


• Child's age
  

Everyone is a winner! $5 coupon for any Monkey-Toes.com products - for all entries (you must have a complete entry though)

Prizes for the top 3 selections – 3rd place - $25 gift certificate for Monkey-Toes.com, 2nd place - $50 gift certificate for Monkey-Toes.com, 3rd place - $100 gift certificate for Monkey-Toes.com

Monkey-Toes and MomToBeDepot.com’s Lauri Harrison will be judging all entries. Winners will be notified by Friday November 14, 2008
In the meantime, shop online and receive free shipping from now until Halloween (October 31) – “HBLOG10”

toodles!

Log me in...

this is my very first posting ever. i'd love to know what you all want to hear about or have me share. some of you may or may not know the story of Monkey-Toes (http://www.monkey-toes.com/), my shoe and sock company. ask me anything! i am completely candid and have a really hard time sensoring myself, so shoot!

talk amongst yourselves, i'll give you a topic...

What do you honestly think about our new products? what more/less would you like to see? share anything about yourself too, what did you have for dinner last night? what are you doing now? i'd like to know more about you too.