Just in: Eight3One

We are always happy to see local designers with fun items to sell in our store. The t-shirts from Eight3One are just that!

Their Urban Pop features the hip side of the street. The idea of combining old school ideas with contemporary fabrics promises to raise your infant's cool factor.

And, Tot Couture, is organic and fresh. Elegant clean lines decorated with whimsical designs and colors. It's as if the creatures your baby might be daydreaming about appear right on their outfit!

Sven & Aimee proudly design and produce all of their baby/toddler apparel creations locally in Seattle, Washington. Come on in and check out the collection!

Local Color: More Parks

Since we are tiring of our routine parks and parks that we love, I thought I'd share some additional parks that we've broken our routine to visit:

• There are water fountains thatshoot up from the ground across the streetfrom the Ballard library on NW 20th Street, oneblock north of Market Street.
• The squirting frogs in the main square of Uvillage, just across from Trophy cupcakes.
• Salmon Bay Park (Ballard, 19th and 68th) has shade and a great zip line!
• Discovery playground, just past the visitor center has shade and a nice play structure.
• Meridian park has a water/sand box along with a dry sand box and tons of flat, grassy ground to run around.

How about you? How are you breaking your summer routine?

Stay Cool!

With the record-breaking heat, we are living in our basement (the only cool spot). How are you staying cool? Here are some random ideas from various sources:

Things we've tried

• Sprinkler in the shade
• Downtown library
• Bookstores
• Frozen grapes (and any other fruit)

Restaurants with A/C:

• Top Pot donuts
• Buca de Beppos
• Tutta Bella
• Whole Foods food court
• Spagetti Factory
• McMenamins
• Any big chain

Fun places to hang out

• Today's Farmer's Market (has gelato)
• Blue Highway Games
• Science Center or Children's museum
• The squirting frogs/turtle fountain at Uvillage
• The Seattle Center fountain
• Wading pool
• Salmon Bay park is mostly shaded (and has a zipline!)

Any other ideas?

Top 5 Birthday Gifts for 1 Year Olds

It's Top Five Friday so here are our take on (kid powered) birthday presents for that big 1 year old milestone:

• Pull along zebra: Made from natural rubberwood recycled from rubber trees no longer able to produce latex. Non-toxic, water based dyes to add accent colors to products. But the cutest part will be watching the your toddler waddle along with her new friend.


• Jumping Rody horse: Made of super strong, latex-free vinyl, this jumping horse inflates to a saddle height of up to 12 inches with a hand or foot pump. Not only a great friend, this horse will help learn balance and coordination while having a grand ole time


• See Kai Run Shoes: These are just cute, cute, cute!


• Dress up clothes by Sarah Silks: If you've ever been to our story time with Moon Paper Tent, you know that the first thing the kids go for are the dress up clothes. You can get these for only a few bucks at thrift stores, too.


• Oval Xylophone by Plan Toys: An enjoyable way to exercise eye-hand coordination. To reinforce your children natural sense of harmony and rhrthm.

Ideas to Calm Your Crying Baby

We all know that tantrums represent real emotions and should be taken seriously. We previously posted some tips for car seat crying. Now, here are some ideas for those tantrums we all know and (try) to embrace:

• Identify the trigger and keep a diary. What set your child off? Was she hungry, tired, over-stimulated, sick, bored?
• Stay cool. It’s hard not to panic, especially when in public. So when your child is out of control it’s very important that you stay in control. Carry them away and let them blow off some steam in the car or a private area.
• Plan ahead. Well-rested and well-fed children make activities and errands easier to accomplish. The morning is the best time for outings, during the afternoon one can become tired and cranky.
• Create a list within your diary. “my child behaves best when…” “my child behaves worst when…”

Anything we've missed? We'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions!