Holiday Hours

Recalls

Gap Boys Jackets

Tot Tower Blocks

Super Magnet Toys

New Stuff

I hope your Christmas was merry and peaceful. I have "de-holidayed" the store ... always a bittersweet event, as nice as it is to get ready for the new year and things to come it's hard to take down the pretty green and red decorations as they add such color and life to the store.

Today brought the arrival of two new cribs, bringing the total available to five, priced from $69.90 to $149.90.

Over the last week we've also received a number of bassinets and cradles, all in excellent condition and ready to take home.

Other new incoming includes a huge selection of girls Gymboree clothing in sizes 5 and up, baby boys clothing, a play kitchen with umbrella, more beach toys, flashcards and learning toys, and boys shorts sizes 6 to 8.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Holiday Hours

Gift Ideas, part 3

For the little prince.

Gift Ideas, part 2

For the sailor, the boater, the fisherman ...




For the littlest princess.

Collecting Beanie Babies for Kids in Iraq

Click here to read the article and find out more:

Beanie Babies for Iraq Kids

Bonita Springs Cemetery

Cemetery Falls Into Disrepair

Bonita Cemetery Monument

I am not sure what the solution is to this problem ... perhaps a group within one of the churches that own the property could take care of it? Or a scouts group? Or a group from a local high school looking for their community service hours? These groups may not be able to fix the memorial but could at least tidy up the cemetery and keep on top of the trash. I know the kids and I would be happy to volunteer to help out in any kind of effort.

My desire would be for the city to take over the upkeep of the cemetery, but they don't seem to agree with me there. In any case, something needs to be done.

Most of the historic buildings in Bonita Springs are long gone, either lost to fire, decay, or development, but we do have a wonderful rich history and it's important to remember it.

Over the summer my family discovered a small old cemetery in Rural, Wisconsin. Many of the gravestones couldn't be deciphered due to wear, but the ones we could read told such stories and gave such insight into the history of the area. The cemetery was well-maintained, telling us that the history there was respected and important. It was a very neat, memorable part of our vacation.

Gift Ideas, part 1

For the beach boy, or any child related to anyone who lives in Florida!



For the young princess.

Stokke Stroller Recall

I've never actually seen one of these strollers "live" but it has a recall.

Maybe it's just me, and I'd "get it" if I was in the market for a $770 stroller, but I this is ugly ... at least in the image shown!

Yes, Lilly

Both are girls size 4, $14.90-16.90, and both are beautiful.

RC2 Recalls The First Years™ Children’s Feeding Seats Due to Fall Hazard

RC2 Recalls The First Years™ Children’s Feeding Seats Due to Fall Hazard

Binky, Baby

Just in! More Razbaby "closes when drops" pacifiers, the pacifier that closes immediately when it's dropped ... no dust, dirt, germs! Read more here. These are so cool ... come on in and play with the one we keep on the counter! At just $4.99 each they are priced very competitively.

This shipment also contained Razbaby Raz-a-Dazzle toothbrushes, a soft, gentle, silicone toothbrush perfect for pre-brushers and new brushers ... complete with a silicone shield to prevent over insertion.

And the very popular Razbaby Raz-Berry teethers, now available in red and blue, made of a 100% medical-grade silicone with nice soothing bumps for the gums.



We also have the RazBaby Raz-Pak, a 4 compartment snack carrier. Each compartment has it's own opening to prevent contamination and to ease pouring. The four clear round containers can be used stacked together, or individually.

Hey Good Looking, What Ya Got Cooking?

Barbie kitchen with accessories $44.90



Step 2 toddler-sized kitchen $19.90 (updated: sold)

Perfect holiday gifts!

Happy Holidays

It's hard to read (it's the draft copy), but it's a 25% off coupon that will be going out to our mailing list. What you're not on the mailing list? Click here and sign up at the top of the page!

Print out the coupon (click on either coupon image ... we're not picky, and print that), bring it in, and receive 25% off any one item during the month of December.

We've got great holiday gifts for all the kiddos on your list and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

Markdowns!

The markdowns I mentioned yesterday are done. A crazy huge amount of clothing went from regular price to 1/2 off!

Get busy shopping.

The Hired Help

I hired some new "seasonal" help today. Don't worry ... Jason and I will still be around, this help is here to restock, price, hang, and put out merchandise. My new employees range in age from 4 to 9, and work in close contact with the already-on-the-payroll 14 year old.

Why am I using cheap* child labor (which, apparently, I can get away with because they're family)? Let's see ...

• 13 big boxes of Melissa and Doug, just in time for the holidays ... some great new toys and puzzles as well as restockings of our favorites
• 2 large Rubbermaid tubs filled to the brim with great clothing, including girly dress-up ballerina wear, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, boys suits, and much, much, more
• Pants ... we got ahold of some pant hangers and put out over 60 pairs of pants/shorts/skirts today
• Markdowns ... new markdowns on clothing will be done by Monday
• Toys ... yesterday I couldn't walk to the backroom because we'd taken in so many wonderful toys, including some Thomas train items. I can walk now as all the toys are priced and put out in our full, but very organized and tidy, toy room
• 26 pairs of Bobux arrived yesterday as well ... most sizes and designs are now fully stocked

*The labor worked inexpensively ... total cost for 5 laborers @ 2.5 hours of work was $23.75, but they insisted on being fed dinner at Crisper's which cost $38.00!

This End of Bonita Beach Road

I received word this morning that the deli next to me, Taste, is going to be open for lunch (I'm not sure about dinner) starting in January. "Yum" is all I have to say about that!

Have you met our other neighbors yet? A few months ago our plaza became fully leased. First came a shop selling electric bikes and bathing suits, and then a women's resale shop. Both are worth a visit.

I read in the News-Press yesterday that the Toucan Grill is going to be reopened as something else by the owner of Wyld's. And there is now a post office in the plaza behind Toucan Grill, back in the corner business (a rubber-stamping shop) where the postal station was a few years ago ... I forget the name of the former business but it was a shells and touristy stuff shop, always full of customers.

This end of the road is picking up again.

Along the same subject line, please support local business. I know it's nice to go to Coconut Pointe or Target to do your shopping and dining but it's the local businesses that add to the character of Bonita Springs. Here's a really nice article that sums it up much better than I ever could. And if that doesn't sell you on shopping local then consider the difference in service at your locally owned store (like Ditto Kiddo) and the big guy (like Target, which, for some things, I like as much as the next guy) ... we know your name and we really care.

Tis the Season

It's so hard to get a picture of the front window. Plenty of glare in daylight, and not enough light at night. Sigh ... The window itself is pretty (I think so ... but then I did it). The mannequins are standing on wrapped black, white, silver, and red boxes with pink and white ribbon, and then they are surrounded by pink, white, and red hanging balls.



We've got our garland up, windows decorated, cinnamon candles lit, and Christmas music playing. Inside, it feels like the holidays are approaching ... outside it's 80+ degrees ... the best of both worlds.



We have a beautiful rack of Christmas wear and accessories, everything from pajamas to party dresses.

Homemade Baby Food

I made baby food for all of my kids, most especially the last three. In fact, I don't think Adam or Kaden ever ate a jar of storebought baby food. I did buy the rice cereal though because it's a great thickener and I tried different recipes for baby cereal at home and didn't have success until they were old enough to advance to oatmeal and the like.

Mia, the third child, wouldn't touch baby food. No way, no how. Never took to it ... she wanted solid food. At 7 months old she was eating pizza from the restaurant in our plaza. But that's a different story ...

And why am I posting this here, you wonder? Because with all the money you'll save you'll be able to shop more at Ditto Kiddo (and I just think it's a good idea).


Here are some links for homemade baby food recipes/hints/tricks, etc. If you don't what you're looking for ask ... I may have an answer to your question.





Wholesomebabyfoods.com

Baby food recipes

National Network for Childcare: Baby Foods

More baby food recipes

Amazon.com - search for baby food recipe and plenty of books come up!

Bon Appetit!

Great Gifts at Great Prices

Just a few of the gazillion terrific gift ideas to be found at Ditto Kiddo right now.

Cribs

We have three cribs available at Ditto Kiddo today. First, the beautiful brown crib on the left. We actually have two of these, identical. The crib is a mission style crib that easily converts to a toddler bed, day bed, and full-sized bed headboard. The crib comes with a drawer underneath for added storage.

The crib is priced at $109.90, and the ecru Classic Pooh bedding set is $69.90.

Additionally we have a blue Ragazzi crib, priced at $149.90.

At this time we have two mattresses available, both priced at $24.90.

Have a Seat

Worn out from Thanksgiving and Black Friday?

Well, stop in and have a seat in one of our dreamy gliders. Feel free to take one home too ... prices range from $149.90 to $199.90 ... unbeatable for top-brand gliders with ottomans (and the $199.90 one reclines too ... pure decadence, I tell you, pure decadence).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy a wonderful day with your family.

If you brave the Black Friday crowds tell us about your finds!

We'll be open our regular hours Friday - 10:00 to 4:00, with our usual awesome deals throughout the store.

Strollers

It has been brought to my attention, after 8 years, that strollers and other items cannot be placed outside the store, not even on our own walkway (darn it!).



After much deliberation, and a good look at our available selling space, we have decided that we will no longer be accepting or carrying any strollers except jogging strollers, umbrella strollers, and bike trailers.



But of course there's a wonderful upside to this! All strollers are on sale this week for 30% off! At this time we have quite a few single strollers to choose from, as well as 2 double strollers, and one jogging stroller ... so hurry in and head out with your new set of wheels.

It's the holiday season ...

It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock ...

Really? Already? Please tell me I'm not the only person who still believes it's late summer.



Ah well, I guess there's no denying that the holidays are right around the corner, starting with Thanksgiving this week.



We've started our Christmas/winter/New Years/holiday decorating at Ditto Kiddo, so come by and see what we've done! We should be finished by Tuesday ... if all goes according to plan.



Some gift ideas for your friends and family:

Melissa and Doug toys, especially the art easel and puzzles - remember, there have been NO Melissa and Doug recalls

Because I'm Me handbags, unique gifts for the women you know

Sassy infant toys

Baby Bracelets ... at just $8 they are beautiful attached to the bow on your present!