Something strange and new is happening

Finally

Yeah, so this was fun when I posted the first picture two weeks ago, and we'd really given up hope by this one, but it has finally happened ...




They've painted our building!

This was supposed to happen around the beginning of June, if I remember correctly. The picture I posted two weeks ago is the bathroom window (yup, Nikol was right) ... yes they painted the bathroom window ... in fact, they painted it both times they've painted the building so it's got strips of the new and the old color. I can't really complain though ... we've still got hurricane wood on that window from Charlie (we're afraid to tempt fate by taking it down).

The second picture is the front of the store, and that's how it looked for a week and a half (Beth guessed correctly). They'd started painting and then it started raining and some of the paint dripped down the building. In some spots it was kind of cool, but overall ... not so much.



See what I mean?



But now here we are two weeks later with a fancy "terra cotta" colored building with bright blue roof. I'm happy ... it's definately more visible from the road and a much more current color. It'll make my life easier on the phone too ... no more saying "look for the kind of cream colored building with bright red and blue sign", now I can say "orange building with blue roof ... you can't miss it!".

Now come on in and check out our new "outerwear".

Pack and Play/ Play Yard Recall

Kolcraft Recalls Play Yards After the Death of a 10-Month-Old Child

Snoo

"Oh wow. Look at that snoo!"
"What's snoo?"

I"m so glad you asked ...


Fisher Price Tool Bench, includes a ton of tools and extras $33.90


Peg Perego Prima Pappa high chair, looks new $69.90


Mongoose folding tricycle $19.90


Dutalier reclining glider with ottoman (warning: addictive!) $199.90


Simmons light wood crib $149.90


I went to take a picture of all the nicely organized Fisher Price Little People things we put out this morning and this is what I found. :) All will be organized, and this is actually shows quite a bit of what we have ... castle, 2 houses, garage, firetruck, barn, zoo train, circus train, and more! The Little People things sell very quickly so hurry in!

Melissa and Doug Toys

As you know, I carry Melissa and Doug toys at Ditto Kiddo. With the multitude of recent recalls I feel it's important to state that Melissa and Doug toys are safe from lead paint and other toxins. The company has employees of their own at all their factories in China and testing is done constantly to make sure their products meet all US safety standards. Their toys are also retested after entering the United States. NONE of their toys have been involved in a recall.

I had the pleasure of speaking with a company spokesperson yesterday and have every confidence that their toys are safe, and will not hesitate to continue allowing my five children to play with them.

Below are a few links regarding the safety standards of Melissa and Doug Toys (basically, they say what I want to but better than I can, and have done the legwork and research for the rest of us):

• Melissa and Doug toys are safe from all toxins and lead based paints
• Tots, toys, and toxic paints don't mix
• Not made in China
• The great toy recall of 2007
• Toy origins

I also carry Sassy toys, which have not been involved in any recalls and have received high praise in safety testing. I'll continue to carry and confidently promote these toys along with the Melissa and Doug toys.

Hey Look ... More Recalls

Guidecraft Puppet Theaters

JoAnn Fabrics and Craft Toy Rakes

RC2 Recalls Knights of the Sword Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Target Recalls Children’s Toy Gardening Tools and Chairs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

RC2 Corp. Recalls Additional Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

For more information about these and other recent recalls please visit the Consumer Products Safety Commission at cpsc.gov.

So we keep waiting

Waiting on the world to change

We keep on waiting

Waiting on the world to change

Guess?

Ok, so maybe I'm not waiting on the world to change like John Mayer but I AM waiting for a change! The above is more of this, but still I can't fill you in on it.

Soon?

Dutalier Glider and Ottoman in Red and Blue Bandanna Prints

Just in!



Custom upholstered Dutalier Glider and Ottoman
$179.90

Simplicity / Graco Crib Recall

These cribs are REALLY common.

About 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths
The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio. The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.

Awesome Crib Bedding Idea

I'm madly in love with this canopy idea! (and to tie it into Ditto Kiddo: any of our wonderful bedding sets could be adapted to this idea with a trip to the fabric store!). See more at the Whistle and Wink website.

Caterpillar Front Loader Ride-On Toy

8

Ditto Kiddo is turning 8!

Click on one of the photos above or below (or just click here) to receive our birthday gift to you!

Why are we celebrating for a month? I have a relatively bad memory, could be old age, could be kids, could be lack of sleep, who knows. So I thought the Ditto Kiddo anniversary/birthday was this month. But it's next month. So I figured, what the heck, we'll offer the coupon for a whole month. Plus, what almost-eight-year-old doesn't think their birthday should be celebrated for a whole month?


Eight years we've been in business. That's hard to believe until I look at the kids, both mine and yours, and realize how much they've grown and changed.

Thank you ... for your business, of course, but mostly for allowing us into your lives and sharing your children and grandchildren with us. One thing I've always said about Ditto Kiddo is that it's fun to go to work ... I don't have very many grumpy customers, instead I'm blessed with lots of proud parents, boasting grandparents, and excited parents-to-be. So, thanks, and enjoy our birthday with us.

Little of that, little of that

I had every intention of explaining this photo today, but I can't, yet. I have a feeling there's an interesting story to go with the reason why I can't, and I shall tell you, but it'll have to wait. The plot thickens ...

The real question on everyone's minds seems to be whether or not we're buying this week. And THAT I can tell you ... Yes, we are. Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 to 3:00 (except Thursday when we buy until 2:00, because we close at 2:00). Please remember, a maximum of 20 items, and all clothing must be neatly folded or flat, no plastic bags of clothing.

The gals in the photo are getting ready for a birthday celebration ... someone is going to be 8 years old! More on that tomorrow, unless you've joined our mailing list, then you'll get the scoop (and a coupon) tonight.

Time For a Cool Change

Any guesses?

More to come ...

Shopping to Save

Many of us are creatures of habit and we do not necessarily like change. We shop for the same items at the same store just because that's the way we have always done it. That's unfortunate, because sometimes changing where and how we shop for things can save us a great deal of money.

Here are some examples of shopping opportunities at Ditto Kiddo that will make a difference in your family budget and stretch your dollars!

Jeans ... boys Gap jeans retail for between $19.50 and $34.50 (even more for girls!), at Ditto Kiddo they are just $7.90 or $8.90, depending on embellishments ... a savings of more than 50%

Cribs ... a Ragazzi crib retails for about $799, at Ditto Kiddo the same crib is $199, just a small fraction of the new price

Halloween Costumes ... why pay up to $39 or more for a costume when the most expensive costume at Ditto Kiddo is $7.90, and most are under $5.00

Baby Gear ... a Fisher Price Papasan swing is $139 at Target, and just $89.90 at Ditto Kiddo ... saving you $49.10

Toys ... Target sells the Fisher Price Little People Zoo Train for $14.99, at Ditto Kiddo it's only $7.90

Sweaters ... 95% of the sweaters at Ditto Kiddo sell for under $10, and all are in excellent like-new condition

Books ... Ditto Kiddo sells all kids books for $.50 ... that's a price that just can't be beat!

Winter Jackets ... all jackets are always under $14.90 at Ditto Kiddo

Other benefits to buying like new items at Ditto Kiddo:
**Items are already put together (I know I'm not the only one who has cursed more than once assembling toys and gear)

**Shrinkage ... there won't be any - what you see is what you get, along the same lines you know how the clothing will look after it's been washed because it already has been!

**Recycling ... this one goes without saying, recycling is good for all of us

**Customer Service - have a question, ask us, we're always perfectly happy to give you our honest opinion about products, based on what we've been told by our children, customers, friends, trade publication reviews, etc.

What's a pirate's favorite letter? Arrrr....

Ahoy Matey, next Wednesday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Below are a few piratey goings on ... so grab your treaure map, eye patch, and gold earring and set off on an adventure.

If your kids have ever made a sibling walk the plank or search for treasure in the sand, you'll want to check out FamFest Pirate Adventure, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at North Collier Regional Park in Naples. There'll be treasure map making, a pirate ring toss, rock wall, shark necklace making and a showing of "Pirates of the Caribbean." Plus, ship-building, a coloring station, making a Jolly Roger (flag, for those landlubbers among ya), face painting and a giant inflatable slide. The first 1,500 children receive a treasure map and booty bag.
Admission is free. North Collier Regional Park is at 15000 Livingston Road in Naples.

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The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding its 2nd Annual Pirate Festival event on Old San Carlos Boulevard on October 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th this year. The Pirate Festival is designed to be a family oriented four-day event focusing on activities for the children. Events planned for the Festival include a medieval skits from the Pirate Club of the Tortugas and a Treasure Hunt for children and adults. Professional Pirate Crews will provide entertainment throughout each day except Monday. Seafood vendors will provide food from their own booth. Merchants will be invited to sell related wares. Along with the food vendors and merchants, event goers will be able to purchase beverages from Budweiser and Pepsi.This year the Pirate Festival Committee has designated the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Camp in Lake Wales as the recipient of a donation from the event. The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club will be active participants in the planning and implementation of the Pirate Festival. The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club will implement the Children's Treasure Hunts. The Bay Oaks Recreation Center will be helping with the event in exchange for a donation as well.

Captain Paul ... a pirate with a yacht (and pictured at right)

Coming October 7th ... Pirate Adventures for the family on the high seas (note: we tried to look into this last fall and had no luck getting ahold of anyone, so be patient if you need to call a few times)

Buying Update

I hope a wonderful, relaxing weekend was had by all!

At this time Ditto Kiddo is buying like new baby gear and furniture.

We expect to begin accepting clothing and shoes on September 18th, but recommend calling first to double check.

As always, we buy Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00.

Thanks!

Cool New Stuff

Call or stop in for details!

In the winter my dog wears his coat, but in the summer he wears his coat and pants.

Bottom(s) Line:
A busy day we had today ... pricing, hanging, and putting out jeans, skirts, shorts, and pants. If you've been in lately and didn't find the bottoms you were looking for, hurry back in because we've really filled the racks!












In other news, we received a bassinet just like this one today. It's beautiful ... just dreamy. We've got it at the front of the store right now next to a natural colored changing table/dresser with hutch, a white toddler bed, and a white rocking chair.

MORE Recalls - Barbie Toys, a crib, GeoTrax stuff, and Bongo Band Toys

Here we go ...

Barbie Accessory Toys
Bongo Band Toys
GeoTrax Locomotive Toys
NettCo Cribs