Unbeatable Deals

I posted yesterday that everything in the store is now an additional 20% off. Which makes for some really great deals, really great. I swear, if I didn't own the store I'd be shopping myself.

Here are just a few examples of the savings you'll find on our NEW items!

Bobux shoes regularly $25.99-$26.99, now $20.79-$21.59.

Baby Banz regular price $14.99, now just $11.99.

All Melissa and Doug toys are on sale. The insanely popular easel, a staple for most homes, regularly $49.99, now an unbeatable $39.99! Only 3 left, so hurry in.

Clean Shopper shopping cart seats were $29.99, now just $23.99.

We have one Melissa and Doug puppet theater left, at it's regular price of $119 we sold almost all we had, and this last one at $95.20 will go quickly.

Yes, we can ship. We charge only shipping and packaging costs, if there are any, never a handling fee. If that interests you give us a call at 239-495-1055 or e-mail us at dittokiddo1@aol.com.

Hangers for Sale

We've started cleaning out the back rooms ... and, oh my, what a project that's going to be!

All hangers are available for sale for 5 cents each ... yes, 20 for just $1. That includes the good ones like these, which I paid an arm and a leg for. There are also some padded fabric covered children's hangers, those are going really fast, as well as adult and child plastic hangers.

All shelves are $2.90 each.

This morning I found a bag of new toys, lots of notepads and stuff, as well as some Pez dispensers, new in the packages and in sealed little bags. This stuff was behind the microwave and telephone. I remember buying the stuff, but have no idea when ... maybe 3-4 years ago? Would you think less of me if I told you the kids ate the Pez candies? Yeah, they did. They liked it too ... and only 35 calories for a whole little pack of candies.

Oh, the kids are cleaning out the store toys buckets and have already put out a few Thomas sets.

News

The time has come to say goodbye to all our company ...

Not yet, but over the next few weeks. Yes, after 8 1/2 years we're closing the doors of Ditto Kiddo.

The biggest reason ...

• Jason and I want to be home more and focus on the family, homeschooling five kids and just plain raising five kids is where I need, and want, my focus to be right now

There are lots of other reasons mixed in with that but that's the short explanation! If time permits over the next few weeks I'll go into more detail.

Get into the store now! As soon as we tell people of our plans they buy, buy, buy because they know that now's the time. We've got some great stuff right now but it's going fast!

We're no longer buying any items, of course.

We'll be honoring all frequent buyer cards that are in circulation until the end of March, but will not be giving out any new ones.

Tomorrow will be the last Grandparent's Day.

We've been asked if the store is for sale ... sure! Jason and I have a price in mind, but are pretty flexible. If you are interested, act quickly because the landlord is actively trying to lease the space.

Will we be marking everything down? Yes, within the next week or two and I'll post an announcement here ... and even the new merchandise, like Melissa and Doug will be included.

Just about everything is, or will be, for sale ... fixtures, hangers, furniture, office supplies.

We're still bringing things out of the back room and will be for a week or two so the stock will continue to change ... but, like I said, hurry in 'cause once the inventory is gone it's gone!

Our years at Ditto Kiddo have been full of joy and the memories are awesome. I'm sure there will be some tears shed before this is over and done with (um, starting now).

All Videos on Sale - $1.95!

All VHS video tapes now $1.95 at Ditto Kiddo while they last!

Choose from Rugrats, Oswald, Veggie Tales, and much, much more. Hurry in for best selection ... at this price they won't last long.

More Snoo

What's snoo?
I'm so glad you asked ...

(yeah, old joke, done here, but a goodie ... at least I think so)

This Little Tikes garden is one of my all time favorite toys. It was so great for Adam and Kaden, helping them learn to crawl, then learn to stand, and then finally to walk. They loved playing with the mailbox too. The garden comes with mail and a garden vegetable, for chewing and "planting". Just $29.99!

We've also got pack and plays, cribs, bassinets, cradles, changing tables, a rocking chair, a glider, and more, more, more!

A Baby!

Jason and I met, many years ago, at-a-now-demolished-because-there-weren't-enough-condos-in-Naples restaurant where we both worked. That restaurant was also the place we met our much loved former employees, Kelly and Nikol ... and a lot of other really cool people, like Chad and Cindy.

The summer after Jason and I began dating he, Chad, Cindy, another crazy guy named Clark (whatever happened to Clark???), and Jason's cousin, Christian, decided to go to Alaska to fish salmon. And so they went ... none of the five of them had anything remotely resembling a plan, but they had lots of youthful something.

One fine day Chad's and Cindy's eyes met across a pile of fish guts and they fell in love ... and the rest is history (ok, that might be a slight embelishment, but they did fall in love).

After the summer ended the guys came back to Naples and resumed their "normal" lives ... except Chad and Cindy, who continued traveling, working throughout Alaska and the rest of the United States, and living the lives many of us dreamed of. Eventually they married and have been settled in Alaska for quite a while. And this year our Christmas card from them contained the birth announcement of their first child!

Because we met them in Florida we had to send something reminiscent of Florida, but we also had to keep in mind that they live in Alaska.

So here it is ... a matching, beautiful Because I'm Me blanket and burp cloth. The blanket is flannel with embroidered red crabs, with super soft chenille on the reverse side. The burp pad is the same soft blue flannel. In keeping with the Florida crab theme we included a Melissa and Doug first Play crab and a Leap Frog Crab Rattle.

Congratulations Cindy and Chad!

Valentine's

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it. We've got lovely heart-themed tops and dresses as well as cute red clothes and shoes. Hurry in for best selection!

Just in today ... a Little Tikes large slide in primary colors priced at $49.90, a Thomas Ride-On Train with extra track for $149.90, and toys galore.

Recalls

Gap Boys Jackets

Tot Tower Blocks

Super Magnet Toys

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

Gift Ideas, part 1

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



For the young princess.

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!

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!

Great Gifts at Great Prices

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

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!

New Melissa and Doug Toys - Just Arrived

Oh what a busy day!

New stuff, new stuff, new stuff ...



Just when you've decided that all I do all day is sit around and eat bon-bons (I don't, but I can't deny that I've been eating pink m&m's ... to help fund breast cancer research, of course) ... I present some of the new items that have come in this week.



There is plenty more, like two white cribs ... pictures to come in the next day or two. Speaking of cribs, we've received the parts for the recalled Simplicity crib we have and it's ready to go to ... a pretty, simple light wood crib.



To change the subject completely, the kids and I kept very busy this afternoon doing markdowns ... lots and lots of markdowns, so come on in and check out the clearance racks.



We've also received a number of holiday dresses and outfits, enough that they are on their own rack. Now is the time to get these items, at our prices they don't last long.



At closing today we accepted a Little Tikes Climb and Slide Castle, as well as a neat Little Tikes water table.



We just happened to drop in to the Diamond District today. Seriously, not somewhere we go every day but so worth taking a look ... the diamonds are breathtaking. My gentlemen working there were so nice, really nice - not fake nice, and helpful.

The reason I'm telling you this is because as we were parking we noticed a new business, Kid Zoo. It's one of those kids play places ... looked interesting and worth checking out, and it's nice that it's in Bonita.

Clothing ... oh yes, lots of clothing.

If you've got a boy in a size 3 or 4 we've got clothes for you! Actually, there's a great selection in every size but the preschool boys rack is especially full, and all great brands like Gap, Gymboree, and Ralph Lauren.

Also, our larger girls clothing selection, sizes 8 and up, is exceptional. Roxy, Gap, Limited Too, etc.



High chairs ... we currently have six, including two Peg Perego. Baby swings ... also 6, including two cradle-style by Fisher Price.

Oh yeah, how could I not mention this sooner ... we have 3, yes THREE, single jogging strollers from $79.90 ... I'll try to post photos in the next day or two.