Well, Esa's Closet has put together a list of our 10 favorite (and Free!) kid-friendly phone and tablet apps for girls.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, here they are:

My Talking Angela Explore the glamorous world of Talking Angela. Adopt Angela and make her your very own superstar. Customize her fashion, hairstyle, makeup, and home - all while playing addictively cute mini-games. iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Toy Blast Match two or more blocks of the same color to clear the level and collect the stuck toys. But be careful! It is not that easy to save all the toys while your moves are limited! Your talent in solving puzzles will be your best tool while playing this super addictive game. Bust the blocks and enjoy this colorful adventure! iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Doc McStuffins: Baby Nursery Play along in Doc McStuffins: Baby Nursery, the first free-to-download Doc McStuffins app. There’s so much you can do to take care of your very own adorable baby dolls, with the help of Doc McStuffins herself! iOS | GooglePlay

PBS KIDS Video Watch videos from your favorite PBS KIDS television series anytime, anywhere in the USA. PBS KIDS Video features thousands of videos from top PBS KIDS television series, including Curious George, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, Dinosaur Train, SUPER WHY!, Nature Cat, Ready Jet Go! and Sesame Street. *Live TV Now Available. iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Makeup Girls Are you a huge makeup fan? Then you will love Pazu’s new makeup game! More than just a makeover app, this game takes us into the world of fashion and makeup in an entirely new way. choose your own makeup, hairstyle, and much more. iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Panda Pop In Panda Pop, an evil baboon has kidnapped & trapped precious panda pups in the jungle. Strategically burst matching bubbles to beat the evil baboon & return the cubs to their worried mother! Panda Pop puts your strategy gaming skills to the test like never before! iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

iHeartRadio Family The iHeartRadio Family app is free, easy-to-use and features music from today's most popular acts like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. We've also included top stations like Radio Disney and North Pole Radio. Plus you'll be able to listen to songs performed by popular characters like Dora the Explorer, Austin & Ally and Elmo! iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Barbie™ Fashion Closet Barbie and her friends need your help to find the perfect styles as they make their dreams come true. Choose a character and create your own makeup look using fun face stencils and be creative with different hair colors! Then choose from hundreds of tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes to create the ultimate look and even create career outfits so the characters look great at their dream jobs! Once you’ve found the perfect outfit, choose from a variety of backgrounds for a photo, then add accessories and stickers to add to the scene! Get even more creative and add an artsy photo filter! Now you’re ready for a photo! You can save all your looks in your photo album and show your friends! iOS | GooglePlay

Disney Story Central Disney Story Central is a digital library filled with hundreds of reading adventures, instantly connecting your child to beloved Disney and Disney and Pixar characters. Enjoy reading adventures together as a family, or allow your child to independently discover stories they will love. Disney Story Central’s extensive library allows children to ignite their imaginations as they journey through portals of storytelling, nostalgia, promise, and delight that only the magic of Disney can offer. With new stories added weekly, personalized recommendations, and rewards to motivate reading, it’s easy to see how Disney Story Central encourages children to develop a lifelong love of reading!  You can start your collection with 4 free storybooks hand-selected by Disney. iOS | GooglePlay

Strawberry Shortcake BerryRush Strawberry and her friends want to bake fruitilicious cakes, but they need your help! Run, slide and leap through the wonderful world of Berry Bitty City and grab all the strawberries, cherries, oranges and other yummy fruit you can find! Play as Strawberry Shortcake or one of her friends! Cherry Jam, Orange Blossom, Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Meringue, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding and Huckleberry Pie… they’re all here! iOS | GooglePlay | Amazon

Here are 10 suggestions that will help keep your kids safe when surfing the net:

1. Learn as much as you can about the internet and become as savvy as possible when it comes to the world wide web.
2. Talk to your kids about what they do online. What sites do they go to? What games do they play? Etc... Bookmark those sites for quicker access.
3. Keep your computer or laptop in your family/living room, or another high-traffic area of the house. This will help you keep an eye on what's going on.
4. Have a conversation with your child about why it's important not to give out any personal information. No names. No passwords. Don't give information about where they live, what school they attend, or other places they go to often.
5. Teach them about proper online conduct. Encourage them to talk to you if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable. 
6. Set a schedule for internet use. 
7. Install parental controls. Norton Family is one of best parental controls software available. They also have a free version that gives you basic protection, as well as paid subscriptions with more features.
8. Emphasize the importance of not accepting a friend request on social networks from people they don't know.
9. Discuss online bullying and ways to help prevent it.
10. Contact local authorities or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you or your child notice anything that raises suspicion.

You may also want to consider creating a Family Contract for Online Safety, like the ones found at www.SafeKids.com.

Let's keep working together to keep our kids safe!

1. The Slouchy Beanie

Knitted beanies have been around for a long time. They originated with seamen, fisherman, hunters, and other outdoor occupations because they provide phenomenal warmth during the winter months.

The slouchy beanie, however, became the trend a few years back when the urban bohemian style was all the rage. With its warmth and chic slouch, this modern-day version of the knitted beanie is still on top of this fashion list.

2. Infinity Scarf

Why the infinity scarf? Because it's so easy for little ones to wear! 

Regular scarves need to be tied, which can be difficult for children who haven't perfected the contemporary scarf knot just yet. The infinity scarf just wraps! Wrap once, twice, or even three times. Wrapping is so simple to do. And because it's an endless loop it doesn't fall off, so your little girl can play in the snow worry-free all day.

3. Leg Warmers

Remember in the 80's when leg warmers were totally rad? Well, they've made an incredible come back in recent years.

These are perfect for times when snow pants are out of the question. Wear them with jeans or tights for extra leg warmth. Many girls wear them under knee-high boots for a more snug fit and some have even been known even wear them on their arms!

They're so cute and versatile!

Looks like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper had it right!

What are some of your favorite winter accessories?

I opened up my laptop and started a Google search for yummy Fall recipes. 

Holy cow! I was inundated with so much stuff. So I dug a little deeper and found the most delicious recipe for Apple Peanut Butter Cookies. I was going to make my mom's famous Hot Spiced Apple Cider to go with it but found a more interactive way to make it with my kiddos.

Let's start with the cookies first.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shortening or room temperature butter
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I used creamy instead)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup grated peeled apple (I used my immersion blender)
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Step 1: In a large bowl, cream the shortening (or butter,) peanut butter and sugars.

Step 2: Beat in the egg and the vanilla.

Step 3: Fold in the grated apple.

Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Step 5: Drop rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 7: Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 8: ENJOY!

Now the Hot Spiced Apple Cider...

Ever since I can remember, my mom has always made hot spiced apple cider for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I thought my mom's recipe was her own until I became an adult and found out that the recipe actually came from an old Betty Crocker cookbook.

Moms.

We still enjoy this wonderful concoction, although it's me that usually makes it now. However, this particular recipe gets the kids involved. PLUS, this way we can have it quickly whenever our little hearts desire because the kids preassemble the spices in pouches.

Here's what you'll need:

• Small coffee filters
• String
• Whole cloves
• Whole cinnamon sticks
• Orange peel
• Ginger root

In each coffee filter, depending on taste, add the ingredients to the coffee filter. We used roughly 1 tbsp of cloves, 1/2 of a cinnamon stick, about 1 sq. inch of an orange peel and decent sized chunk of the ginger root (looks about the size of a tbsp). These measurements are to my family's taste. Feel free to adjust them to yours.

Tie each pouch off tightly with string.

In a medium-sized saucepan, add 1 spice pouch to 2-3 cups of apple cider. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. 

Turn the heat off. Let the cider cool for about 5-10 minutes, or a bit longer for younger mouths. Remove the pouch with tongs. 

You'll want to drink it while it's still hot. 

The best thing about these is that you can make a few extra to have later and they pair so well with the Apple Peanut Butter Cookies!

Image Sources: Apple Peanut Butter Cookies - Taste of Home. Hot Spiced Apple Cider - Martha Stewart.

Let's start off with some Melted Crayon Rocks. I had never heard of this before and thought it sounded pretty neat. One disclaimer, you will be working with hot rocks, so if you have smaller children then you may want to have them sit on your lap while you help them.

It's pretty simple. Here's what you'll need:

• Smooth Rocks (kids will love hunting for them!)
• Crayons
• Baking Sheet
• Hand Towel/Washcloth and Aluminum Foil

While the rocks are still hot, use the crayons to color the rocks. The crayons will melt over the hot rocks and harden as the rocks cool. 

There are so many colorful creations to make. Be creative and have fun!

Once you're done you'll probably have a bunch of small, stubby crayons left over. Instead of throwing them away, why not make them into new Fun Shaped Crayons?  

Here's what you'll need:

• Leftover crayon pieces from the Melted Crayon Rocks that you just made
• The same cookie sheet
• Fun shaped flexible molds or icecube trays

Peel any paper that may still be on the crayons and break them into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces melt faster. Fill the molds with the pieces of crayon, slightly overfilling since the pieces will melt and take up less space. You can put like colors together or mix it up to make a rainbow. It's totally up to you.

Place the molds on the baking sheet and put them into the oven at about 200 degrees until the crayons melt, which should only take about 10-15 minutes. Once they're fully melted take them out of the oven. Careful not to spill! Place them the molds in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Once they're cooled and hardened, simple push each crayon out of its mold. 

Voila! Fun shaped crayons that your kids will absolutely love!

Image Sources: Melted Crayon Rocks - The Artful Parent. Fun Shaped Crayons - SheKnows

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Yes! I am a mom. I have two amazing boys, Isaak (16) and Evan (4). They definitely keep me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Isaak has just started his sophomore year in high school and has recently become a member of the Young Marines. He aspires to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and join the U.S. Navy upon graduating high school. Evan began school all together this year and is so excited! He’s learning so much and discovering so many new things. I couldn’t be more proud of both my boys!

On to a few of my interests…

First and foremost, I am a sun worshipper! I love the summertime. I enjoy the beach and being barefoot. Many people ask me why I still live in Michigan, considering it can get so cold here during the winter. My answer: Michigan is one of the most beautiful states in America! Not only that, my friends and family are here. This is where I grew up and Michigan is my home.

So what do I do in my downtime? I read. My mother is an emeritus librarian from Grand Valley State University. For those who don’t know what emeritus means (I didn’t before the word was associated with my mom), it basically means to be retired with honors, which allows her to hold her title at the University. Needless-to-say, books have been in my life from the time I was born. My favorite genre is psychological thrillers! I can’t really pinpoint an absolute favorite but I can say that the Millenium (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) series is definitely on the top of the list. Isaak's favorite is the Hatchet series. Evan's favorite is Stick and Stone.

I also consider myself to be a bit of a nature buff. My boys and I live within walking distance to Blandford Nature Center. We absolutely love to walk there and hike through the trails. There’s so much to learn there, too. They have a small animal hospital and workshops all year long. However, the best thing about Blandford is their homemade maple syrup. Mmmmm! It truly is the most delicious stuff you’ll ever taste.

Lastly, I love to run. I wish I had more time to do it. I find it to be relaxing, yet exhilarating, all at the same time. Lacing up my shoes and popping in my earbuds, feeling the cool breeze on my skin… it doesn't get any better. And there are so many benefits to running. For example, it can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and heart disease in women! Not only that, it helps with stress and anxiety. Give it a try. Who knows? You might end up loving it, too.

Anyway, thanks for having me. I can’t wait to share stories, recipes, and adventures with you all.

Stay tuned!

Sneaking veggies into children’s food can be tricky. But, creating a healthy eating style can improve you and your families health now and in the future by making small changes over time. These recipes with a healthy spin will leave your kids asking for more- it's a win for everyone!!! There are countless ideas for sneaking those veggies into your children’s meals…here are a few.

Source: USDA

According to choosemyplate.gov, in general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens can be considered as 1 cup from the Vegetable Group.

SPINACH

Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie      

Servings: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 banana, chopped
• ½ cup plain greek yogurt
• 1½ cups ice

1. Place the blueberries, spinach, and banana in a blender or food processor and blend until just combined.
2. Add in the ice and continue to blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Serve immediately.
4. Enjoy!

photo:Alaskafromscratch.com

SWEET POTATOES

Mac & Cheese                     

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pounds (16 oz) whole wheat elbow macaroni (or any other kind of pasta)
• 1 medium sweet potatoes, softened (about 1½ cups)
• 2 cups milk
• ¾ cup reserved pasta water
• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3-4 cups grated cheese
• ¾ cup whole wheat bread crumbs ( or Panko crumbs)
• 2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but still a bit firm. Reserve ¾ cup of pasta water. Drain pasta in strainer/colander and set aside.
3. Place the sweet potato flesh (no skin), milk, pasta water, yogurt, salt and pepper into a blender and blend until smooth (this hides the veggies!).
4. Then pour the milk mixture into the same pot you cooked the pasta in. Stir frequently over medium-high heat and cook until the mixture is almost simmering. Turn to low and slowly whisk in the cheese a little bit at a time. Stir until mostly melted and smooth. The cheese sauce will thicken in the oven
5. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.
6. Combine bread crumbs and olive oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

 Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.

photo: eatingwell.com

ZUCHINNI

Sneaky Sneaky Chocolate Waffles        

Serves: 12 square waffles

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour (or sub whole wheat flour)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted (or butter)
• 2 eggs
• 1¾ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 5 cup zucchini, pureed in food processor (or pureed pumpkin)
• Bonus: 1 cup chocolate chips

1. Mix dry ingredients (first seven ingredients, through cocoa powder) in large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, melt coconut oil. Whisk in beaten egg, milk, and pureed zucchini.
3. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined (do not over mix). Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Pour about ¼ cup mix per waffle and cook according to waffle iron instructions (about 3½ minutes for each batch).

 photo: thrivinghomeblog.com

CAULIFLOWER

Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice         

Makes 4 - 6 servings

 INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium head cauliflower, stem removed
• 3 teaspoons olive oil (or coconut oil)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 cup frozen mixed peas and carrots, thawed 
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, plus more for serving, optional
• 5 tablespoons sesame oil 
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced (or rotisserie chicken) 

1. Cut the cauliflower into chunks. In batches, pulse the cauliflower in a food processor until coarse in texture, like rice.This recipe uses about 4 cups of cauliflower rice. 
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil.
3. Add the eggs and quickly scramble. Transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.
4. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
5. Add the peas and carrots, scallions and cauliflower. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. 
6. As the vegetables are cooking, whisk the soy sauce and sesame oil together in a small bowl. Stir the sauce and chicken into the cauliflower mixture.
7. Cook an additional minute or 2. Stir the cooked eggs back into the mixture. 

  photo: foodnetwork.com

Outdoor Movies can be as fancy or basic as you want. Depending on your budget and how big of a crowd you will have, there are simple elements that are required for an outdoor movie night.

What you will need:

Projector- see if your local library rents them out, borrow from a friend or check out Amazon/ Craigslist.            

Seating- Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and lawn chairs. A fun idea for younger children could be creating their own “drive-in” movie theater cars by decorating decent sizes boxes. Or if you have a pool, get lots of floaties and enjoy watching a movie from the water.

Snacks- Be creative with your snacks! A fun idea is to have a popcorn bar, pop white popcorn and have a variety of add-ins to mix in (my favorite movie snack is mixing Goldfish Crackers in with my popcorn...yummm).

Adapters- Make sure you have the correct adapters/ cords to attach the projector to your laptop or DVD player.

Sound- Depending on what you already have... you can Bluetooth your laptop to your wireless speakers or if you have old PC computer speakers, those work the same!

Screen- Depending on your budget… you can use a white bed sheet, a blackout cloth, or a projector screen...  For the blackout cloth, check out your local fabric store for cotton/ vinyl blend (all you need is about two yards). Then create a simple frame from PVP pies or hang your cloth/sheet from a clothes line in the backyard. 

There are no perfect instructions on how to put together an outdoor movie night. Make it your own and have fun!

Every child should experience summer youth camp…

"The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing. Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas and even beyond home and school."
Michael Popkin, Ph.D., family therapist and founder of Active Parenting

Camp can provide an incredible experience for your child to learn and develop important life skills. According to the Search Institute, young people have seven developmental needs:

1. Physical Activity
2. Competence and Achievement
3. Self-Definition
4. Creative Self-Expression
5. Positive Social Interactions
6. Structure and Clear Limits
7. Meaningful Participation

 According to Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association, “camp gives children the opportunity to actively engage with things. It’s not just about passing a test, it’s about exploring their world.”

 Trying new things during their time at camp allows campers to set individual goals conquer their fears head on with fellow cabin mates. It is not everyday that a 2^nd grader gets to ride a zip line! Getting kids out of their comfort zone pushes them to try new things they may have contrarily overlooked at home.

The most heart-pounding activities at camp are incredibly rewarding. As a camper, I challenged myself to do level 2 of the high ropes course. High ropes definitely took my summer to new heights! With this group activity, we put communication, teamwork, and strategy into practice.

The high ropes course was one of my favorite camp memories. Throughout the course, my team and I made a few mistakes, but were encouraged by the high ropes course facilitator. Even though I was sweating and shaking like a leaf, as soon as I took the leap of faith 40 feet in the sky (caught by my harness...phhewwww) I instantly had the sense of achievement. I gained so much confidence and it empowered me to conquer my fears of height for the future. I knew that if I didn’t do it I would have major FOMO (fear of missing out). “At camp, kids learn the courage to make mistakes,” says Smith. “They learn how to try new things and take risks, something they may not always do at school when grades are on the line.”

Camp provides students with skills that they pick up throughout their week from experienced counselors. For example, they may learn how to successfully catch a fish or learn all the parts of a sailboat. They’ll come home eager to tell you story after story and possibly teach you a thing or two.

I encourage you to keep your child’s cell phone/ technology at home, because camp should be a distraction-free place. This opens the door for experiences your child might never have staying at home. Camp broadens children’s mind and exposes them to activities and memories that will help form who they are in the present and future.

Your child has the opportunity to form deep relationships through conversations and experiences with fellow cabin mates and staff counselors. At camp, I have met lifelong friends, not just my age but mentors years older than me that have been with me during my time at camp and beyond. Social media is an incredible tool to staying in touch with camp friends and mentors, especially when we are all over the country!

Every skill that your child learns from camp will build character and benefit everyone. “… these are skills that will transfer to a child’s home and school environment when camp is over,” says Smith. Even though summer camp registration may be over for Summer 2017, plan ahead, and think of what camp you will send your child to next summer!

Campfires, large group games, crafts, sailing and camp cheers are just a few of my favorite things about camp. Youth camp is an opportunity for kids to escape everyday life and enjoy a week of adventure. I encourage all kids to experience youth camp; some time away from their parents and the distractions of everyday life.  

Starting in 5^th grade, every summer I went to a Bible camp up in the boonies of Northern Wisconsin. Throughout the school year I looked forward to that one week with my cousins at camp. Camp was our happy place, where we expected and made countless memories (that we still laugh at today). My childhood dream was to be a camp counselor when I grew up. About 10 years later, I had the opportunity to be a camp counselor with my cousin! It was amazing! It was so fun to be on the other side of camp and being a part of all the behind the scenes action. This was not only an incredible opportunity, it also made me reflect on my own experiences as a camper. I realized how much of an impact that each one of my counselors had on me throughout the years as a youth camper. They listened, had patience with my goofiness, and taught me some valuable life lessons even if it was a week each summer. During my high school years, I did not attend camp, so driving down that dirt road onto camp’s grounds as a counselor was very nostalgic. I was honored to be a camp counselor; it gave me an opportunity to share the experiences that I had a camp as a youth camper with my own campers.

I believe that camp is a place where you learn a ton about yourself and shape your personality. From meeting your fellow cabin mates to learning how to sail; camp shaped who I am today. At camp, I feel I like I was continuously learning more and more about myself. As a camper, I learned that underneath your fears lie great opportunities. During camp, we as campers would sign up for “program time” and we happened to sign up for boating class. Kayaking, canoeing and paddle boating was a piece of cake, but sailing was something that I feared. What if the boat tipped over? What if the sail hits me in the head? Well, on the last day of program time, we had sailing lessons. As worry and anxiety filled my head, a sense peace calmed my fears and I knew if I didn’t face my fears I would miss out on fun. So, I did it. My cousin and I swam out to the anchored Sunfish sailboat, hoisted ourselves up, unhooked the boat from the buoy, put up the sail and it was smooth sailing from there. Just kidding… About 5 seconds into our sailing excursion, a strong gust of wind propelled the sailboat into the middle of the lake. Laughing hysterically, my cousin and I figured out how to steer the rudder. But with uncontrollable laughter we got distracted and the boat proceeded to spin in a circle. The wild wind whipped the sail to the left and to the right, smacking me on the side of the head, knocking me overboard. After I emerged from the water, I looked up and in slow motion the sail boat tipped over. Just over 30 minutes prior, we learned that tipping the boat completely over meaning “turtling” the boat. Whelp, we turtled the boat. With our life vests on, my cousin and I called for the lifeguard to come save us in his motor boat. We laughed the whole ride back to the beach. The sail did hit my head and the boat did turtle, but priceless memories were made and I am so glad I faced my fears.  After this experience, with lots of practice, I successfully learned how to sail. I was able to take my own campers sailing years later when I was a counselor.

All the lessons and memories from camp will be with me for a long time. Camp has influenced who I am today. 

"The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don't satisfy all these needs. Kids who have had these kinds of (camp) experiences end up being healthier and have less problems which concern us all."
Peter Scales, Ph.D., noted author/educator, and Senior Fellow, The Search Institute

School is out for the summer, does that give children an easy way out of putting down their books and stop reading? No way.

Reading books aloud to kids cultivates their imagination and gives them more understanding of the world. Also, their listening skills are developed and lessons can be taught.

“Let’s read it again,” you may have heard after reading The Cat in the Hat for the 10^th time in one week. Annoyed, you agree and read the book one more time to prevent the child from crying. Children go through phases of favorite things. Night after night, they may want to read the same book. Just remember, it is only a phase and slowly you may be able to sneak in some different books to broaden their horizons.

A few summers back, I was the nanny for a little girl named Emily who loved everything Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann. Therefore, all the books that we read were from the Pinkalicious series. Very quickly, I got bored with reading her the same books over and over, but she loved it! Without realizing it at first, the books actually gave me opportunities to bring the lessons in the book to life. For example, in one of the books Pinkalicious was told that only green foods helped her get healthy, but she disobeyed and ate only pink cupcakes instead and got sick. This was a great tool to explain nutrition to Emily! If Pinkalicious ate broccoli, then Emily could definitely eat broccoli too. All books have some kind of lesson that can be taken from the reading and be used to teach kids.

Even though children may know how to read themselves, it is still important to read with your children together. It plants seeds in their minds with the value of reading. Books take readers to different lands, time periods, and adventures. Reading books aloud allows families to go on adventures together.

Motivating your children to read especially in the summer time can be a challenge. Summertime can be a time when kids zone out of school and see no reason to read. But, this could be an unhealthy habit with a rude awakening when school starts again in the fall.  

When I was younger, my mom would sign me up for the summer reading program at our local library. The summer reading program consisted of collecting incentives and prizes along the way of completing the program (more books read = more prizes). This was a realistic opportunity to independently achieve goals that I set for myself. After reading each book, I had a sense of accomplishment. The summer reading program also required discipline. There were plenty of times when I did not want to read, but I really wanted to get prizes, so I produced will power to finish the program.

Now as an adult, I enjoy reading (when I have free-time). I appreciate the use of my imagination and value the lessons that are learned. Reading for me can be an escape from my everyday life, with books taking me to far away countries and exposing me to different storylines.

With your help, your children can grow a lifelong love of reading, that can easily stay with them into adulthood.

Happy first day of Summer 2017!!!

With school out until September, it is so easy to sleep in till 11 o’clock and waste your summer away inside your house…but wait! Leave your digital screens at home and show your children what summer was like when you were young!

There are so many benefits of a slower summer filled with bike rides, waterparks, trips to new places and lots of warm sunshine. Get the kids out of the house and create memories they will share with you forever!

Creating a bucket list is as easy as 1-2-3, all you need is a pen (or markers and stickers if you want to make it fancy) and paper. Start with a list of things you and your children want to do. Then, when you have free-time sit down and do some research.

Check out the list below for some ideas. Research can never hurt, seeing what others are doing can trigger some good ideas that suit your family. Bucket lists consists of goals that prevent boredom and last-minute scrambling of creating plans.

The summer is the perfect time to do something that you’ve wanted to do, but never had time to during the school year.

A bucket list gives children (and parents) something to look forward to. Growing up, I would always circle the dates our family vacations on my calendar, counting down the days.  Having dates set create anticipation and excitement.

Some places are obvious, but require more planning. Other places are new to you, but may become one your new favorite spot.

Summer is what most kids look forward to while sitting in school from Sept- June. So, make the most of these warm months and do something fun!

What will you put on your bucket list for Summer 2017?

A few ideas…

1. Plant flowers or vegetables
2. Camp in the backyard
3. Play at a new park
4. Take a road trip on Route 66
5. Visit local museums (look for free days!)
6. Visit a splash pad
7. Go mini-golfing
8. Catch fireflies
9. Make ice cream in a bag
10. Watch fireworks
11. Wash the cars by hand
12. Go to a drive-in movie
13. Have a water balloon fight
14. Have a picnic
15. Try disc golf
16. Create an obstacle course in the backyard
17. Take a trip to the zoo
18. Make popsicles
19. Go to the beach/pool
20. Try a new food

Father’s Day is one day out of the year that we celebrate dads, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and father figures in our lives. I would like to dedicate this post to my dad because he has influenced who I am today. 

One of my dad’s trademark greetings is “Hey neighbor.” I will always remember Mr. Hanson, an older man who lived down the street from my parents’ house. We would always see him riding his bike, even well beyond 80 years old and every time, my dad would yell “Hey neighbor!” and wave and the biggest smile would appear on Mr. Hanson’s face. For the longest time, I didn’t even know where he lived. Eventually, I found out that Mr. Hanson lived about a mile from our house, and my dad still called him “neighbor.”

There are times when we are doing family yardwork outside and wonder where Dad is…sure enough we would find him talking to a neighbor over the fence or chatting with a friend who stopped in the driveway as they drive by our house. My dad will go out of his way to talk to our neighbors and be kind to everyone who crosses his path. I have picked up little things that my dad does and that has influenced me and how I treat others.

Thank you for helping shape my character!

From building a loft bed to changing the alternator in my car, my dad is a plumber, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, architect… you name it! There’s always some kind of “project” going on at my parents’ house. Either painting a room or putting in new light fixtures.

When at my parents’ house, I’ll hear the radio going in the garage and pop my head in to see what he’s up to. I ask him what he’s doing with the hood of the car open and tool clanging around. He’ll simply reply with a smile, “just pretending.” Even though I know He’s taking apart the engine and putting back it back together again.

Growing up, sleeping in on Saturday mornings was a rare occasion. Around 8-9am my dad would come in our rooms sing Judy Garland’s “Good morning” song and fling open our blinds and crank open the windows. “NOOOOO” we would sleepily yell while grabbing another pillow to cover our faces from the bright sunlight.

Let’s just say my dad is defiantly a morning person.

One of the most valuable things that I love about my dad is his gift of teaching. When asking him to help me out or do something for me, he encourages me to watch what he does and learn from it. Before leaving for college out of state, my dad made sure that I knew how to change the tires on my car. So, at 9 pm the night before I left for Michigan we were rotating the tires. He showed me step by step what to do while I asked a lot of questions. Then it was my turn. He stood beside me and critiqued until I was confident to do it by myself.

Confession, even though I am in Michigan and my dad is in Illinois, I'll still call my dad when things go wrong with my car or apartment. He’ll either talk me through it while Face Timing or give me advise on what to do. Since my dad is a “jack-of -all -trades” I know that he is the guy to call with any handy man/ car problems.

To all the dads out there, thank you for all that you do!

SALE ENDS SUNDAY @ MIDNIGHT!!!!! 

Hello! My name is Samantha, but everyone calls me Sam. I am happy to be on board as Esa’s Closet’s Ecommerce- Specialist. I love traveling, exploring new hiking trails, and spending time with family and friends. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, but after 4 years of college in West Michigan I became smitten with the mitten!

Summertime is officially here! (well technically June 21^st) But, 70 degrees and sunny means summer for us here in West Michigan and I am excited to share weekly summer blogs with you all and looking forward to reading your comments.  

“Are we there yet?” What parent hasn’t heard this question multiple times coming from the backseat two hours into their road trip and questioned if it was worth it?

The answer is totally! There is nothing that can replace traveling, especially those cross-country road trips.

According to the U.S Travel Association, “Fewer adults are traveling with children under the age of 18 (408.5 million trips) compared with 2008, when 31 percent of adults traveled with children (466.2 million trips).”

There are so many values of traveling, let’s not lose this, especially in today’s technology crazed society. Countless positive outcomes result from road trips; memories that last a lifetime and opportunities to plant seeds in your children’s lives that will impact them in the future.

Books are great tools to help enhance children’s perspective on many things in life, but especially giving them more insight and knowledge about history. Fiction or non-fiction, books reveal certain elements and stories that stick with children and connect them back to real life adventures.  Knowing the history behind a national landmark and or a famous city builds more appreciation and lasting memories.

Growing up, my mom would read my sisters and I books about the places we would be visiting. For example, we read The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift before visiting the actual Little Red Lighthouse next to the George Washington Bridge in New York City. My mom grew up on Long Island, near New York City; this was one of many of her childhood memories she shared with us in which we could create our own family memories.

                           

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge
        photo credit: Jeremy D'Entremont 

Before visiting Assateague Island in Maryland, we read Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. This book gave me new perspectives and background insight to why there are wild horses on the island. As we crossed the bridge onto the island I pictured what life on the island was like in the 17^th century. The tall sea grasses, warm white sand, beautiful horses walking along the car brought the book to life.

Assateague Island National Seashore
photo credit: U.S National Park Service

Road trips not only give opportunities to experience a little U.S history, but they also give the parents time to share their own childhood memories.

In the late 1990’s we didn’t have technology that we have today, therefore we had to get creative and make up our own games. My family road trips involved made up games, mp3 players, and the rolling landscapes out the windows. My parents would point out billboard advertisements of places that they have been to in the past. By doing this, my parents shared memories from their past and allowed us to make our own. This is a great opportunity to connect with your children and share a little about your own childhood.

Taking road trips allows the versatility and freedom of making pit stops, visiting historical monuments or  quickly stopping by famous landmarks that maybe you have only seen in history textbooks. I have learned about the American Revolution at Williamsburg, VA, visited the first integrated school where former slaves received education at Harpers Ferry, and have touched more than 13,000 years of prehistoric history at the Petrified Forest just over the New Mexico border into Arizona. Road trips allow you to see, smell, touch, hear, and taste history.

The U.S.A is so rich with history, you must go out and experience it. You will not regret it. Textbooks cannot even compare to the value of physically experiencing history in real life.

Visiting these historical landmarks has given me a deeper appreciation for not only history, but also our country. I have experienced the lyrics of “American the Beautiful.” Driving through Colorado, I have seen “Purple mountain majesties” and “from sea to shining sea” looking out the car window at the glistening salt water in the Gulf of Mexico. No textbook or history class can compare to all that I have seen and experienced on my road trips.

From watching the sunrise in Wyoming to getting carsick and getting sick in the backseat while driving over the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. My family and I have countless positive and even negative traveling memories but I believe that all those experiences have prepared me for my own travels in the future.

So when you have the opportunity to go on a road trip, do not second guess bringing your children along. When all is said and done, I know that you will not only make memories that will last a lifetime but also make a bigger impact in your children’s’ lives for the future.

I honestly must say I was not really looking forward to the day of being “Grandma.”  Grandma somehow equated old to me!  Wasn’t’ a grandma supposed to be that older silver haired woman?  The one that was always at home baking yummy food… and sometimes not so yummy food. Her house was full of ancient stuff; shelves of old black and white photographs of people that never smiled and wore silly clothes, flowery dishes with matching tea cups and a teapot, silverware that was actually silver and tarnished and a white embroidered tablecloth that was covered with a clear plastic liner. Oh, and not to mention there was this odd smell of mothballs in her home. Well, that was my grandma and yes, somehow I couldn’t quite wrap my head around that being me.

I do have three children and my mother is obviously their grandmother, but that seemed different to me. In my mind when I pictured grandma, I pictured my sweet Romanian grandmother who wore a babushka over her head and an apron over her skirt. She was five feet tall but walked like she was six feet tall and had the most beautiful glowing smile.  This was my image of grandmother.

Well, a few years ago my oldest daughter announced she was expecting. WHAT? That meant I was about to be Eva! Her name was actually Pashkeeva, but was changed to Eva when she migrated to North America.  Anyway, the image of my grandmother and who I am today seemed amiss.  Now don’t get me wrong, I loved my grandmother. I enjoyed being with her, I learned many things from her and loved spending time with her. But was I really about to be her? 

Well, the answer to that question in many ways is, yes. You see grandmothers have pretty much figured out a lot of things with age. We’ve gone through all the years of parenting, experienced the joys and the pains.  We’ve spent hours and hours doing for those we loved and were responsible for and had little time for ourselves.  When everyone left the nest we then experience another journey. For me, it’s been a journey of embracing who I am, using the knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained over the years from simply experiencing life. I’ve learned to be confident and I’ve also learned to continue to love and give freely from my heart. So that five-foot-tall woman who walked like she was six feet tall, yes, sometimes that is me and I like her. I get to enjoy these precious little grandchildren. Hug them, squeeze them, play and laugh with them and then give them back to mamma. I even get to be a little frivolous and buy them whatever I want “because I can.” I look forward to spending more time with my granddaughters and building memories that they will one day look back at and smile.

Written by: Daidre. 

We want this year to be extra special for you and your kids so join us in letting them know how much you care. 

We’re going to write letters, and we’d like to invite you to do it, too.

Make your letter more than just a simple “I love you” on a card and tell them what hopes you have for them and how they make your feel daily.

Here's an example from our founder, Mark Peters:

So, my dear Children, I hope you grow up knowing in your soul that every time I cheer or celebrate with you, apologize for not being the best I can be, forgive you for a mistake you made, or step up to the plate to hold you accountable to developing great character, it simply means “I love you.” 

Always,

Dad.

(Mark Peters, Owner of Esa'sCloset.com)

We’d love to share your letters here on our blog and social media.

Each one of us here at EsasCloset.com is going to do this too. We're going to just think for a few moments about our children and say what we love about them, what makes them special, what we hope and dream for them, and how we are so honored to be their parents. We all have different stories and different families, as do you. We have young children and grown children, and some of us might hope that someday we'll have children.

For some of us words may come easy, but for some this may be one of the most difficult things you can imagine, just say what you feel when you think about them. 

Send your letters to:

sarah@esascloset.com

What can you expect from this re-branding campaign?
Just with a fresh new look!

Esa'sCloset.com is the Same company.
Esa'sCloset.com has the Same great customer service you've come to love.
Esa'sCloset.com is stocking the Same popular children's boutique clothing brands you love.
    
Everything but our logo and branding will be the same!

Why did DressMeDaddy.com rebrand? 

2017 marks the 7th year that our store has been in business and with all things children related, we knew we had to change and grow WITH our customers. Our branding needs to be inclusive of our customers which are more than single fathers. Esa's Closet speaks to single mothers and single fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends, so based on your suggestions, we have made this change.

As an online children’s boutique clothing store, Esa’s Closet offers high-quality, boutique branded clothing. From durable play clothes to heirloom dresses for special occasions, the brands we carry provide convenient shopping for busy parents.

OUR COMMITMENT

Esa’s Closet is committed to providing a full array of excellent and exclusive brands of boutique children’s clothing offered in complete outfits for infants, toddlers, and girls through size 16. 

THE BRANDS WE CARRY

• Giggle Moon
• Mustard Pie
• Jak & Peppar
• MaeLi Rose
• Ohh La La Couture
• Biscotti
• Pretty By Biscotti
• Persnickety
• Mayoral
• Kitty Girls
• Nina and Nelli
• Hatley
• Skeemos
• Baby Jar

 We'd love to hear what you think of our change, so please comment below! 

Let's dive into the new collections from Giggle Moon and Mae Li Rose to understand why we selected these looks so you can Shop Fast - Play More!

What does it mean to be a Giggle Moon Girl? 

The Giggle Moon Girl is someone who is looking to glorify God thru love, joy, and laughter. They strive to bring joy into all the lives they encounter and knowing their clothing is created in the USA from the cotton grown and knitted to the sewing and shipping.

Here is the new Book of Life collection from Giggle Moon, DressMeDaddy.com is stocking: 

• Giggle Moon's Book of Life Ena Mae Dress
  This is the sweetest dress that needs to be in your daughter's weekly lineup! 
                                           

• Giggle Moon's Book of Life Ester Dress with Ruffle Capris
  Whimsical and playful!

              (Necklace not included)

The Ester Dress is adorned with white lace at the scoop neckline and shoulders. The bodice of pale blue cotton is soft and breathable, which is perfect to carry this look from Spring through the end of Summer. A waterfall of whimsical patterned materials cascade to brush just above the knee. A scarlet satin flower with crystal center adds a pop of color at the waist.

• Giggle Moon Girls Book of Life Tutu Dress with Lace Leggings
  The Tutu Dress is just plain adorable!
  
                          

The Tutu Dress features a bodice in their turquoise and olive green print adorned with white ruffle flowers with pearl centers. 2 scarlet red buttons centered in the bodice bring a pop of color. There is a beige and blue patterned sash that ties in the back followed by the blue tutu and lace overlay. The tutu falls to just before the knee and is lined in ultra soft cotton for comfort.

What does it mean to be a Mae Li Rose Girl? 

The Mae Li Rose Girl is someone who appreciates the bows on her shirt, the ruffles on her skirt, and the lace on her leggings. She leaves a trail of sunshine as she skips, and she twirls to her own rhythm. These girls have a sense of what is wrong from right and they know it is never wrong to wear Mae Li Rose from head to toe.

Here is the new collection from Mae Li Rose, DressMeDaddy.com is stocking:

• Mae Li Rose Girls Blushing Miss Tulle & Lace Outfit
   Perfect for a play date or a night out!
                                   
  Featuring the Mae Li Rose Ivory and Lavender Crochet Vest with lace sleeves and blush buttons accenting the lace detail on the bodice. Underneath we paired the Tulle Overlay Blouse in Blush and Cream. This Mae Li Rose Miss Tulle & Lace Outfit is finished with the Knee Patch and Lace Leggings in Blush and Cream.

• Mae Li Rose's Girls Sparkling Sassy Saturday Hoodie with Leggings Outfit
   The definition of Sassy Saturday comfort with a bit of sparkle for fun!
                                  
  The ultra soft Sparkle Tulle Hoodie with rounded pockets in gray features adorable tulle ruffle detail on the bodice. We paired the Mae Li Rose's Soft Peach and Gray Eyelet Trim Tank underneath the hoodie, making this look functional to carry your princess through the warmer days through the colder nights. This outfit is finished with Sparkle Ruffle Leggings in Gray.

We at DressMeDaddy.com hope you enjoy these hand-selected collections from two of the most popular brands of boutique children's clothing so you can Shop Fast - Play More! 

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”   - John Burroughs 

With the extreme temperatures some of us experienced this past summer it seems awfully nice to have more moderate temperatures this fall, and it’s just perfect for spending time outside! Here are our top 10 ideas for activities you and your kids might enjoy, and please be sure to let us know your favorites!

1) Take a bucket with you on your next walk, and start a nature collection!  We bring clippers and garden gloves, and collect everything from branches with pretty leaves to acorns to sticks to pretty stones. When you get home you can arrange it on a shelf, or in a basket for the counter for instant fall atmosphere!

2) Let a digital camera turn your budding photographer into an artist!  Children have no preset rules on how to frame a shot, so come at the process very differently than adults. Encourage your child to take up close photos in the back yard and on the deck or patio of nature in all her glory, and then turn them into gifts for other family members. You can print them in 4” x 6” and include envelopes as a card set.

3) Visit a local pumpkin patch, and take a walk! Often you can choose your own pumpkin, take advantage of a hayride, and of course get a glass of cider with a pumpkin doughnut.

4) Offer to rake the yard or flower beds for a neighbor that might need help.  Invite friends, and many hands can make this chore a festive occasion (with the promise of a seasonal treat afterwards)!

5) Play Bocce! This outdoor game is so simple all ages can play, and it’s even better with a glass of fresh cider in hand.  See our blog “Leveling the playing field with Bocce” for a more complete explanation of this wonderful family game.

6) Watch the International Space Station fly overhead in the dark! The ISS flies around the world every day, and at some point it will pass over your home! It is amazing to see it track across the starlit sky. Visit their website for a complete listing of viewing times.

7) Go on a flaming tree hunt! From the local library or online you can see which trees are indigenous to your area, and with guide in hand see how many you can find in your neighborhood.

8) Take a walk on the dark side! Earlier sunsets give a great opportunity to get outside in the dark, and with a flashlight in hand it’s a different world. Take the kids out in the woods and even the rustle of the leaves in the trees can be spooky and spine tingling!

9) Visit the local nature center or your children’s museum! They usually have so many seasonal programs that it is difficult to choose from them all! Many are free, and they can let you know which ones are age appropriate for your kids.

10) Visit a flea market! Moderate temperatures can make this more fun than in the heat of the summer, and even for just a few dollars they (or you!) can find some treasures.  Depending on the age of your kids they may want to do some shopping for the upcoming holiday season. We’ve found some great books at the flea market for less than a dollar, and paying them for chores done in advance to get shopping money is always a good lesson too!

So there you have it, our suggestions for getting your kids out and enjoying the season. Share with us your ideas, or send in pictures if you do any of these activities! We'd love to see them!

Although DressMeDaddy.com sells boutique children’s outfits, we realize the responsibility we have as a business to help those in need. We aim to sell brands that give back to the community and work to aid those that need it.

Persnickety Clothing Company, one of our most recent additions to DressMeDaddy.com, is a brand that does just that. Persnickety had small beginnings as a little table at local farmers markets and fairs in Utah, selling to fairgoers and local buyers. When one of the founders of Persnickety traveled to Nicaragua to find ways to give to those in need, he decided that from that point forward, Persnickety would be a company that would aim to help others with its growth. They continue to honor this decision still, several years later, with their Buying is Giving program. With this program, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to children in need every time an item of Persnickety clothing is purchased. Persnickety also employs and fairly compensates seamstresses in Nicaragua, allowing them to provide for and spend time with their families. As well as providing work for mothers, Persnickety also provides school uniforms for children in Nicaragua who otherwise would not be able to attend school.

Persnickety Clothing Company is a perfect example of the ideals we at DressMeDaddy.com want to uphold. We want our buyers to be sure that every piece of clothing they purchase from us is from a source that is morally sound. Giving back to the community and helping those in need is a top priority for Persnickety clothing, and it is for us too.

(Thanks to Kelsey Bowers for sharing the story!)

With this in mind, I find the presence of a children’s clothing store dedicated to literacy and a focus of literacy to be a most compelling proposition. We know that children at the very youngest of ages who are encouraged to read, who learn to love words and their meanings, have a greater chance of success in our modern world than those who do not. Where is a 1 or 2 year old to find this literary encouragement? From their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers…of course, and those are the very people who also clothe those children. While we may not be the ultimate place those purchases are made, we desperately want to be a voice promoting the importance of reading with you and the children in your life.

To this end, we are changing our tag line from “shop fast play more” to “shop fast read more.” We also are committed to telling our own story and the story of the brands we carry. We find that a story well written, and well-read can provide an inspiration, and idea, a hope, a reach to something different something greater, something other. It can also, inspire gratitude, and kindness, and accurately portray loneliness or longing, and sometimes to those who feel that way, a connection and a path to happiness.

So it is my hope that you will dream with me the dream of ever increasing literacy, one family, one book, one outfit at a time. Even if you never buy one item from our store, please share our research and our mission.

Sincerely,

Mark Peters

Childhood Literacy Facts

• In 2013, only 36% of 8^th grade students participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress scored at or above the Proficient level on the Reading portion of the test.
  • Mobile Digest of Education Statistics, 2013. (2013). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/mobile/EducationalOutcomes_Reading_Performance.aspx
• By age 3, a child from a poor family will have heard 30 million fewer words than a child from an upper class family.
  • Fernald, A., Marchman, Z. A., & Weisleder, A. (2012, December 8). SES differences in language processing skill and vocabulary are evident at 18 months. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/desc.12019/full
• A study by Stanford University shows that 2-year-olds from lower class families have the same vocabulary size as upper class children did at 18 months.
  • (same source as previous)
• 3-5 year old children from poor families were read to 14% less in 2012 than children of the same age from upper-class families.
  • Number of 3- to 5-year-olds not yet enrolled in kindergarten... family characteristics: 2001, 2007, and 2012. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d14/tables/dt14_207.10.asp
• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Children who are read to more frequently are more likely to be able to count higher than those who are not read to as frequently, and are also more likely to be able to write their own name.
  • Facts about Children's Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.nea.org/grants/facts-about-childrens-literacy.html
• Low income fourth graders from Michigan were half as likely to test as proficient in math in the 2013-14 school year than middle and upper class students of the same age.
  • Mack, J. (2015, February 03). 6 facts about Michigan's low-income students and 6 interventions proven to work. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/02/6_facts_about_michigans_low-in.html

We are so pleased to introduce you to our newest blogger, Laura Arens. 

Laura has a degree in Child Development and is a Certified Health Coach. She has an office at Winning At Home in West Michigan. She is a wife and mama to four kids. She loves all things health related, and she blogs recipes, tips, and health related articles at jaynelovesgreen.wordpress.com. We are excited to have Laura join the voices of DressMeDaddy.com where she will be talking about healthy eating, giving us great tips, ideas, and advice!

I have a love/hate relationship with making school lunches. As a mama who cares about my kids eating healthy, I love knowing my kids are eating healthy food at school. As a mom of 4 kids, I hate making them for many reasons. I hate that it is hard to be creative, healthy, and budget friendly all at the same time.

If you have ever stood over your kitchen counter at 11:30pm on a school night muttering under your breath about packing school lunches, here are 25 (nut free!) lunchbox ideas. This list will bring some love back to packing school lunches. Keep it handy, and you will save money and time, and can spend both on buying cute kid clothes instead!

• A cheese quesadilla on a whole wheat tortilla (Add spinach and black beans to boost the nutrition)
• Whole wheat noodles with meatballs and sauce
• Leftover chili or soup (Tip: pack in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid)
• Muffins
• Hardboiled eggs
• Dried fruit
• Veggies with hummus or guacamole
• Wheat tortilla with grilled chicken, lettuce, mayonnaise
• Yogurt tubes that have been frozen
• Taco salad
• Popcorn 
• Mini whole wheat pitas with sauce and cheese (A healthier lunchable!)
• Baked potato cubes seasoned with salt and rosemary
• Baked sweet potato cubes roasted with coconut oil and cinnamon
• Sunflower/pumpkin seeds
• Beef jerky
• Banana chips
• Olives and pickles
• Homemade spring rolls or sushi
• Dried seaweed snacks
• Homemade stirfry
• Fruit kebobs
• Babybel cheese
• Apple slices with cinnamon
• Tuna/chicken/egg salad on bread or with crackers

This list will take away some of the hate from the love/hate relationship, and might even get you excited to pack lunches. Happy Back-to-school!

Here we are, SIX years into our business. Can you believe it? Starting a new business is always a challenge, and we can say that, in child developmental terms, we are now (thankfully) beyond infancy stage. Well, now—we’re at the toddler stage. You all know what that means without me describing it… you can read between the lines, I’m sure. Parents know that this is the stage where new ideas start to form and their child’s little world becomes a testing ground for their newly found independence.

This is the time where children learn to walk… where they fall and get back up, over and over and over again until they finally figure it out. We’re still working though some growth, trying things, making some fixes, learning more about you–our customers, what you like, what you don’t–figuring out the best and easiest ways to shop. We’re all about testing ideas, learning about other busy parents. This year, we are taking steps forward and introducing 5 new brands in our store: Pernickety, MaeLi Rose, Mayoral, Nina and Nelli, and Oil and Water (coming soon). We have also fully optimized our entire site (not just the check out) for your mobile devices, which is really awesome, knowing that over 70% of you are shopping from your phones!

Additionally, we implementing a virtual/home shopping program, bringing our styles directly to you! This is exciting because one of the greatest challenges we have–being an online store–is the fact that you don’t get the chance to touch and feel our clothes before you purchase. If you don’t know us, and don’t know what we offer, we recognize that you are taking a gamble. You may have questions like, how does this brand fit? How does it hold up in the wash? What is the quality? How will it feel on my child’s skin? Do I have the confidence that DressMeDaddy.com will take care of me if something’s not right or unexpected with my order?

With this new program, which we are affectionally calling “Isa’s Closet,” you have the opportunity to share your experiences with your friends, becoming an additional trusted source for great quality boutique clothing.

We want you to know that we care about you, more than a customer. From your shopping experience, to the quality of clothes, and to most importantly how you’re doing as a parent. We want your family to be a strong, successful family.

Just like a toddler, we are growing each day, taking new steps, and facing new challenges head-on. We are excited for this year, and we invite you along our journey.

Cheers! 

Who wants to think about shopping for back to school when the sun is shining and the soft breezes of summer gently blow past us as we head to the pool? What to buy, when to buy it, how much to buy, it’s just all so overwhelming. Ta da! DressMeDaddy.com to the rescue! We have shopping tips to break it down for you into manageable steps that will take just moments, and nothing away from these last dog days of summer! Your kids will step stress free and looking spectacular into that first day of class! 

  Take stock before you shop: 

Sort through your kids clothing! Make a pile to donate, a pile of things that need something else to go with them, and a list of things needed for the season. 

Pull all the school supplies into one area and create supply central. Sort and purge. You may be surprised at how much you already have, just store them all in individual large plastic baggies. What do you need for each child? Your school will probably hand you a list, but you can’t go wrong stocking up on these supplies for kids in preschool up to 3^rd grade: 

5 one subject spiral notebooks

A new bottle of white glue

A large glue stick

1 new box of crayons (the big box please)

1 new package of pencils

1 new package of fine tips markers

1 new package of broad tip markers

5 new folders 

Let’s get organized: 

Buy a planner for the fall and begin updating it. Mark school events and sports activities that your child is planning to participate in through the fall. Check the school website to see if any dates that can be added to the calendar now, and confirm school start and end times. 

Purchase or make a schedule for each kid that they can follow with morning and bedtime routines (pictures help with little ones) and post it in a prominent place. It should also lay out the ground rules, including time that can be spent on TV, video games, and computer use for non-school work. 

Stuff management: 

Purchase a basket or crate for each child’s belongings (hats, calculators, sports equipment) that is their go to place to store every day items (and find misplaced items). 

Hang or create a wall hung paper organizer for signed papers, schedules, lunch menu’s, their finished work when it comes home, notes to the teacher etc. Even a large bullnose clip tacked on a bulletin board can hold a weeks worth of papers!  

Fuel up: 

Time to go grocery shopping! Ask kids for lists of foods they would like for lunches and after school snacks, and meal plan for that first week of school. Stock up on lunch bags, sandwich bags, tissues etc. Don’t forget a little notepad that you can write love notes to put in their lunch bag! Plan a special breakfast full of their favorite things for that first day back. 

First school day style: 

All kids want to wear something new that first day, but it may not be weather appropriate if you’ve stocked up for the next season! Check out the end of season sales and splurge on something your child loves, you can always layer it as the weather changes. 

How many outfits should you buy before school starts? As few as possible might sound flip, but once that first big day is over the pressure is off! If you can just get them through the first week in something a bit special is best, and buys time until they see what the other kids are wearing or the new season starts to set in and they really need new gear.  

Buy new school shoes NOW and let them get broken in, so they aren’t uncomfortable in school. That goes for gym shoes too! 

It’s a good idea a couple of days out to arrange a play date with some of your child’s friends so they can reestablish contact now and look for each other that first day of school. Comparing notes on what they are wearing too can prevent your child from being the only one NOT wearing what the others kids are, which can be disastrous! 

Agree on and lay out school clothes for the next day, to eliminate clothing wars in the morning.  Start the bedtime routine early, and talk over any fears or apprehensions.  Role play if necessary to give your child confidence, and talk over what their daily routine might be in school.  Knowing they will look fabulous helps too! 

The big day: 

Get out those special breakfast items bought just for this day, and get off to a good start. Help your kids get dressed AFTER they’ve eaten, just in case they have a nasty spill.  

Sometimes the best school shopping is after the first week of school, once your kids have seen what the OTHER kids are wearing: 

Not only can there be some great sales once Labor Day has come and gone, the season starts to change and you do need to buy some appropriate new clothing. By then too, your kids will have seen what other kids are wearing that they might want too. Now is the time to stock up!

How much clothing does a school age child need each season? That’s a good question, and there are no hard and fast answers. This is a good start: 

8-10 everyday outfits

2-3 special occasion outfits with layers (sweaters, leggings, tights)

3-4 casual dressy outfits with layers (sweaters, leggings, tights)

1-2 athletic outfits

2-3 pairs of jeans

4-5 basic t-shirts

2-3 sets of pajamas and robes

2-3 swimsuits with cover ups

1 casual lightweight coat

1 raincoat with boots and umbrella

1 short winter coat with hat, mittens, and boots

1 long winter coat with hat, mittens, and boots 

Depending on the climate you live in and your child’s needs there may be more or less that is necessary, but it's a beginning.

Have a blast! We hope these back-to-school shopping tips have helped your kids (and you) get ready for school, and that it is the best year ever!

 

Reading with your kids is one of life’s most simple pleasures, and one that many of us take for granted.  But what if you are a parent who can’t read?  Can you imagine the frustration that must come when a child brings home a paper from school to share, or asks Mom or Dad to read a book to him or her, but that parent just can't make out the words?  

March is National Reading Month, and although of course it’s a great reminder to turn off the television, the IPad and the video games and open up a book instead, its also a great month to make the commitment to volunteer to teach another parent learn to read.  Research findings outlined in a recent report of the National Early Literacy Panel highlight the fact that literacy skills begin to develop at birth. The panel identified a number of early skills that are related to -and may even help predict - a child’s later success with reading and writing. Study after study shows that when families read together it can help the children to significantly boost their vocabulary and school performance. Many of us do not have the ability to help great numbers of people, but teaching another adult to read can create a ripple affect that can greatly impact their whole family, and who knows where that will lead? 

We have an organization in our community - The Literacy Center of West Michigan - that has several great programs including the Family Literacy Program, and the Adult Tutoring Program that teach and organize tutoring. On a national level, RIF (Reading is Fundamental) also promotes reading, and shares on its website that there is only one book for every 300 children living in poverty.  If your kids are like mine they like to read books over and over (and over and over) but if they’ve outgrown or heard some of their books too many times consider donating them to an agency that is doing good work with families in your community.  As Mary Rose McGeady said, “There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”  The simple act of reading, teaching others to read, sharing the gift of books, or reading with your own children can make a fundamental difference.  Would you, could you, share?

The Literacy Center of West Michigan       

Reading Is Fundamental

National Center for Family Literacy      

ProLiteracy 

Random House Books Dr. Seuss/Seussville                      

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." - Benjamin Franklin.  

Are the kids clothing collections at DressMeDaddy consistently sized? We get that question often, and it’s very valid, because as we all know there is so much inconsistency in purchasing clothing in general.  Many of you have emailed and asked for measurements on specific items, and we never ever mind pulling out a few things, measuring them, and sending you pictures. But for everyone who takes the time to email in and ask we know there are others who just don’t, so we wanted to address this question today once and for all!

Boy’s clothing is much easier to compare, because you just don’t have the wide range of shapes and styles available.  Girls clothing however, is a different story.  Is it a short dress with a bubble skirt, or a longer tunic top with leggings?  It is often the hemlines that differ, just as with women’s fashions.  When you compare the brands from the top of the shoulder to the natural waist – and from the waist to the feet they are very consistent. That falls in with our goal of “shop fast – play more” because if the sizing is consistent you can rest assured that what you purchase will be what you expect. You don’t need to purchase everything in a variety of sizes to see what works, and then return everything else.  Too much downtime, not enough time to play!

Of course if you ever did receive something that wasn’t the right size just let us know and we’ll send you a return label, but if we can eliminate that time up front so much the better. 

The other great question we get is should I buy bigger, or will it be too big?  We have a page on the website on size selection, and it provides helpful information. Knowing your girl or boy’s weight, height, and measurement to waist can give you great direction. With higher quality brands like those found on DressMeDaddy.com the sizing seems to fall approximately in line with the child’s age. If your girl or boy is 3 and fairly averaged sized you are probably buying size 3 to wear now, and maybe a 4 for the next season.  We’ve all purchased clothing that is double the age of the child - I still remember buying 12 month sizing when my oldest was 6 months old and wondering what was the deal because she was pretty averaged sized. We used to joke about that, but it was very confusing! 

“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” Ansel Adams

Taking pictures of beautiful kids designer clothing isn’t difficult, and because that’s what we do each time we receive a shipment we’ve gotten it down to a science.  Since we offer most of our collections in outfits, we assemble the clothing, and then take pictures in our studio.  Turn on the lights, lay out the clothing, and click – it’s pretty straight forward.  When we shoot the shots for the landing page, and all of the other photos that you see throughout DressMeDaddy.com though, we deal with all the trials and tribulations of capturing just the right moment - just like you do. Tired, bored, or just too little to actually have an attention span, you know all the reasons it can be tough to get the perfect shot of that child.  Working with our photographers we have found success with several ideas, so give them a try next time you get out the camera (or phone!) to take just one more picture of your girl or boy doing something memorable!

1)  Do some planning in advance.  If you are documenting the first time your child helps you plant flowers in the garden, you might want to include garden gloves that fit, or a small seedling that she can hold in her hand.  If you have this ready and don’t waste time on the set up while she waits, you’ll capture the wonder while she is fresh and excited.

2)  Capture a series. Along with a fabulous posed shot that is static, you can capture the action with a series of process shots.  If taking a bath is the subject, start with the teeny tiny robe on the hook, progress to him looking in amazement at the water as it comes out of the spigot, stepping in (lets be discreet here) to the bath with one tentative toe, a tight shot of bubbles on his chin, and wrapped up in a big towel all fresh and pink cheeked after the bath. 

3)  A face stained with tears, mad as heck, or deeply pensive are all moods that should be captured, not just the happy child photo staring directly at the camera.  However, you will often need a person other than yourself to capture these moments, since you will be dealing with your child. Rather than get to close and spoil the moment the zoom held by another adult at a discreet distance works well.

4) Choose your lighting, and then direct the action there. If you know something coming up will be a photo quality moment, make sure that your child will be well lit.  Have her open a gift by a great light source. It is so awkward to move everyone when the light isn’t right, and then the moment is gone.

5)  A neutral background keeps the focus on your girl or boy. Loves to do tumbling, jump rope, or build Lego creations? Think about the background, and minimize it as much as possible to let the activity shine. 

6)  Step in close, and take some feature shots.  His little hands and agile fingers as he picks up a Cheerio, or his plump cheek cuddled with that fuzzy bunny for Easter are just the beginning. The wonder and detail of this creation we call a child can be lost when the entire kid is included in the shot. Another thing you can do is pair these with comparative features.  Do you have the same eyes as your baby? Is his hand the same shape as Grandpa’s hand? Make sure you get those shots too! 

7)  Have someone else take the photos of the two of you interacting, maybe at a playground or other place just ripe for action. His face as you catch him on the bottom of the slide, or the two of you swinging or on the opposite ends of a teeter totter, requires another hand on the camera.  Repetitive movements offer the best chance to capture several versions of the same shot, giving you the best opportunity to catch something great.

8)  Get down on your child’s level. Shooting from above can be a great angle, especially if you want to show how small your child is or an inquisitive face tilting upward, but to capture your child in their world get down on the floor, and get close.

9) Shoot early in the day if possible, while the child is still alert. Seems obvious but it makes such a difference.

If you do catch a great shot of your child -  and in clothing from DressMeDaddy.com - we'd love to see it!   

Another great source of tips is PictureCorrect.com.         

Finding games to play outside can be difficult when you outweigh, outreach, and are faster than your small opponent.  Challenging your little girl or boy to a competition just isn’t any fun unless there is the potential for THEM to win and for YOU to lose.  Bocce, a game played in ancient Greece, can level that playing field quickly, because it is a game of finesse and aim. If you haven’t tried this game do so quickly, before you run out of summer!  You and your child will love it, because it is so simple and fun.

Any sporting goods store - as well as the big box retailers like Target - sells Bocce, and an expensive, high quality set isn’t hugely important.  It usually comes in a net bag with complete instructions, holding 8 large balls and a smaller target ball called the pallino (or Jack or cue).  That’s it, because you’ll find the playing field, (either in your backyard or at a park or ball field) somewhere outside.  Those who are very serious will mark off the recommended court as defined by the Bocce instructions, but we just keep it within a general area. There is a great baseball diamond near us because it has a nice smooth surface for the balls to roll on, but we’ve also played at the beach and in the grass of the backyard. Bocce can be played with two up to eight players, with the object of the game to throw (or roll) your balls closer to the pallino than your opponent.  

It is also a great way to work with your child on their numbers and adding skills, because as the balls are tossed at the pallino each player needs to keep track of their score.  Traditionally a coin toss determines who throws the pallino, and then that same competitor throws the first ball too.  Each player takes aim and throws in turn, with the person receiving the point that lands closet to the target.  We also add in a point for those who actually hit the pallino, so as you can see the game can be customized for your family. 

Standard rules call for playing up to 16 points (depending on how many are playing) but we usually just pick a number - usually 5 or 10 - depending on the time we have and the players involved.  Rarely though do we just play one game, there is almost always a chorus of “one more game” or “let’s keep playing!”           

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”  Henry James

It's that time of year where we spend many of our days at a beach or a pool, which, brings to mind the need for teaching our kids good water safety habits around water. The statistics are startling, especially for children less than four years old. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 20 percent of all drowning deaths occur in children younger than 14. For children age 4 and under, drowning is a significant risk. Of all the children in that age range who died from accidental injury, 30 percent died due to drowning. Teaching children water safety tips can keep them from becoming a statistic, and an unimaginable tragedy that might not have needed to happen. 

Amy Jorgensen from ehow.com wrote Water Safety Tips for Kids, and we excerpted it here. These are all things that seem obvious, but a bit of a refresher can’t hurt.  If by passing this on we keep one child safe, that’s well worth it.

1) While teaching a child how to swim is the best way to protect them from drowning, the American Academy of Pediatrics says children under 4 should never be allowed around water without adult supervision even if they know how to swim. Adults who are supervising should stay alert and avoid distractions such as phone conversations. A child can drown in less than two minutes and often do without making much sound. 

2) You should lay down some ground rules for good behavior around pools and other bodies of water. For example, your child shouldn't be allowed to run near or around water. A slip could land them in the water and lead to drowning even if they know how to swim. Pushing other children in the water can also be dangerous, especially if the other child does not know how to swim. 

3) Children who do know how to swim should be taught about the markers on pools so they can tell which depths are appropriate for their level of swimming ability. Parents should make sure young children remain at the shallowest part of the pool. Understanding the markers can also prevent older children from jumping or diving into water that is too shallow for such activities. 

4)  Ninety percent of drowning accidents that occur in open water following boating accidents happen to people not wearing life jackets. Children should know how to put on a life jacket any time they are on a boat or other water-based recreational vehicle, even if they know how to swim. 

5)  Children love to play in the water, but they need to know which waters are safe and which are not. Fast-moving waters in canals, rivers or other flash flood prone waters can quickly sweep away an unsuspecting child before parents realize it. 

6)  Inflatable rafts and other flotation devices can help keep kids afloat, but they should never rely on them. Children can slip out of inner tubes or slip off of rafts. If they child is relying too much on the flotation device to keep them safe in the water, then they are at risk for drowning.           

                                
Read more: Water Safety Tips for Kids | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/list_6851263_water-safety-tips-kids.html#ixzz1rBCTWs1d