I love polka dots. They're fun..happy...and always remind me of childhood. My daughter Lilly's wardrobe has polka dots bouncing all over it. I just can't resist a cute polka dot pattern!

Etsy seller and fellow EtsyKids team member, Cuddle Buddies 4 Kids assembled a darling Treasury showcasing the fun uses of polka dots on children's items. I'm so tickled she included my Lolli-Dots chalk mat. Here's picture of the treasury or visit her treasury on Etsy and leave a fabulous comment!

I am thankful for...
My family: for their good health and daily happiness,
I am so fortunate to have a family so close and fun to be with!
My husband: for his always present love, support and encouragement,
My customers: for giving me the gift to stay at home with my daughter

I am thankful for...
My daughter's daily reminders
that even the simplest and smallest things in life
can be the super coolest things to discover (or rediscover!),
...and to giggle, smile, and hug each other all the time.
I am thankful she keeps me grounded
and gives me balance in this crazy world...
she reminds me daily of what matters most.

For all of this, I am truly thankful, grateful, and blessed.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

So, what does a "Rockin' Robots" chalk mat have to do with our Halloween fun? Lots! It became a great source of inspiration for my family as we meticulously made (...and ate!) our Monster Treats turning rice krispy treats, icing, and candies into creatures from another planet. Lilly went a step beyond by making herself a cell phone complete with Skittles as buttons and a gum drop antenna. Brandon and I cracked plenty 'o laughs with the "voices" we gave our creatures as they came to life.

I am curious about one thing, though. I have a sneakin' suspicion that a bit more candy was eaten during our decorating fun than the candy that actually landed on our monster treats. But seriously, isn't that what it is really all about?

I have such wonderful vivid childhood memories of our holidays -- "patiently" waiting for dad to put on our favorite Statler Brother's Christmas tape (yes, this is before the invention of the CD!) and get the coffee brewing for mom; getting a baseball-sized navel orange at the toe of my knitted stocking (which was promptly returned to the fruit bowl later that morning!); and looking forward to another lifesaver candy storybook, ready to marathon chomp through all 8 packs one after another. Lifesaver books are certainly harder and harder to come by these days, but I can remember them so clearly. It wasn't Christmas without one!

So here's a sweet twist to an old favorite --- use a roll.n.go crayons to wrap up 8 fun packs of lifesavers. With eight wide pockets, it's the perfect re purposed twist to a favorite holiday tradition. The hard part is choosing which kinds of lifesaver flavors to include!

I love, love, love this time of year. October brings a welcomed reprieve from the heat and humidity of summer, and the trees treat us to their red, gold, and orange fall foliage. Dozens upon dozens of honking geese have been flying over our house as they head in their perfect "V" formations southward. Though we have had warmer weather than typical for this time of year, I placed a few mums on the porch to remind us that autumn is really here!

On Saturday, we took Lilly to Belmont Pumpkin Farm for an afternoon of favorite fall fun -- hay rides, petting farm animals, corn maze, and of course, choosing THE perfect pumpkin in a field full of every shape, size, and color pumpkin. Lilly even chose an itty bitty pumpkin for her puppy (a stuffed animal, btw!).

Next to the pumpkin patch was an amazing field of sunflowers. They were all standing tall at attention with their smiling faces glowing brilliant yellow toward the warmth of the sun. Lilly, being 4, loves to see how tall she is compared to just about anything. She searched and searched until she found a sunflower just as tall as her. I loved watching all of the bees busy with their days' work hitting up each and every one of them. Nature in action!

Where else are sunflowers found? Right in my shop and ready for the picking. What a bright and festive way to decorate your table at home or wherever you dine with your child this time of year. These sunflowers will continue to smile at you for years to come!

Lillian wants to be a princess when she grows up. Her dream was cemented during our family vacation to Disney World earlier this year. At our special luncheon with the princesses, Lillian was chosen "Honorary Princess of the Day." She was granted a special private sitting with Cinderella (I can just imagine the stories she told her!).

Her most favorite of all princesses is Sleeping Beauty. So, imagine how tickled I was when I found this Sleeping Beauty inspired laminated cotton - complete with spindle! It is adorable as a chalk mat. Perfect for any young princess!

Moms, gear up for travel in style! Why settle for "fashion over function" when you can have both! NStyleMom.com does just that -- stylish, stress-free, easy travels with children, whether it is a dinner run to your local grocery store or a long overseas plane ride. Find exactly what you need -- they have the hows, when's, and where's for every on-the-go need -- including (drum roll please...) Dine.n.Doodle chalk mats! We are delighted to now be among their fantastic offerings. So, visit NStyleMom.com today and outfit yourself today with all of the must-haves for travel. Bon voyage! 

Where oh where does time go?! Our miss Lillian McCoy turned the Big 0-4 on July 11th...a day she thought would never come having earlier in the week formally declared she had been 3 for "a lot of days!" We celebrated in grand style with our friends and family...and pony rides! What a treat to see the kids' faces light up when the horse trailer rounded the cul-de-sac. We heard lots of "woo hoo's," "giddy-up's," and "yee haw's" as the kids rode our backyard range in style.

So, here's an idea. Why not pony up to the table with a Dine.n.Doodle™ chalk mat to horse around with chalk...and some yee haw doodlin' fun!

I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I waited (and waited...patiently!) for the right man to come into my life and then we were blessed with our beautiful daughter. Not only is he the most loving and supportive husband, he is also the most devoted and adoring daddy to our miss Lillian. Wishes do come true.

Happy Father's Day, honey!