Girls’ Shopping Day

Last Sunday my sister called my mom and I and told us that my niece wanted us all to go with her on a girls’ shopping day.  Apparently, my nephew was on fishing trip with his dad, so my niece, Megan, decided she wanted to do something with “the girls”.  We were pleasantly surprised by the impromptu shopping opportunity and eagerly hopped in the car to meet up with them at the local Nordstrom’s for our girls’ day out. 

Megan showing off her fashion accessories while wearing her Le Top Forget-Me-Not Garden dress.

It wasn’t the kind of marathon shopping I usually associate with a girls’ shopping day; it was just a nice little trip to the children’s department of one of our favorite stores. We saw lots of things we liked and even bought a few, but we didn’t spend hours in the dressing rooms or walk from store to store until we were too tired to carry our bags anymore (although I’m sure we will when Megan becomes a teenager). We did, however, try on some hats and hairbands; my niece and I are suckers for accessories.

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Le Top Tip: Time Saving Snacks

I like to have snacks at my house for when my niece and nephew come to visit so I’m always on the lookout for individually packaged or partially prepped items. Babybel makes individually wax wrapped cheese that is really mild, so the kids like it (and we can make wax figures from the wrapping). Many grocery/warehouse stores sell pre-cut celery and carrots, so all I need to do is open the peanut butter or put a little ranch dressing in a dish. You can pick up pre-sliced apples in individual packs that are pretty good, but sometimes the ‘individual servings’ are too much for a four and six year old. That’s why my favorite little kid snack source is the 100 calorie snack packs from companies like Ocean Spray and Nabisco– not because I’m trying to keep my niece and nephew on a diet, but because the serving size is more appropriate for kids. (Plus, with things like cookies, it means they can have cookies but I don’t have to worry about them stealing extras when I’m not looking– they’d have to get a whole new package to get extra sweets.) 

The hidden bonus to pre-packaged snacks is that there’s practically no clean up.  If you don’t have to core the apples yourself, all you have to toss is their napkin and the little bag the apples came in.  Individual serving size packages tend to be a little more expensive than buying a whole bunch of celery or a big wedge of cheese, but it means that when my niece and nephew come over to visit, I already have snacks ready for them. No need to spend time cutting veggies or slicing off sections of cheese when I could be spending that time having fun. That extra half hour of snack prep time and 15 minutes of clean up could mean the difference between an afternoon at home and having the time to drive out to the Chabot Space and Science Center. 

Soda companies have also started making 100 calorie size soda cans.  I know that the soda/kids issue is a little controversial, but since Sprite and 7-Up make them too, I at least don’t have to worry about the caffeine…and the smaller cans are easier for kids to hold.

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Le Top Darling of the Day: Ava

Baby Ava loves her ‘le•top baby’ bonnet!  Kudos to Auntie Kate for
sending us this darling photo of her beautiful niece.

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Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to have lunch with his niece Ella and visit her “uptown” (a.k.a. The Upper West Side/UWS).  We joined Ella, her mommy and daddy, as well as her Auntie Alana and two Uncles (Sammy and Marcus) for lunch at a nearby diner.  After lunch we decided to stroll back to their nearby apartment and watch Ella’s mommy get her makeup done for a wedding that evening.   

No, I did not say that!

Ella was the first to burst through the door in excitement that they had visitors, and was followed by the rest of the family.  That’s when I heard (as any good 2-year-old girl host would say):

Ella: “Mommy, should we put out food for everyone?”

Mommy: “How sweet of you!”

Melissa (inner thoughts): “Emily Post would be so proud.”

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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Thank Heaven for…Haven!

Haven Bella looking like a Sweet little Flower

Our family finally has its first baby girl!  My niece, Haven Bella, was born on July 8^th of this year – a great birthday date to remember – 7-8-9!  We are excited to have a girl join the ‘boys club’ we had going.

Four months have now passed since the glorious date that we all ooo’d and awww’d over little Haven.  She is growing bigger by the day, and although still a ‘little baby’ her mom and dad were ready to take the big step and go out for some much needed time together – without children!

Friday was the first night that Mike and Joslyn took a breather from the kiddos and headed out for a nice relaxing dinner for two.  My nephew Justice was spending some quality time with Grandpa – and little Haven came to spend the evening in Aunt KK’s arms (that’s me!!!)  I have to admit that Aunt KK is not 100% confident with tiny babies.  Maybe I am just not completely comfortable, but at 4 months old…I thought I could handle it!  The evening (to say the least) had its ups and downs – here is how it unfolded:

6:30
Bye Bye Mommy and Daddy – Hello child that is (supposedly) about to fall asleep…

7:10
40 minutes later – after walking around the house, rocking and singing lullabies to Little Miss Haven, she FINALLY falls asleep

7:11
Carefully laying her on the couch next to me I pop in a movie – ready for an hour and half of quiet bliss

7:53
Haven is awake….Cry….Cry….Cry….

7:53:30
Aunt KK picks up Haven and tries to sooth her – more walking, rocking and singing (did I mention that I am NOT a singer?)

8:00
Dinner Time (Haven is a ‘Baby Wise Baby’ and she knows when it’s time to eat!) I pull out the Dr. Brown’s Bottle and warm the milk… 

8:05
Haven is NOT having it!  Try as I might this little girl does not love her bottle – go back to walking…

8:12
Haven is still clearly upset and not eating – I am at my wit’s end and praying for Joslyn to walk through that door…

8:13
Haven and Aunt KK say in unison:  HELLOOO MOMMY!  THANK GOD YOU ARE HERE!

Of course we all survived…and I am sure every parent (and every babysitter!) has experienced nights like this.  What are some of the tips you give your sitters – I could really use some!!!!

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