Sunny weather and Farmers’ Markets go together!

Checking out the delicious strawberries. (Miranda in Playful Ponies and Paulo in A Dog's Life from le•top's 2009 Fall/Winter collection)

Farmers’ markets may be year-round, but it’s best to go when the sun is shining. Everything just looks fresher, greener and sweeter, and everyone is shopping away happily with their reusable bags in hand. I love to support my local farmers and buy their organically-grown produce every weekend, but trekking out there in the rain or cold just isn’t my cup of tea – especially with a little guy who has to be pushed around in his stroller. However, last Saturday when we woke up and saw the sun beaming down and temperatures in the low 70s, we decided it was time to visit the farmers’ market.

It’s been so long since we’ve been to a farmers’ market that Miranda forgot what it was. “Do they have rides? Do they have shopping carts? Why are we walking?” But as soon as we got out of the car and followed the crowd, Miranda remembered. “This is where we can try strawberries for FREE! And we can buy kettle corn! And where’s the clown that makes balloon animals?”

Oh, yes! The fun of going to farmers’ markets. Not only do we see fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, pastas, etc., smell popcorn popping or meat grilling, hear live music, but we also get to spend quality family time. Yay for spring!

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Ice Skating: Fun times or Forget it!

Paulo (wearing A Dog's Life polar fleece from le•top's 2009 Fall/Winter Collection) isn't a fan of ice skating.

Ice skaters make it look so easy! Watching them glide across the ice makes me want to try the sport and dream of dancing and swaying gracefully on the ice, looking like a beautiful ballerina. STOP! One can dream, right? Well, I’m not too bad. Wobbly, yes. But I can skate a lap or two.

Miranda wants to glide as well. This is her 2nd time on the ice. The first time was when she was 3-years old. We went to Lake Tahoe and gave it a go. It was such a horrible experience for her. She slipped and fell so many times and vowed never to ice skate again! Well, that was then. This time was more pleasurable. She took a stack of buckets, held on, then push… push… PUSHED herself across the ice. Of course, she slipped and fell more than once, but she picked herself back up and tried again—until she made one lap around. Success!

Now she wants to skate again tomorrow. We can’t. You have ballet. Then we can skate the day after that! No, you have swim class. How about the next day? (I’ve run out of excuses.) We’ll see.

Miranda is wearing a Pink Leopard Faux Fur jacket from the 2008 Winter Collection.

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A Dog’s Life?

Sit. Roll over. Stand up…

Sounds like tricks you teach a dog, but they’re actually milestones for my 5-month old son, Paulo. If I put him in a sitting position, he can stay seated for maybe 3-4 seconds before he tips over. He definitely can roll over—and over and over—making his way from one corner of the room to the door jamb where he usually “whimpers” for some assistance because his foot got stuck along the way. He’s got a ways to go before he can stand up, but Big Sister Miranda is there to lend a helping hand.

I never imagined that my 5-year old and my 5-month old would play together happily, but here they are enjoying each other’s company, being each other’s best friend.

Paulo is wearing a coverall from le•top’s 2009 Fall/Winter collection, A Dog’s Life. Miranda is wearing a dress from le•top’s 2009 Early Fall collection, Vive Les Fleurs!

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To Thine Own Self Be True!

We are very excited to introduce a ‘new look’ to our website – a look that is a delightful reflection of all the innocence, fun and whimsy that makes le•top innovative and nostalgic – upscale and hip!  This bright and happy site will showcase all the looks that we loved as children, mixed in with incredible new styles you won’t see anywhere else!  We are launching this new site to present our fabulous fall 2009 collections – appearing at discerning retailers across the United States.  Don’t miss Dog’s, Dinos and Varsity Blues! Check out the Kaleidoscope and Cute as a Button dresses and get a dose of Enchantment!

But this is just the beginning!  Become a part of the le•top community as we introduce new features – join the conversations on our blog for smiles and information – and follow our Twitter feed to be the first to hear about contests and give-a-ways.

Come and experience le•top: “Zero to Five – The Happy Years!”

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