This Fall’s Must-Haves: Tea Collection for Boys!

If you are looking for fall clothes for the little guy in your life, then you must check out the Tea Collection line for boys! This hip and stylish clothing line is just what you would want your little boy to wear! The line is well-made and comfortable, offering a chic and sophisticated look that is not too babyish.

A lot of clothing lines are heavy on girl clothes and light on boy clothes, so it’s nice that Tea Collection has just as much to offer in the style department for the guys as they do the gals.

You’ll love the earthy, natural hues, and wearable fabrics that the Tea Collection uses for its boy clothing. Check out some of our favorites in the Tea Collection for boys below. You’ll want to snatch up these perfect clothing pieces for fall.

Lillehammer Rugby Shirt
$29.99
Your cutie will love wearing this striped rugby shirt. Bold blue, yellow, and gray stripes stand out from the crowd in soft, sturdy, yarn-dye jersey. Whale Blue. 100% cotton. Machine washable.

Sora Denim Pant For Boys
This new lightweight denim is perfect for those days where the weather is warming up and days are getting long. Most relaxed fit. Bio stone wash gives variation on legs. Adjustable waistband. Bio Stone Wash. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Tea Collection Puno Twill Pant $46.00
Boy’s pants don't have to be plain! This plaid livens up a classic style. May we recommend pairing these great pants with Tea's Puno Twill Coat for a stylish, dressed up look! Adjustable waistband on sizes 2–6. Elastic waistband on sizes S, M, L. 100% cotton. Machine wash. Taupe.

Voss Antler Pullover
$34.99
We heart this little pullover top - big time! So cool and cute for fall and winter, we're sure he won't mind wearing it! In a great mix of texture, the French terry body is flanked by sweater rib sleeves. Saving the best for the back, it's finished with a felt antler applique design that just too cute! Vintage sport style with shawl collar. From Tea Collection's Norway Collection. 100% cotton. Machine wash. Almond.

New Shoe Lines at Pure and Honest Kids!

If you are looking for stylish shoes for your little one, you have come to the right place! Pure and Honest Kids have two new kid shoe lines that you are going to just love!

Rileyroos:
Rileyroos was created after its owners were frustrated with the lack of stylish and developmentally friendly shoe choices when they had their first child. Rileyroos focuses on style, comfort and ease, which certainly is important for little growing feet.

Pure and Honest Kids love how Rileyroos combines European fashion trends and American spirit and casualness together for a comfortable, yet stylish shoe for your little ones. Check out some of our favorite Rileyroos footwear below, all available at Pure and Honest Kids!

Cater Shoes in Hot Pink
$35.00
Cozy up to these hot pink boots when the weather turns chilly! Soft cotton upper with matching stitching and a warm fleece inner. Flexible rubber soles to protect little feet and provide greater durability. These vegan winter boots are machine washable making it a snap to keep them looking as good as the day you bought them.

Sportie Shoe in Tiger
$30.00
These sneakers are the best, hand down! The uppers are crafted of soft chocolate leather with offset accent colored stitching. Designed to imitate barefoot walking, Rileyroos shoes have a flexible leather or suede sole with rubber padding to protect little feet. The sole curls above little toes to provide leverage as little ones make their natural gravitation from sitting to crawling to walking.

Mary Jane Shoes in Tweed
$30.00
She'll be the most sophisticated baby in the nursery! An updated take on the classic, these tweed Mary Janes will be her everyday favorite! The uppers are crafted of soft tweed fabric with offset accent colored stitching. Designed to imitate barefoot walking, these shoes have a flexible leather or suede sole with rubber padding to protect little feet. The sole curls above little toes to provide leverage as little ones make their natural gravitation from sitting to crawling to walking.

Livie and Luca:
Three new mothers started Livie and Luca after they discovered there was a need for modern and funky shoes for babies and toddlers that were also lightweight, soft, super flexible and affordable.

We love Livie & Luca shoes because they incorporate brightly colored leathers, bold designs and whimsical modern touches that capture the playful essence of childhood. Also a plus, all Live and Luca shoes are made by hand! Check out some of our favorite Livie and Luca shoes, all available at Pure and Honest Kids, below.

Holland Boot in Pink
$47.00
Girly pink buttons trace this sweet little boot from tip to pink toe! Scalloped edges at the top are too pretty to hide. With Livie and Luca's signature flexible sole, these shoes are meant to take you from pre-school to birthday parties and everywhere in between!

Tootles Shoes in Brown and Fuchsia
$45.00
Your darling will tootle from the playground to the birthday party in style and comfort. A classic style made fresh for fall/winter in rich chocolate brown and fuchsia leather. This Mary Jane has lovely detail and signature Livie & Luca faux button closure, comfy, flexible sole, soft leather and easy on-off Velcro closure. They’re the bee’s knees!

Pio Pio Shoes in Lavender
$45.00
Pio pio ... that's what little birds say in Spanish! Your darling will love these sweet Mary Janes in lavender with plum contrast. Lovely detail, comfy, flexible sole, soft leather and easy on-off Velcro closure is all you expect from Livie & Luca.

Fall Activities for Your Kids!

The weather is turning cooler, and the dog days of summer are behind us! Spending time at the pool and playing in sprinklers in the backyard are a thing of the past, so it’s time to start brainstorming fun fall activities for you and your kids. Check out the list below of fall fun from Pure and Honest Kids!

- Pumpkin Picking! Take your kids to a local pumpkin patch and let them pick out their very own pumpkin. Spend an afternoon carving or decorating your pumpkin for Halloween. Let your kids get as creative as they want to get!

- Save the seeds from your pumpkin carving afternoon and bake or roast the seeds for a fun and healthy seasonal snack!

- Rake leaves with your kids. Then spend the afternoon running and jumping in the leaf piles!

- Decorate your house for Halloween. Go to a local craft store and make most of your decorations together as a family.

- Learn about the Thanksgiving holiday by checking out library books on Thanksgiving and its story and traditions. Once you and your child “research” Thanksgiving, spend an afternoon making Pilgrim Hats and Indian Headdresses for all your Thanksgiving dinner guests to wear.

- Take a nature walk outside with your kids. Make it a game to find as many colored leaves as possible. The person that finds the most colors of leaves wins!

- Fill your child’s wagon with hay and make your own hay ride around the neighborhood!

- Enjoy the crisp autumn air by playing outside as much as possible. Soon, it will be too cold for afternoons outside, so hit up the playground, ride those bikes and play hide and go seek in the great outdoors!

How To Juggle Your Toddler and Baby’s Schedule When Nursing

Our second child, a son, was born a few weeks ago, and everything is much more relaxed at home the second time around. One of my main concerns, though, when preparing for our son's arrival was how was I going to find the time to nurse him with my three year-old daughter at home, too? Would she get upset when it was time to nurse my son? Would she get into trouble during feeding times?

I decided to be proactive about this concern, and here are some wonderful tips I found while researching:

- Have a designated nursing area. Ideally, with a toddler at home, the room you choose to nurse in will be childproof, have plenty of toys and books to occupy your toddler, and be a safe environment to let your child explore while you nurse.

- Prepare snacks and juice before you sit down to nurse for your toddler. Inevitably, your toddler will want to partake in snack time as soon as its time to feed, so it’s better to be proactive and have snack and juice readily available.

- Create a big sister/big brother box that you only pull out during feeding times. Stock it full of coloring books, crayons, stickers, arts and crafts and other inexpensive time fillers that will make your older child smile with delight!

- If you are not opposed to television for your toddler, consider letting him or her watch a special show during one of your feedings.

- Have a stash of your toddler’s favorite books in your nursing area. Once you become an experienced nursing mother, you can use your free hand to read to your toddler during feeding times.

Nursing can be a wonderful experience the second time around, especially if you are well- equipped and ready to entertain your toddler during feeding times. Enjoy bonding with your baby and with your toddler during this very special time in your newborn’s life.

Claesen’s Kid Clothing

Claesen’s Kid Clothing

Claesen’s started out in 1994 as a known entity for its tees, tanks, and underwear for little ones. Now, the company has launched a kids clothing line, and is making waves with its baby and toddler clothing for both boys and girls.

Style, quality, and price are what Claesen’s kid clothing is all about. This best-selling European brand will keep your baby comfortable and stylish with adorable rompers, outfits, onesies, dresses, pant sets, t-shirts, tops, leggings, skirts and anything else you need to complete your little one’s wardrobe.

You’ll love Claesen’s for their fun styles, comfortable fit and affordable prices. Check out some of the kids clothing from Claesen’s for this fall below.

Green Dots Polo Romper
$18.00
This dark green polo romper is a must-have for any baby boy! Paired with your favorite pants or jeans, this polo shirt will make him look like a big kid. Claesen's signature comfortable fabric will make it his favorite too! 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Machine wash.

Pink Long Sleeve Shirt and Legging Set
$27.99
Cozy and chic, this outfit is everything you'd want for your little one. The long sleeved shirt has a precious printed argyle graphic. Shoulder snaps make dressing your little one a bit easier. Super-soft cotton makes this set extra comfy. 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Machine wash.

Gray Guitar Top and Pant Set
$48.99
Your little rock star will love this 2-piece set from Claesen's. The gray raglan tee has dark gray sleeves and three guitars printed down the chest. The matching fleece pants have an elastic waist and tie closure. So soft and comfy! 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Orange Dots Dress and Raspberry Legging Set
$64.00
She'll love wearing this luxe dots dress and legging set from Claesens. Made with the softest fabric imaginable, this dress is printed with a fun little print that is perfect for every day wear. 95% cotton, 5% spandex.

Books Every Mom and Dad Should Check Out

As we know, children do not come with instruction manuals, but we are lucky enough to have a plethora of parenting books available to us on all facets of parenting.

I am a parenting book junkie…I love to know what the new parenting books are so I can learn the new parenting trends, research and ideas. I was excited when I ran across this article on the Breezy Mama Web site entitled, “Top Ten Parenting Books.”

After reading over this list, here are the books I am intrigued by---check them out when you get a second. I had not heard of many of these books before, so was excited to read about a fresh, new crop of parenting books. To read the article in its entirety, click here. Happy reading from Pure and Honest Kids!

Raising Confident Girls
By: Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer
Synopsis: How parents and teachers can help young children through the crises of confidence that mark their formative years. Girls need ample, loving demonstrations from adults close to them that they are appreciated and can be trusted to know what they need for themselves. They also need to be given plenty of opportunity to develop their talents. Girls who lack sufficient emotional support may feel neglected and unworthy of attention, and easily find themselves at greater risk of exploitation and abuse, even as adults. Raising Confident Girls provides parents and teachers with the best hands-on, practical advice available for nurturing girls in a changing and challenging social environment.

Raising Your Spirited Child
By: Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Synopsis: The spirited child—often called “difficult” or “strong-willed”—possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited kids are wired to be “more”—by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child. In this revised edition of the award-winning classic, Kurcinka provides vivid examples and a refreshingly positive viewpoint. Raising Your Spirited Child will help you: understand your child’s —and your own—temperamental traits, discover the power of positive—rather than negative—labels, cope with the tantrums and power struggles when they do occur, plan for success with a simple four-step program, and develop strategies for handling mealtimes, sibling rivalry, bedtimes, holidays, and school, among other situations.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

By: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Synopsis: An excellent communication tool kit based on a series of workshops developed by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Faber and Mazlish (coauthors of Siblings Without Rivalry) provide a step-by-step approach to improving relationships in your house. The “Reminder” pages, helpful cartoon illustrations, and excellent exercises will improve your ability as a parent to talk and problem-solve with your children. The book can be used alone or in parenting groups, and the solid tools provided are appropriate for kids of all ages.

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys
By: Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
Synopsis: A genuine enthusiasm for their subject shines through the pages of this enormously compelling book, as the authors share insights on boys’ emotional development from birth through the college years. An increasingly high-profile topic in the wake of disheartening statistics about adolescent suicide and violence. In much the same way that Reviving Ophelia offered new models for raising girls, therapists Kindlon and Thompson argue that boys desperately need a new standard of “emotional literacy,” showing how our culture’s dominant masculine stereotypes shortchange boys and lead them toward emotional isolation. The authors turn a spotlight on the inner lives of boys, debunking preconceptions about gender, explaining the importance of nurturing communication skills and empathy in boys as well as girls, and steering boys toward a manhood of emotional attachment, not stoicism and solitude. They also challenge the ways in which, in their view, traditional school environments put boys at a disadvantage (why not hold off on reading instruction a year or two? they ask; why not five short recesses a day?). Such issues as drinking, drugs and the “culture of cruelty” among adolescents, in which “anything a boy says or does can and will be used against him,” also meet with sensitive treatment. Separate chapters examine the relationships between fathers and sons and mothers and sons, and show how these can be protected and redefined. This thoughtful book is recommended for parents, teachers or anyone with a vested interest in raising happy, healthy, emotionally whole young men.

Modern Motherhood

There is no such thing as a “typical” family any more, just as there is no such thing as an “normal” pregnancy. Cookie Magazine printed some interesting statistics about mothers, pregnancy, and families that make you realize that modern motherhood is anything but cookie-cutter.

Did you know???

· The most common day of the week to be born is Tuesday?
· The birthrate for mothers aged 45-49 has gone up 300 percent since 1990?
· The percentage of babies born by Caesarean in 2006 was 31 percent?
· The current cost of one year’s supply of formula on average is $1500?
· The increase in the number of twins from 1980 to 2004 was 70 percent?
· The number of new moms, ages 35 and up in 2006 was 113,371?
· The percentage of births to single mothers in 1970 and 2006 was 22.4 percent and 36.2 percent, respectively?

The ever-changing state of motherhood is fascinating. It just goes to show you that families are made in many ways and all are wonderful and special!

Serena & Lily’s Gracie Bedding- Every Little Girl’s Dream!

If you are in the market for some “big girl” bedding for your little one, you must check out Serena & Lily’s Gracie bedding…it is adorable! It is a mix of pink and chocolate that is both bold and delicate. The large–scale damask, paired with chocolate penny dots and scallop embroidery, gives Gracie a sweet sophistication that speaks to the girl in all of us.

It’s all about the details when it comes to Serena and Lily’s Gracie bedding. You’ll love the chocolate piping and fabric covered button closure.

To complete the bedding set, pair the Gracie Duvet with the Chocolate Scallop Standard Sham, the Chocolate Scallop Bedskirt and the Chocolate Penny Dot or Chocolate Scallop Sheet Sets, all by Serena & Lily.

The best part? The Gracie duvet is machine washable...every parent’s dream! The twin duvet measures 66" x 86," while the Full/Queen measures 86" x 86."

This gorgeous bedding collection is sure to make your daughter smile! Serena & Lily offers timeless, sophisticated and simple baby and children's bedding that is fresh and style-driven, with dynamic color and pattern combinations.

Serena and Lily is also a favorite among celebrities. Check out Serena & Lily’s gorgeous bedding options for infants and children today!

Grocery Shopping Tips to Help Keep Your Family Healthy

My daughter has always been a healthy eater. Fruits and vegetables were always welcomed by her and never a problem. But as we get closer and closer to her three year old birthday, my banana loving, green bean-eating girl has become slightly more opinionated, and definitely more picky!

How to continue her good eating habits has been on my mind, so I did some research. I found a wonderful article on Just the Facts Baby that can help anyone who is trying to make the best shopping decisions for our families at their local grocery store.

Here are some helpful tips on how to decode shopping labels to help make the healthiest foods on store shelves from the Just the Facts Baby Web site.

--- The words “organically grown,” “organic,” “pesticide-free” and “no artificial ingredients” actually say very little about the nutritional value or safety of the product. Trust only those labels that say "certified organically grown."

--- Go to the ingredients list. This is where you find out what's actually in the food. Manufacturers list ingredients in order from most to least (so if "sugar" is the first ingredient, you're off to a bad start). Look for words you can't pronounce or terms that sound like something from your ninth-grade chemistry textbook, which is a clue that there are chemical additives that might be harmful to your health.

--- Made with wheat, rye, or multi-grains implies the food is a good source of whole grains, but doesn't actually tell you how much whole grain is really in it. Look for the word "whole" before the grain to ensure you're actually getting a 100% whole-grain product.

--- “Sugar-free,” “sugarless,” or “no added sugar” tell you nothing about sugar derivatives or sugar substitutes, which can yield just as many calories as table sugar and may be more harmful for you child than sugar itself. Check the ingredient list for sugar substitutes, such as aspartame, neotame, erythritol, acesulfame-potassium, sorbitol and lactitol.

To read the article in its entirety, click here. Happy food shopping from Pure and Honest Kids!

Parenting Role Models from the Media

Do you ever dream about what kind of parent you are going to be? Our parenting styles are shaped by so many things, including our own parents, parenting books, and believe it or not, television shows and movies!

One of my favorite set of parents from a television show is The Cosby Show’s Cliff and Clair Huxtable. Some of my favorite Huxtable memories are when the Huxtable parents deal with the loss of Rudy’s fish (the toilet burial), and also when Theo decides he wants to move out on his own, so the Huxtables teach him about “real life” and charge him “rent” to demonstrate how hard it would be to live without parental support.

Here are some other fan favorite television families:
- Marge and Homer Simpson (The Simpson’s)
- Steven and Elyse Keaton (Family Ties)
- Jason and Maggie Seaver (Growing Pains)
- Raymond and Debra Barone (Everyone Loves Raymond)
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What television family do you remember from growing up that has helped shaped your parenting style? Is there a favorite memory from a television show that you have recalled while raising your own kids? Post it in the comments section below.

Be Nice---Toddler Manners!

It’s never too early to teach your toddler manners! My little one is soaking up manners right now (not to say she doesn’t still have her moments.) But it is amazing to me how she has picked up on “please” and “thank you” so quickly. My favorite is when she says “bless you” and “yes, ma’m." Music to my ears!

Here are some tips on how to instill manners in your little one at an early age.

- Chat about the good deeds that you do or that others do to provide examples for your child. For instance, when you need to write a thank you note to someone, involve your child in the process. Let them help you put the stamp on the letter and explain that you are thanking “Aunt Betty” for the gift she sent you. It is a great teachable moment on why it is important to say thank you.

- Use manners yourself. Whatever manners you want your child to use, make sure you are modeling yourself. Your child will pick up on it very quickly if you are repetitive with your “pleases” and “thank yous.”

- Point out when your child uses good manners and make a big deal out of it. When you catch your child being kind or using manners, make sure you praise them and give her positive reinforcement. If you only point out the bad, your child could decide they don’t care if they get the negative attention, as long as they get attention from you. Positive attention is what we want them to crave!

- Practice greetings. When you are going to meet someone out at the mall or a restaurant, practice with your toddler how you are going to greet your friend or relative. Tell them to say hello when you get there and say goodbye when it’s time to leave. If your child gets shy around other people, help them with their greetings, but don’t press them to talk because it will just make them feel even more uneasy. They will begin to feel more comfortable with their greetings in time!

Manners are something a person carries with them for a lifetime! Your child will benefit greatly from the manners you teach them at a young age, so good jobs moms and dads! Now if someone could just help us learn how to share...that's a whole other topic for another day!