Monkey See, Monkey Do

funny monkey ... two ponytail holders by CuckooBoo
2-5T Cotton mini Monkey Flap Hat by citefuzz
Custom Monkey Favor Tags by ciaobambino
Diaper Clutch in Pink Monkeys by claireandjanea
Yellow Sock Monkey and Chenille Bib by littlethingsboutique

Handmade Traditional Red Heel Sock Monkey by woodponddesigns

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Wall Art for Little Bedrooms

At the slightest hint of Spring, the cleaning, de-cluttering, purging, rearranging, and redecorating side of me jumps into action, especially in the kids bedrooms - holy moly kids can cram a ton of stuff in their rooms, especially over the winter, [what's with that?]! Once their rooms are sparkling and orderly, the rearranging and redecorating begins! In our house, this kind of redecorating is more rearranging than redecorating, 'cause there isn’t much budget for “decorating.” So we move furniture around, add and subtract accessories from one room for another, turn sheets into curtains, and do all we can to make the room look totally fresh and different.

Art work is always something I struggle with in my kids rooms. I want something fun, creative and inspiring, but I also want it to work for my 3 year old or my 10 year old, and still work when they're 16. [I know I ask a lot for my $1]

The EtsyKids team has an amazing selection of “wall art.” Prints or original works in a variety of different themes, colors, sizes and prices. How fun to be able to add a new dimension to a child’s space with an original piece of art. Here are four to get your search started.

Alligator Gator Love by weandthebean
Random Frogs by cicifactory
Underground Homes by LittleDumplingPrints
Oh by FlutterBrush

I'll be sharing more EtsyKids wall art over the coming weeks. Look for them on Wall Art Wednesdays.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge - We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of this month's challenge 17.Build a Tree Decal Kit - Kids Decal by: trendypeas!
Trendy Peas offers beautiful and affordable wall art for a modern nursery as well as very cute invitations and so much more. Their amazing wall decals are made of fabric and unlike vinyl, they are easily removable and reusable. Trendy Peas lovely and colorful images will surely brighten up your tot's room, just click here and see for yourself.

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Etsy Kids in Full Bloom

EtsyKids team members kicked off the first week of Spring with a flower garden full of beautiful handmades for babies, kids and tots! All week long team members posted some of their favorite flower inspired EtsyKids finds on the Etsy Forums. Check it out to see all the amazing variety the team has to offer!

Peasant Dress in Mocca by ButterflyBabyPlace
Felted Flower Ring - buttercup by thecleverkitty
Red, Blue Flower Reversible Bib by brooksboutique
Everyday Necktie, Red Blossoms by Me and Matilda
Spring Bloom Crocheted Hair clip Set by AngelFishBoutique

Every Monday morning Liz of Daisy Creek Designs selects a new theme of EtsyKids handmades to highlight. Stop by and see the latest in chic designs for the little ones in your life.

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5 Life Skills Every Kid Needs

I just finished reading a most interesting article in Parenting Magazine. I wanted share some snippets. If you'd like to read the entire article - it is from the April 2010 Issue called Parenting Early Years. You can read more at Parenting.com and also find them on twitter and FaceBook.

5 Skills Every Kid Needs

1. How to be a loser
~Not the good for nothing loser but how to loose at something and still be okay.
!Lead by example...Model being a good loser over and over.

2. How to be a joiner
~Not that your child should be indistinguishable from the flock, but knowing how to join in an activity or a preexisting group.
!Teach your child to recognize the 'friendly vibes' that certain kids in the group may be giving off. Eye contact...instead standing outside the circle and asking 'can I play' and not being heard by anyone. They should approach the child that is making eye contact and smiling.

3. How to fight for what's right
~Being the defender of someone lower on the social food chain than you is enormously scary- it can feel as though your entire social survival is at stake, which is why almost all kids need help to do so. Having both the confidence and the moral judgment to not only refuse to join in the teasing but also walk away or even better stand up for what's right.
!All this takes is basic conversation...kids instinctively know that its wrong to hurt someone elses feelings.

4. How to be a good actor
~Knowing which emotions to reveal and which ones are better kept under wraps, to be expressed later. It also means learning ho to be less than honest at times for the sake of others feelings. You will no doubt teach your child to say to his well meaning great aunt who didn't get him a Wii 'Thank you, I can really use these thermal tube socks'.
!This one is all about impulse control. You can teach them how to keep from blurting out by giving simple guidelines and steps.

5. How to question authority
~A kid who questions authority and manages to do so respectfully and effectively is a kid who will do well for himself in the long run.
!Kids question authority naturally - the key is to guide them on how to do it politely and on your end, say yes whenever possible

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Mr. Airplane's Friends

Thanks Winklepots for inspiring this collection with last weeks "Mom Mondays" post.

Airplane Single Flyer Mobile by BuggaLove
Tri-Fold Coloring Wallet by GetSassed
Taking Flight Diaper Cake by girliemomma
Blue Boy Romper with Airplanes by Kids Fashions by Linda
Transportation Name Sign by Little Elephant Co
Fly With Me Reversible Bib by Amy Rose Designs

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Spring Cleaning

This is my first time posting here on the EtsyKids blog :)
My name is Liz, and I am a lucky mama with 4 great kids. I have 2 boys & 2 girls.

I was thinking that since Spring is finally here, I would do a post about spring cleaning. I have been doing a little bit everyday . It is a big job, but I am enjoying it! It is so nice to be able to open the windows and let some fresh air in after being cooped up all winter long. We have had such gorgeous sunny and warm days here in Maryland lately.

As I clean I keep thinking about what kinds of things really help out and cut my cleaning time down. With 4 kids and a move coming up I need all the help I can get! I try to use natural cleaners whenever possible. Here are a few things that I have found really work well. I hope that this helps you too and if you have any tips please post and share!

1. To clean out your microwave (mine gets so gross, it is not even funny) I put about 1/2 cup of white vinegar and about 1/2 cup of water into a glass bowl and put it inside the microwave and turn it on for about 2 minutes. Then you can take the bowl out (carefully! It is really hot) and just wipe out the yuck! I leave the door open for a little while so the vinegar smell can dissipate :)

2. To clean all the grease off of the hood of my stove (OMG I just discovered this yesterday!!) A  Magic Eraser (The Mr. Clean one) WORKS MIRACLES!! Oh my goodness, with a little bit of scrubbing that yucky grease came right off. Also works great on the stove top!

3. Laundry Stains are a pain, but if it is an organic stain, I swear by Bac Out from Bi-O-Kleen. It uses enzymes to naturally remove stains. I use it on my sons cloth diapers too and it works so well :)

4. Homemade natural cleaners are awesome, inexpensive any my favorite part is you can make them smell like whatever you want! Here is a neat website with all kinds of cleaning "recipes" 

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! Please be sure and share your tips in the comments!

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