Today I write to you with a heavy heart. Kiddo’s will be closing at the end of October after 5 amazing years in business.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I walk into the store everyday and truly LOVE what I do. I have been blessed with watching many Kiddo’s Kids grow up, been a part of new arrivals, and most of all been a part of such a wonderful community on the Vineyard.

I know this business is needed and can succeed here, but it is time for me to say goodbye. To anyone who may want to take this 5 year old “child” and adopt it, nothing would make me happier to have it continue to grow.

Thank you for being a part of Kiddo’s and such an amazing part of my life.

I will miss you.

-Danielle Bailey

Aka Kiddo

For many of us who are lucky enough to live year round on the Vineyard or those who have summer homes here, or even those who just like coming over for a day or two, know that Memorial Day Weekend tends to be the kick off to summer. We frantically get our homes ready, yards cleaned up, flowers planted, and hope that we can even sneak in our first visit to the beach!

This Memorial Day Weekend at Kiddo’s is not only the kick off to summer, but it is also the kick off to our first summer in Oak Bluffs! We moved to our new location at 42 Circuit Ave in January. If you have not seen our new location, it must be on your list this weekend.

We are excited to have added some new items you will not be able to live without, especially when it comes to beach time. Melissa & Doug beach toys, chairs, toys and games have already been a hit. Those of you, who have your “little grown-ups” arriving this weekend, remember we carry the Summer line for all of your monitor, bedrails, bath bather, and changing pad needs. And, we are also happy to carry Baby Bjorn for your potty training needs.

So while you may be frantic getting ready for the first weekend of the summer, know that Kiddo’s is excited to be a part of your family needs, celebrations, and some days just a simple smile.

See you in Oak Bluffs-we are excited for the Summer of 2011 to begin!

When is the last time you had a Date Night? Did you have to count on your fingers & toes? On that date did you talk about the kids the whole night? Or those of us with no kids, was it all about work? It’s time, you are due for a night out, a break from life and to just enjoy each other with no interruptions. Sounds good? So this time, be different.

In the next 2 weeks make it a goal, a plan, a scheduled date you do with your significant other, and do NOT talk about those things you always talk about.  This month in Parents Magazine, February 2011 there is a great Date Night Cheat Sheet by Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham on page 74 or go to  www.parents.com and download and bring on the date!

A few examples that may be great conversation starters and you may even learn something new.

Over Appitizers you may talk about…If you could try out any occupation for a year, what would it be?

Over the Entrée If you could rewind any point in your past, what would you want to relive?

Over Dessert What’s that one item you own that you should get rid of but never will?

Remember it’s time to regroup, and what a better time then in the winter when we all need to get out and try something new!  Have fun on your Date Night!

-Danielle

aka: The shop owner who finally had date night with her boyfriend, it amazing what can happen over a 2 hour dinner, finally feel connected again.

For those of you that have been stuck in 20+” of snow this week, had kids home from school, been busy cleaning up from the Christmas chaos or maybe just decided to “turn it off” this week from technology, you may have missed our week long hints to our BIG NEWS. By Friday, December 31, at 8:00 am, we gave our final clues and announced…

Kiddo’s is moving to 42 Circuit Ave, Oak Bluffs!!

Yes, we are moving where the Steamship, Ocean Park, Flying Horses Carousal and the Tabernacle will all be in our neighborhood. We are so excited to be a part of Circuit Ave and the Oak Bluffs community and look forward to 2011!

I personally just want to thank a few people that without them this move would not be possible…

• Dalsie, owner of Knickers, easiest said…”Thanks for paying it forward.”
• Frank & Rita of Sanctuary, Sarah & Jake of Lazy Frog, & Craftworks for being so welcoming, I look forward to being your neighbor.
• Harold Chapdelaine of Stonebridge Building & Design for his amazing team!
• Sandy & Patrick Burt, (or should I say Memi & Pepi for taking the kids) for all your hard work this week…you truly are amazing friends!
• Lastly…I want to thank, my previous landlord, Daniel van Rooyan (the angel above,) and his son, Carl who were so good to me these last 4 years.
• Oh…one more…or should I say a few more…The Tisbury Market Place Owners. Thanks for being such great colleagues and supporters of me & Kiddo’s, I will miss you.

I am sure I have missed a few people, including my family in MN and Chicago, those that lifted boxes and drove their trucks over to OB for me, my boyfriend Jiri who basically just put up with me, and even that amazing Retail Angel in Boston who always seems to be there for me…THANK YOU.

So to my Kiddo’s Customers whom become Family these last 4 years…

May your New Year be filled with much Peace, Love & Prosperity and I look forward to seeing you in our new home at 42 Circuit Ave.

Happy New Year!

-Danielle Bailey & the Kiddo’s Krew

I cannot believe it is already Christmas Eve; time has flown by this year. I know Santa will be very busy this evening with many stops, as all you Little Ones, and Big Ones too, have been very good this year.

I continue to feel blessed to have Kiddo’s in my life and to be a part of the Vineyard community. This holiday season, we helped again with Red Stocking, and we also were a part of the Tisbury Business Association holiday campaign encouraging Vineyarders to Shop Local this Holiday Season.

I thank you so much for shopping locally, and being a part of the Kiddo’s family. May you enjoy this time with your family and friends, and keep us in mind for your next gift to give.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Kiddo’s!

Danielle Bailey

& the Kiddo’s Krew

PS: Don’t miss our email on Monday December 27.

We will kick off a 5 Day Contest about some exciting news for Kiddo’s!

I do not often have moments like this, so when I do I just need to grasp it and let the words start flowing. This past Monday evening, after a busy Memorial weekend, I decided to go to a movie with one of my girlfriend’s. We both had a crazy weekend, and nothing could be better then sitting in a theatre to escape.

The movie…Sex & the City 2.

There was a scene that stood above all, but not for the glamour, fashion, or romance but for what was said just between 2 moms. It was Charlotte and Miranda having cocktails at their in-room bar, dressed to the 9’s and getting really raw with each other about being a mom. Miranda began, and encouraged Charlotte to follow. It took a little coaching but in the end she was able to talk. TAKE A SIP…it was repeated at the end of every sentence, and all I wanted to do was replay this scene again & again.

“Being a mom is really hard…Take A Sip.”

“I forgot who I really am… Take A Sip.”

“I hide sometimes and just listen to my daughter cry, is that wrong? … Take A Sip.”

“I miss working…Take A Sip.”

“I love my daughters so much, it’s all I ever wanted, what is wrong with me?

… Take A Sip.”

“Is it wrong to need a break?… Take A Sip.”

What I saw as a single woman, not a mom, was two women talking, two women sharing, listening, and telling each other that is ok to “Take A Sip.”  Yes these two char actors literally took a sip, but what really I took from it, is we need to realize it is OK to “Take A Sip” that it is ok to take a break, ok to vent to a friend, husband, wife, colleague that life can get hard, and it is ok to take a break. Breathe.

So often, I see my Kiddo’s Moms & Dads, working so hard, trying, being the best they can be. Managing so many titles for one person, Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband, their (Job title) that they often do not take that time just for them to recharge, regroup, and yes Take A Sip. They forgot to take care of themselves, and each other. Date night? What is that?

So this week as we move into a busy time of year, when school is about to end, the schedules change, and the jobs get busier, remember that you do need to Take A Sip, that yes it is OK to take that Sip. You will become recharged and ready to begin again, and realize this life you live is a pretty great one.

Just “Take A Sip.”

Spring is such a fun time on the Vineyard, as we know summer is just around the corner and we look forward to the grayness going away! At Kiddo’s we are getting ready with lots of fun new lines coming in such as Mulberribush

Check out our great Spring Special this week, Pick a Gerber Daisy from our flower box, check out the pedal underneath to receive 10-40% off ANY ONE ITEM while shopping in the store that day. Offer is one per customer.

I also want to provide you a link to some information I found on the Sling studies you may have heard about in the news lately. www.cpsc.gov I printed out this article available at the store and via this email. Kiddo’s takes great pride in providing safe and quality items for your little one, and tries very hard to keep up with all current studies. We currently carry Baby Bjorn and Hotslings and both are safe for your child. The study does NOT list any specific lines that are not safe, but want consumers to be aware of how your baby is positioned in a baby sling that may cause problems.  Please feel free to contact the store if you have any concerns.

So as you may be preparing for Saturday’s arrival of Spring, remember to stop by and see what is new at Kiddo’s!

Happy Spring!

Danielle Bailey

]]> http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=51 http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=40 http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=40#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:58:25 +0000 admin http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=40 It is that time of year again, where we like to send a little love to those we care a lot about. Join in our Kiddo’s Contest where you can express what you love the most. Details below of how you can enter.

Kiddo’s Valentine Contest:

Who or What do you love?

Make a Valentine for our window display with a photo of your little Kiddo with WHO or WHAT they love and you will be entered into our raffle to win a $10, $15 or $20 Gift Certificate!

In the Valentine, tell us in a sentence who, what or why they love what they love. Make sure to mention your little Kiddo’s first name in the sentence. On the back of the Valentine write your little Kiddo’s name and phone # to call if they are a winner!

All entries must be submitted by Friday, February 12 and the winners will be drawn on February 13. You can drop off at the store Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 or mail to Kiddo’s Po Box 1786, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

So create an art project on a chilly winter day. Have some fun learning about what your little Kiddo loves, you may be surprised!

]]> http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=40 http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=20 http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=20#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:47:11 +0000 admin http://kiddosmv.com/blog/?p=20 As we look back on 2009 we reflect on some of Kiddo’s highlights.

We celebrated our 3rd Best of the Vineyard award in June, and even had Michelle Bailey (Danielle’s Mom) celebrate with us. In August we celebrated our 3^rd Birthday with lots of Hip, Hip, Hoorays, and later in the month had the honor of getting ready for the arrival of the First Family. Kiddo’s made the front page of the Cape Cod Times with our poster that attracted a reporter walking by our window. In the fall, we prepared for the holiday season with the Shop Page of www.kiddosmv.com going live, were blessed with many Baby Registries and in December helped 35 Vineyard children with Red Stocking.

We love being a part of the your life, your family and this community and wish you all the happiness in 2019. We look forward to your next visit to the store or online.

Happy  New Year from all of us at Kiddo’s!

-Danielle Bailey

& the Kiddo’s Krew

I thank you so much for shopping locally, and being a part of the Kiddo’s family. May you enjoy this time with your family and friends, and keep us in mind for your next gift to give.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Kiddo’s!

Danielle Bailey

& the Kiddo’s Krew