Wallabies Kids's Weblog

CPSIA: You can call it a clarification, if it makes you feel better!

wallabieskids — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:44:06 +0000

Save Kids Resale

We’re only clear on one thing, we still can’t sell used items that exceed the lead limitations effective February 10, 2009, only now it is solely our responsibility to discern which items qualify. Nothing has changed. Thanks so much CPSC and Congress for responding to our industry’s call for help. I’m so glad you’re on my payroll. Now if the media could just lay off the stories saying everything is fine and really read the “clarification,” we could continue seeking real answers. Don’t believe everything you read. The Feds have not cleared up anything, only clouded it further. There has been NO change to the law, no exception, no exemption, no ruling, No Kidding.

Reusing Does Not Trash The Planet!

wallabieskids — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:19:39 +0000

Thanks to all our customers for doing their part!

Living Green is all over the media… well that and impending recession. We all want what is best for our children’s future. So… here’s a few more things to think about in our daily lives as we putter along.

Give Blood! According to the Florida Blood Services current blood supplies are LOW. Visit FBS for information on where to donate.
Donate used eyeglasses. I contacted Vision Works and they have a drop off box for used eyeglasses and I believe Lens Crafters does also.
Recycle your old cell phone. Here are a few links for donating cell phones, although most cell phone stores have drop off places.

Cell phones for soldiers

New Port Richey Police Dept.

This one is for my husband : ) Stop the styrofoam coffee cup addiction! Bring your own coffee mug and reuse it!
Skimp on the plastic bags… This one is my pet peeves! When grocery shopping I really have to stress to please fill my bags full. There is nothing I hate more than just one or two things in a plastic bag!
I’m still working on this one and it’s a hard habit for me to break. Maybe I’m just preoccupied when I’m paying, but NO, I don’t need a plastic bag for a book and a bottle of children’s Tylenol. Silly me.

Don’t forget… We’re giving our fabulous green Wallabies Kids totes free with any purchase on Earth Day, April 22!

Going Green this Spring!

wallabieskids — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:53:15 +0000

Our focus this Spring will be going Green! Earth Day is soon approaching and there are many reasons to think green, from being frugal to sustaining our earth’s resources.

Having stumbled upon this article from the St. Pete Times (2005), we were astounded at the statistics! Keeping recyclables out of landfills will protect our environment and save our county from spending money unnecessarily. Another article from 2008 follows up on some of the issues discussed in the previous article.

While Pasco County may be lacking in its efforts to assist its citizens with recycling, we’ve listed just a few of the small ways each of us can easily do our part to make a change. Maybe our local government will match our enthusiasm for this great county and step up its efforts!

Recycle newspapers: Among the many places to recycle newspaper, Hope United Methodist Church (2200 Little Road, across from Mitchell High) has a newspaper recycling bin located in their parking lot. The box says, “Thank you for making this fundraiser successful,” so your recycling efforts apparently assist the church.
Trinity Oaks Elementary (1827 Trinity Oaks Blvd.) is one of the many places that accept household batteries, used cell phones, and used ink jet cartridges for recycling as a fundraiser.
Misc items: Consider a donation to Creation Station. If there is a large response from this, we will try to have a pick up at Wallabies Kids.
Don’t throw ‘em away! Recycle your unwanted plastic Easter eggs at Wallabies Kids. We’ll gladly use them in our egg hunt next year.

There are so many creative ways to recycle and our children are sometimes the most clever thinkers. Let us know what other ideas you have by sending us an email or commenting on our blog.

Tatters to Treasures Contest

So many of you are talented and creative, so here’s a challenge you’ll be sure to amaze us with!

Using clothing that is unwearable (has a stain, rip, worn area, etc.), create a new article of clothing or another item. We will judge the entries and display your creations.

Contest ends Friday, April 18th. Winners will be announced Earth Day, April 22nd.

Work alone or as a group. We can’t wait to see the results!

Thanks to our friend and mentor, Kate Holmes, creator of How to Consign, for the info on reconstructed clothing. Who knew it was such a phenomenon? (See Athens Changes in the blogroll on the right for more on reconstructed clothing)

We know we can’t enter, but we will attempt to create something ourselves, LOL!

Here’s to thinking green…

and purple!

www.wallabieskids.com

More Recalls Announced

wallabieskids — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:12:57 +0000

At Wallabies Kids we receive daily email updates from the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding product recalls. In the past few days there have been several more toy recalls due to lead paint and the announcement of a voluntary recall of Bumbo seats due to reports of head injuries. These accidents have apparently happened when the caregivers of the injured children put the seats on raised surfaces such as counter tops and tables. According to the company, the seat may be safely used as stated in the manual, on the ground (but should also not be used in the bath).

Consumers can contact Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bumbosafety.com. The company will send you a label for your Bumbo and a new instruction sheet.

NOTE: We will not be taking Bumbo seats without the new label. If you need assistance in obtaining a label, please contact us.

Recalls from CPSC can be accessed from the government website at www.cpsc.gov or directly from our website, under RECALLS, at www.wallabieskids.com.

The safety of your child is our main priority! Please let us know if we can assist you in looking up any item for recall information.

Camping…or something like it

wallabieskids — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:34:13 +0000

All my son wanted for his 10th birthday party was to go camping with some friends. We chose the perfect spot, Starkey Park, where you have a choice of tent camping or renting a cabin for $15.00 a night. Hey, we’ve tent camped plenty of times, this time we’re going upscale. Each cabin can sleep 8, if you opt for the bunks; however, we brought our own air mattresses. I have to say, the cabins were so clean and roomy. Yes, it’s Florida, so it’s hot, there are bugs, and the racoons are just waiting for you to finish dinner so they can have your leftovers. At least there was some rain prior to our weekend, so we were able to have a small fire and roast marshmallows. Every year local businesses set up haunted houses in these cabins around Halloween and although I’d never dare go, my now 10 year old has been. As soon as it started getting dark, the memories of those haunted houses started creeping in and all we heard for hours was, “Can we go home now?” Sure, we’ll just pack these TWO CARLOADS of stuff back up real quick and head home. Not much could appease him, not the fact that there is a lock on the door, or that mom and dad are protecting him, even that the ranger drove by about every twenty minutes. All he could think of were visions of someone from the Jaycees in a Jason mask yielding a chainsaw. Ah, well, at least we scored our first two Geocaches! That was the best part of the trip. If your family is looking for something fun to do together and at least one of you in the family can figure out how to work a handheld GPS unit, we highly recommend it! http://www.geocaching.com

Happy Birthday Baby! Next year we’ll do a hotel!

Fashion it for Safety, the awww factor!

wallabieskids — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:08:19 +0000

When You have 15 kids lined up show off their stuff in front of a crowd, should you worry? Apparently not! What an amazing group of kids! These little ones, and not so little, ranged from just 18 months to 11 years old and they acted like pros. There were some pretty special moments, like little 4 year old Evan, who blew mom a kiss and said the classic, “Hi, Mom!,” then later helped another little girl, whom he had never met, on and off the stage. You can imagine his mom must be pretty proud. We had little ones who should have been totally freaked about being up in that window, but I think they could have stayed up there all day. Sweet little Chloe made the cutest little shoulder shrugs. You just wanted to scoop her up. Honestly, they all looked like model material. Those older boys looked cool as cucumbers and could give any runway model a run for their money.

Our Baby Legs were a huge hit. If you didn’t get to see them on the runway, you need to stop in and check them out. They have many uses, from the legs to the arms, as seen on Amber, who demonstrated how to wear them with short sleeved shirts to keep your arms warm when you get cold (especially in the cold classrooms, easier to toss in your backpack than a jacket). They are not just for babies! We’ll post more pictures and uses here very soon. Visit www.babylegs.net to have a look.

If you missed our Fashion Show, you can still help support our charity while getting some great back to school outfits! There are a few outfits available, the proceeds from which will go to the charity. Just stop by the store and have a look!

A huge ThAnK YoU! to all the families that participated in the show and to all our generous friends who helped make it possible! We thank you and we look forward to having Safe Kids Coalition as part of our community!

Chick lit, anyone?

wallabieskids — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:49:16 +0000

So, I’m just dying to reading Sophie Kinsella’s newest, Shopaholic & Baby, but I’m too frugal to go out and buy a copy. If you know the series, then you can imagine that the main character, Becky, has spent a fortune getting ready for the new baby, when she could be shopping RESALE! I wonder if they even have resale shops in London? Yes, these are the questions that keep me up at night. That and a lot of caffeine. Anyway, I found a link on the author’s website for a chance to win an autographed copy of the book! How cool would that be? Everyone, go right now and sign up. If you win, you have to let me know. I signed up, but, repeat after me, “I never win anything.” Trust me, if I win, you’ll all hear about it! http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/kinsella/index.html

Welcome friends!

wallabieskids — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:40:58 +0000

If you know me, then you know I rarely run out of things to say. I will talk to anyone who will talk back, or those who won’t, for that matter. I just love to have conversation and the thoughts don’t stop when I’m not talking either. Don’t laugh now…if you’re reading this, you are probably like me too. You have a best friend you can yammer on the phone with about NOTHING and suddenly an hour has gone by. Whoever thought up blogging must be a talker too! I’m really enjoying reading all those mommy blogs out there and those of a few of my online friends who have resale stores too.

Check back often for news about what’s happening at Wallabies Kids! And don’t forget to leave a comment. It’ll feel almost like we’ve gotten to have a chat.