Caterpillars...Butterflies...sent from above!



Butterfly coloring page

This is a really fun project to do with your little one to get us through these last few weeks of summer. Witness the wonder of the butterfly life-cycle. It is so much fun to have your little one, watch the caterpillars transition as it grows, changes into a chrysalis, and finally emerges into a beautiful butterfly. It usually takes about 3 weeks to become a butterfly, and you store inside and the release butterfly outside.

To get started:



1. You will need, your larvae, and a mason jar.
2. You can have your little one decorate the mason jar while you wait for the little insect to come.
3. For the lid, you can use a very breathable fabric to allow circulation.

**Order your little future butterfly at Insect Lore: Click on Insect Lore.

Here is also a great video on this experience you can share with your little one:

Caterpillar to Butterfly

Here are some pics from our experience.



Caterpillar in her cocoon.



It hatched!





Hatched, but hasn't opened her wings yet!





Finally...a Beautiful Butterfly!



 

So much fun, we are thinking about doing it again! Hope you are having a great summer.

| Your Desert Momma |

On a personal note: My daughter recently brought her little larvae home from class this summer. We had so much fun checking on it everyday. We stored it in our laundry cabinet, and everyday she would go, "Moma...buga" and go to the laundry to see how the caterpillar changed. Then on June 26th my grandmother suffered a severe stroke, and was unresponsive in the hospital. My family and I, hopped on a plane to be by her side as she prepare to rest in peace. On June 30th, my grandmother became our angel from above and went to heaven. On that same day, my daughter's butterfly hatched at our home. I believe in my heart that my daughter's "GG" to come and say "hello" to her in the way of the butterfly. So now, every time my daughter and I see a butterfly, I know and say, that "GG's" with us.

If you would like to read more on how butterflies connected to my family, during death...you can visit my personal blog http://toggwithlove.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/butterfly/

This was dedicated to my Grandmother and GG, Melba. We will always love you.



Kids Fourth of July Clothing - Red, White and Cute!

We are one week away from the 4th of July! Time to make sure we are dressed for the occasion!
Well, at least our little ones can be! Here are some of the cutest little RED, WHITE, and BLUE outfits to dress your little patriotic one! Happy Shopping!

GIRLS:

Love u Lots



Out in the desert, we tend to find ourselves in the pools or going to the beach for the 4th, so of course cute swimwear is a must.

I found this cute swimsuit at UrbanKidz

Adorable!



Etsy -WhatKidsLike

Kate Mack - My fav!

 



Blue Stripe Love - Etsy



Etsy-Graceisenough





Etsy-SweetSassyBoutique



BOYS:



Etsy -ChicCoutureBoutique





GapSwimwear



KidsWearhouse

And don't forget about your furry kids:



Etsy

| Your Desert Momma |

Beat the Heat, and Get Wet in a Splashpad!

How about taking the kids to a splashpad this week?



Scottsdale Quarter

There are so many fun splashpads around the valley, but I am loving
{The Quad} - The new splashpad area in Scottsdale Quarter.

Get a bite to eat at TrueFood

Great Kiddie Menu:

And have fun, get wet! :)

Leapin’ Lagoon at the Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo has a "sprayground" (spray pad zero depth water play area) called Leapin' Lagoon. There is also a cave with waterfall, a splash pad area and lots of shade!

Here are some other fun splash parks...plenty to choose from! Have fun!


SCOTTSDALE parks:
Vista del Camino Park is located at 7700 E. Roosevelt, by Indian Bend/Hayden Road.
Paiute Park is located at 3210 N. 66th street, South of Osborn Road.
Scottsdale has "spray poles" on the playgrounds at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road  Agua Linda Park, 8732 E. McDonald (Pima Road and McDonald).
La Mirada Park 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road in north Scottsdale.
Chesnutt Park  4565 N. Granite Reef Road.
 Pima Park  8600 E. Thomas Road.
Kierland
PHOENIX Splashpads:

Altadena Park Spray Pad: 3711 E. Altadena Avenue.

36th Street and Cactus Road. 602-262-6696.

Civic Space Park Spray Pad: 424 N. Central Ave in Downtown Phoenix. 602-262-6412. Accessible by

Edison Park Spray Pad: 901 N. 19th Street. 602-262-6412. The nearby major cross streets are 19th Street and Roosevelt.

Francisco Highland Park: 2702 E. South Mountain Avenue. The nearby major cross streets are 28th Street and South Mountain Avenue at the base of South Mountain. 602-262-6111.

Harmon Park Spray Pad: 1239 S. 5th Avenue. The nearby major cross streets are 5th Avenue and Buckeye. 602-262-6412.

Laveen Village Park Spray Pad: 3146 W. Vineyard, Phoenix. The nearby major cross streets are 31st Avenue and Baseline Road. 602-262-6111.

Mountain Vista Park Spray Pad: 13647 S. 50th Street in Ahwatukee Foothills. The nearby major cross streets are 50th Street and Ray Road.

Nuestro Park Spray Pad: Ninth Street and Pima, south of downtown Phoenix. 602-262-6111.

Pecos Park Spray Pad: 48th Street and Pecos Road in the Ahwatukee Foothills area of Phoenix. You enter the park from 48th Street, via Chandler Boulevard. 602-262-6111.

Desert Ridge Marketplace

TEMPE Splashpads:

 Jaycee Park  817 W 5th Street (at Hardy Drive) in Tempe. Call for info 480-350-8625.
 Jaycee Park  817 W 5th Street (at Hardy Drive) in Tempe. Call for info 480-350-8625.
 Hudson Park  Apache Blvd. on Cedar Street between Rural and McClintock. Call for info 480-350-8625. 
Esquer Park  Loop 101 and north of Apache Blvd. Call for info 480-350-8625.

CHANDLER Splashpads:
Chuparosa Park Spray Pad  2400 S. Dobson Rd.,
Desert Breeze Park Spray Animals  660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd., between Rural Rd. and McClintock Dr.
Espee Park Spray Pad  450 E. Knox, between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road.
 
Other:
Aquatic Playground Splash Pad in Glendale, Arizona is located at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road
Glendale Stadium

If I missed one of your favorite splash parks, please leave a comment so I can add to this list!

| Your Desert Momma |

Kid Swimwear Couture

Splish, Splash fun in water this Summer with some Couture Kid Swim!

DG Swim Trunks - LOVE - Very cute trunks for little couture boys!

 But BEWARE you might break the bank,

but at least be cute while you do so! :)  

Marc Jacobs Swim Trunks - Boys
Childrens Salon

And for those who has a never ending bank account...
how about these adorable swim accessories from D&G?

 Or how about a little leopard couture?

And my ALL TIME (and little less expensive) KATE MACK!

This is what you will see my little one in, love love these suits!

 

How about a mother and me suit from Marc Jacobs?

| Your Desert Momma |

"Drop and Shop" ???

This week I went into H&M to shop for a bit

with my very feisty 18 mo old.

This is how the experience went:

                  * Took escalator "rides" over a dozen times

                      so we could go, "up"..."down"..., repeat, repeat...

                  * Tried on shoes in her size, because we somehow lost

                      the ones she wore to the store. 

                  * Tried on little boy underwear as hats

                  * Took the arm off the nice little kid mannequin

---all in the matter of 10 minutes I might add! 

So I found a fabulous solution to this...

.have you ever heard of

 "Drop and Shop"?

Safari Kid Care

Me neither, until I saw a new childcare place that opened up next to Scottsdale Quarter called Safari Kids Care. It's a new concept and places are popping up, just in time for some summer shopping, dining, or maybe even "mommy nap time" :)?

The basic idea is to provide a fun, safe environment for children to play, sleep, eat or otherwise be entertained while the parents are free to shop, grab a bite to eat, see a movie or anything else that you need to get done!

Safari Kid Care

I checked out Safari Kids and it is like a wonderland for kids. You can order your kids favorite lunch or dinner for them before you leave, and go off on your marry way! LoVe It!!!

Next week, on Arizona Midday, Channel 12  there will be a segment on this, and if you tune in there will be some great DEALS!

Safari Kid Care

*If you do not live in the area, look up "drop and shop" in your area, I'm sure there is one close by. :)

| Your Desert Momma |

Safari Kid Care

Wraps, Roses, Bands - What else does a girl need?

 Have you checked out the adorable

 and "vintagy yet fresh",

 Vintage Rose Wraps?

 

They are so cute on little girls
and just as cute on adults, too!

 There are so many fun colors and patterns, love these!

You can buy them online at www.VintageRoseWraps.com or

 if you are in Arizona you can purchase at a custom dessert studio

 in town, Simply Sweets.

| Your Desert Momma |

I am LOVING the French Braid!

My lil 18mo in a wrap around french braid - LOVE

What can I say,

summer is upon us,

and it's time to cool off with a little "Hair Couture"!

I am in LOVE with the french braid these days.

I have been seeing some fabulous braids, and wanted to share some of my favorites!




My lil one again, poolside!





This is a great summer fix or

 perfect for a poolside retreat.

Not only on the little girls,

but on the ladies around town, too!   

 

 

If you love the french braid like I do, you must check out this video
on how to do the Waterfall French Braid...LOVE - LOVE - LOVE

Click on this link to watch the,

 "How to" video - Video - Waterfall French Braid

 

Happy Braiding! 

| Your Desert Momma |  

Still time to order Spring 2011 or plan your next Mustard Pie Party for the Summer!

Mustard Pie Clothing - Spring 2011

 Mustard Pie Clothing - Spring 2011

 My favorite Kid Kouture for Spring 2011!The clothes are so cute on our little divas, and they run 6mo-8yrs.



Okay, Okay....the other truth is, I think I have a shopping problem, when it comes to shopping for my little girl. I reached out to Mustard Pie to find out how to order their clothes, and next thing you know I am a Trunk Keeper for Mustard Pie in Arizona.

 If you are in Arizona, and interested in hosting your own trunk show for Mustard Pie Clothing, please let me know...you can earn some discounts or even free clothing for the items you sell! Send me a message! Happy Shopping!

To see the current Spring 2011 items available and the prices, go to the Desert Child facebook page: www.facebook.com/desertchildmag

The clothing is listed under my photos.