SWEET SUPERMAN BECOMES SPIDERMAN BECOMES BATMAN.......

This photo is one of my favorites of Koby. Amazing that this was 2 years ago already. Everyone always told me that boys will fall in love with Superheroes no matter how much you are convinced that they won't go through that stage. And wow were my friends right! At age 3 the Superman obsession begun. He loved this costume so much he would wear it during the day and sleep in it at night. The hardest part was convincing him to allow me to wash it! Then at age 4 it was Spiderman. Koby and I used to go for a dinner date every Thursday night and his special date outfit was his Spiderman mask and web making gloves. Sitting across from him chatting about his day while he was sweating under his mask and trying to pick up his grilled cheese sandwich while wearing those huge gloves always gave me a good amount of laughs. This year at age 5 Batman has become the new focus. On his 5th birthday I had hopes of what he would wear to his party but the Batman costume was Kobys vote. And now that Halloween is just a few days away Batman will be who I am trick or treating with. I can only imagine what next year will bring!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Halloween with their little ones...........

xo

Ants, kangaroos, and tigers...

I recently learned that kids can memorize words really early - as young as 12 months - by associating them with a picture. It's a different way to teach our kids than the traditional "A" is for "apple" which works when they're a little older (like 5 or 6).

So I'm testing it out - and so far Addie loves these flashcards - and definitely recognizes the animals (although no words yet). We pull them out when she's eating in her chair and essentially distract her from throwing food to the dog. I highly recommend these - very unisex designs - and beautiful patterns and artwork we can all enjoy.

Have fun!

Kim

Learn to knit...a striped cardigan! and more!

Knit Nights are officially on the calendar as a permanent fixture at Chick Pea - moms love them, we love the chatting, and most of all - we love getting emails from you after you learn to knit! Julie actually emailed and just said "Hi Kim, I love knitting! What's next?". So here's what's up in Debbie Bliss for fall (and a little ways into the New Year)...

CLASSES

November 13 Tiny Sweaters*

Learn to knit a striped sweater (sizes 0-24 months). We're starting with the little striped cardigan pictured above - a classic vneck shape that you can customize in any color you choose! You'll need to know the basic stitches (and ideally have taken the hat class first).

November 20 Open Knit Night

Open to anyone who knows the basics and is working on a project and would like support, help, and company (tiny sweater learners plan on this night as a follow up!)

December 11 Learn to Knit a Striped Hat*

Learn the basics and how to knit a striped hat (beginner, 0-24 months) and Open Knit Night together in one class for holiday enthusiasts - some learners have done 2 hats in the week following the class!!!

January 20 Baby Duvet*

Learn to knit a baby duvet in Cashmerino Aran. Aran is a heavier weight than the cashmerino we use for the hat and sweater projects - and perfect for a long, cozy, pinstriped blanket with a duvet style air pocket in the middle. This is an alternate class to learn the basics or get a refresher if you've done the hat!

January 27 Learn to Knit a Striped Hat*

Learn the basics and how to knit a striped hat (beginner, 0-24 months). This is for beginners - you'll learn to knit, purl, cast on, and cast off, and start your project.

All classes cost $10, which goes directly to our fabulous instructors and knitting experts, Donna and Marina. And there is so much interest our classes filling up fast so please email or ring us and reserve your spot at 603 525 2266! *Knit Kits with all the materials you need are available for classes with a star (now including binding needles and stitch holders!).

Join the Knit Night email list for special "knitter exclusives"!

What's new? COLORS! We have new baby cashmerino colors - celery green, raspberry, olive, wine, denim blue and black added to the mix.

Kim

Look closely and you will see...........

Look very closely inside of this dryer and you will see....................my nephew Logan. He is the silliest, happiest, fun, little guy.........always shrieking, giggling, and getting into just about everything that he can. My brother took this photo after searching the house and finding him inside of the dryer! Any parent of a little boy knows that they are the busiest creatures around, always getting into mischief!

Happy Hallowe'en!

I love Hallowe'en - it's crisp, it's time for new boots, there's lots of chocolate, and best of all we get to go to parties, dress up and decorate! Our resident spiders have taken over - and our ghostly vintage pram is back out for another stroll around the store. Note the spider dangling waiting for Sarah to walk a little closer....watch out or you'll get caught in our web too!!!

Happy Hallowe'en!!!!

Kim

Livie and Luca Leather Boots

Livie and Luca Leather London Boots are on their way to Chick Pea. We are anticipating their arrival to be Tuesday October 14th...........available in sizes 6 to 12 in both black and chocolate brown. Unisex in style and durable enough for rainy days to come............Leather in and out with thick rubber soles, with very clever hidden velcro so any little toddler can pull them on and off themselves.......... Call the store to reserve a size today 604-525-2266

Library Camouflage and Outpatient Togs

I have blogged about books before - so you know we have an addiction - and we decided to drink our fill today at the Port Moody Library. I'm always curious to see what Addie will pick out (this week was a sushi board book - yay! good taste points!). It was 2 degrees when we set out so i bundled Addie up in the new organic cotton Velour Katvig stripes. Little did i know it would be library camouflage! As she ran down the aisles she fit in like a Cheetah on the Savannah.

Little did i know we'd be in the emergency room an hour later. We went home, had a great lunch of fresh crunchy Italian bread and Tuscan ham, and then fully fueled up she proceeded to dive head first into my (gorgeous but completely child inappropriate) white leather barcelona chair. Of course the safety devices on the corners had been removed by little fingers five minutes before the accident and now i feel like i deserve the terrible mom of the year award.

So this is where we ended up. and i have to say, for outpatient gear, this little suit held up and did its job. And camouflaged the blood quite well. Alls well - a little crazy glue was all it took to shore up that little scalp wound - and I'm thankful we don't have to shave her head for Thanksgiving. I've waited long enough for the hair we've got!!!

I think she earned her stripes today.

Take care of those little ones! And do share your emergency room stories on the comments...it would make me feel much better!

Kim

xoxo

KATVIG STRIPES

Katvig Organics have arrived!!!!!!! Straight from Denmark they are simply so sweet. Bold black and cream and soft blue with red............come and choose your favorite silhoutte. We stock the following styles:Hooded Kangaroo Top, Tee shirt Dress, Boxer shorts, Long sleeved tees, Velour jackets, Velour Boiler Suits and many many pairs of socks!

Also available is the red apple print bib.

Mr.James

Can James possibly be any happier!!!!!!!!! Dancing in the store is part of his Friday ritual. James, Mackenzie and mom Ally often come for Friday morning visits and James looks at me with that silly sweet smile as he races around the store making his baby sister Mackenzie giggle.

Two and a bit..........reminds me just how busy, busy Koby was at that age. They really only stop to take a few good breaths and then they run and run and run..........until they run into something and hurt themselves and then maybe they stop again for a quick hug.

Silly, sweet James is shown above wearing.............Kartoons Katalooons Long Sleeve Dragon Tee by Sophie Catalou and Denim by Joes Jeans.

PYRRHA JEWELRY

Vancouver designers Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore are the dynamic force behind Pyrrha Jewelry.
Chick Pea is now stocking their womens collection of sterling silver seals. The pieces in the Seals line are cast from authentic 19th century wax seals. Every design has a symbolic meaning taken from family heraldry.
The necklace shown above is LOVE CONQUERS ALL. The seal reads in Latin "Omnia Vincit Amor" which means "Love Conquers All".
Come take a peak and see which is your favorite!
Stay tuned for the mens collection to arrive in the new year.

Books to Raise a Reader Right!

How do I say this...new books, new books, new books, NEW BOOKS! Cracking open a new book - especially a new fabulous book with a great cover - gives me almost a spiritual lift. And now that my daughter is reading (upside down but I think it still counts), opening a new children's book gives me almost the same high. Except better. Because I can see that same glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

So again - new books, new books, new books! We have new books. Lots of new books. Great stories. Fun books. Activity books. Monster books. And sweet books. Books for every taste. So, if you want to feel that surge, that lift, that je-ne-sais-quoi, drop in for a visit. Because we're feeling it too!!!

See you soon

Kim

xoxo

Sophie Catalou sweetness

Sophie Catalou is sooooooo very sweet. These tunics and leggings are adorable. Soft pink, with mocha and grey polka dots and ruffles with mocha leggings. Or pair the tunic with a pair of Joes Jeans and Livie and Luca Chocolate leather boots. Simply wonderful.

Now all I need is a little girl of my own................

Available in sizes 9 months to 6 years.

Introducing Revival Arts Studio

Darcie and Jason are miracle workers. With a 9-day old baby (and a mother who forgot diapers!) they managed to snap some incredibly memorable pictures, soothe the mom, rock the baby into a state of calm, feed their own two kids, and change the set about 9 times. In an hour.


So when it came time to partner with brilliant talent to help translate the essence of our newest baby - Chick Pea - into visual art of course we turned again to Revival Arts Studio. I have actually left the site open for the last half hour just to listen to their tunes. Excellent taste all round from these two!





You'll see some great new shots at the Apple Festival in the store on Sunday (or if you're tricky you'll preview the new Come play with me... photo story on our home page!).


See you on Sunday!



Kim



PS More to come on the 1st Annual Chick Pea Apple Festival - but put it on your calendar now! Sunday October 5 from 11-4 with storytime at 11, 1, and 3. Of course - sweet, juicy, delicious apples will abound!!!