Cheers! Today, we're celebrating National Ice Cream Day and our recent feature over on Mini Style!! We are so honored and thrilled. Special thanks to all the shop owners who contributed.

Photography: Pirouette Photography  

Weathered Brown Moccasins: Freshly Picked   

Organic Knotted Geo Feather Headband: The Minted Moose

Girl’s Cotton Dress with Geo Print Detail: Swallow’s Return

Long Sleeve B&W Abstract Stripes: Brimila Baby

While I haven't quite recuperated from all the festivities in June, I'm ready to kick off the month of July with the latest product I've been working on. These double-sided Chubby Cheeks Personalized Placemats hold a bit of a special place in my heart. Before putting them up in the shop, I wanted to test them out for myself. Of course, who better to help me with this task than my very own chubby cheeks. After all, she is the inspiration behind them.  

The placemats are heavy-duty and easily wipes clean with a damp cloth which saves a lot of time for this busy mama. It's generous size of 11 1/2" x 17 1/2" keeps messes at bay during meals and arts and craft time. While I love that it helps keep surfaces clean during these activities, it doesn't come close to why I am so excited about them. I wanted the placemats to also serve as an educational tool. Each placemat is sealed with heavy-duty laminate and allows for the child to use a dry erase marker* to practice writing their name on one side and the letters of the alphabet and a few key words on the other. 

For the past 5 months, about 1-2 times a week (some times none, depending if she's interested) we would sit down for a few minutes a day and go over her full name and the letters of the alphabet. I'd cup her hand in mine, trace and say the letters out loud. One day, she had taken it out to play while I was in the kitchen preparing lunch and I heard her spell out her last name. I kid you not, I dropped everything I was doing including my jaw as I looked over to where she was sitting in disbelief. It really made all the late nights designing and redesigning the placemats all worth it to have experienced that moment. At 21 months, she was able to spell her last name and recognize a few letters of the alphabet. By 23 months, she could spell her first and last name as well as verbalize most of the letters of the alphabet.

I couldn't be more excited about these placemats and I hope you'll love them just as much as we do. To celebrate, I'm offering 20% off with code MATLOVE20 until Sunday, July 12th, 2015. Head on over to the shop to see the full collection. I'd love to know which ones are your favorite.

*Dry erase marker is not included in the order of the placemats. However, one of our favorites to use is the Wipe-Off Markers from Trend Enterprises. They are non-toxic and long-lasting. They come in a pack of 4 and are available in standard and bright colors. 

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Headband: Miss Giggle Buns

I get it, life is hectic and we've got a million things on our to do list. Most of us barely have time to reply to emails, let alone sit down with our kids to write a thank you card but the simple act of doing this will not only have an impact on the recipient but your child as well. Children who are grateful tend to do better in school, complain less and are generally more satisfied with their life. It also teaches them empathy and compassion. 

While it's nice to receive a thank you sentiment whether verbally or in written form, the giver should never expect it in return for something done out of kindness. However, it sure makes a difference when gratitude is shown. We've always made sure to teach our baby girl to sign or say thank you when someone shows her kindness. And writing thank you cards, though she may not understand it completely at this stage, is something we feel is important to get her in the habit of doing regardless of how old she is. It is never too early to teach your child about generosity and appreciating the kindness of others.

While there are many ways to help children live a life of gratitude, I am just going to touch on sending handwritten thank you notes in this post. At this age, our 2 year old obviously can't write the note herself but she does sign her name with some help and adds her own little touch whether that be applying stickers, making a mark with a rubber stamp, tracing her hand (one of her favs), and/or coloring on the card. We also take the time to explain to her when she's signing each card who it is for and what we're thanking them for so it's not just another piece of paper she is doodling on. If it is a tangible gift, we take it out as a visual reminder and say, for example, "We are thanking grandma and grandpa for these books with this thank you card." When possible, we have her hand deliver the cards so she understands what happens to them after it's signed and sealed and, of course, it makes it a little more special for the recipient.

Albeit it takes a bit of time on our part as parents to do all this, it is one of the best gifts you can give your child. By setting good habits and role modeling appreciativeness towards others, you not only help them cultivate an attitude of gratitude but they will begin to see what a blessing it is to those on the receiving end. 

What are some ways you teach your child(ren) to show gratitude in their daily lives? 

Want a free thank you card printable to get you started on showing your appreciation?  Simply sign up for our mailing list located on the upper right-hand corner of our site and an instant download will be sent to you. If you are already a subscriber but did not receive your free printable, simply leave a comment and include the email address you subscribed with in the designated field (note, your email will only be visible to us) and we'll send one right over to you.

Excited to share The Little Rascals Stylized Shoot I designed and styled was featured on 100 Layer Cakelet! Thanks to all the talented shop owners who contributed and made the shoot a success.

Photography: Pirouette Photography

Artisanal Popsicles: Si Paletas

Red Chambray Bow Tie: Little Mr.

Vintage Style Swing Dress: Robincrafts

Wool Scally Cap and B&W Organic Bamboo Beanie: One Hip Kid

Heartbreaker Tee: Sweet Tees Shop 

Red Bandana Turban Headband: Miss Giggle Buns