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A few more random pictures from our trip…this is the last of them.

 Bar Harbor.
 Lobster cages and colorful buoys.
Wild Maine blueberries.
 Gorgeous hydrangeas everywhere.
Lots of picnics.
Lighthouses.

Lots of sightseeing and picture taking.
A few last pictures before we left.
The whole gang. We had so much fun together. I wish we lived closer.
Levi loved daddy’s buddy Nathan. In fact he hasn’t stopped talking about him since we got home. He will say “Nathan” and then list everyone else in his family. He misses them. And he will randomly yell “Stop Nathan!” and laugh. That probably came from his mama. Nathan is as ornery as Levi’s daddy…that’s why we love him…and probably why he and Joel are such good friends!
Then it was really time to go home. We drove back to Boston and flew back to Kansas. But not before a quick stop at IKEA. Oh man…I wish I would have had a bigger suitcase!
Levi slept a whole twenty minutes in the car the day we flew home. We thought for sure he’d fall asleep on the plane. He was a tired boy. But he fought it through both flights. He was so good considering the long day of traveling, but man he wore his parents out. He mostly wanted to sit on his mama’s lap…and I pretty much don’t have a lap, so that was interesting. And wouldn’t you know that the last ten minutes of our flight to Wichita, he fell asleep as we were landing. And he didn’t wake up until the next morning at ten o’clock. Silly boy.We were glad to get home after a long day, but it was such a great trip!
A few of you have asked about the house we stayed in. It is a rental, but our friends rented it so I don’t have any of the contact info. I will try to get it from them. If you are really interested send me an email.
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  • The Moffats - love all the pics, jess. good job documenting 🙂 love and hugs.ReplyCancel

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  • Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Awesome pictures! Maine looks gorgeous. And so do you! 🙂 Not too much longer before you get to meet your new little guy!ReplyCancel

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  • Majid Ali - Please for Christ sake help this poor boy from HaitiReplyCancel

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  • ellen - I heart Maine.ReplyCancel

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  • Debra @ A Frugal Friend - Oh my goodness…….I have fallen in love with maine through your pics! Thanks for sharing, it’s now on my places to go list!ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - your vacation pictures are so good! They were so fun to see – thanks for sharing with us!ReplyCancel

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  • Faith - aww isn’t it funny when they fall asleep right when you’re practically at the door step? 🙂 beautiful pics.. i esp love the sweet pic of him asleep in his stroller wrapped in a blankie. 🙂 the sweet little things… GReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Awesome…you make me want to book a trip to Maine right now. I would love the rental info if you would be willing to send it to suzannmuskie@hotmail. If not, I understand.ReplyCancel

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  • Anne - I’m glad you enjoyed my home State! If you ever return, be sure to stop in Bath and Portland….both wonderful towns with interesting shops and fabulous restaurants… There is a wonderful Children’s Museum in Portland and a Trolley Museum in Arundel (near Kennebunkport)ReplyCancel

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  • Littlest Learners - You’ve gotten me excited for our trip to Maine this weekend. Your pictures really capture the feel for the state. I went to that very same IKEA the past two weekends in a row. LOVE IT!

    ❤Jodi from…
    ★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
    Helping Teachers Get OrganizedReplyCancel

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  • Stacy - Gorgeous pictures of your trip! Levi is sure a cutie 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Kat - I love Maine. It’s just so beautiful there. I remember when I was traveling alone with my two girls, both were under the age of two at the time and the youngest one fell asleep during the last 20 minutes as well. They fight it and fight it and then they are completely zonked out!ReplyCancel

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  • Nicola - Hi there! My name is Nicola, i’m 17 and from England

    I came across your blog today (as a fellow mummy-blogger, I like to read other blogs. I saw a link to your blog on the Logan Laughs blog.

    I had a quick read through your archives and learnt you had lost your baby girl. I lost my baby girl, Taylor, when she was 1 year old. She would have turned three this November. It has been hard for me to let go over the past three 2 years.

    I found your blog, and you inspire me with how you can write about your little girl, that is something I cannot bring myself to do.

    Thank you, is all I can say, for giving me the hope that someday I will think about my little girl and be happy rather then angry!

    You have a new blog ready over here.

    Nicola.ReplyCancel

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  • Majid Ali - Please for Christ sake help this poor boy from HaitiReplyCancel

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  • Stef - I’m SO glad you posted a lighthouse picture!! They’re my favorite and I’ve heard Maine has the most amazing ones.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Thanks for sharing Jess. Michelle from Australia 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • The Sieberts - great pics! i want to go…Maine is SO beautiful!ReplyCancel

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  • Jenni Lynn - What a beautiful place! Looks like it was a great get-a-way while you were pregnant! Now I want to go!ReplyCancel

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  • Prissypants - Love your pics!! Look like postcard pics!ReplyCancel

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 There was one spot along the bay that you could see starfish when the tide was out. We went one day but the tide was too high, so we went back a second time hoping to spot some starfish. And we did!
 There were tons of them hiding among the rocks. We thought Levi would think they were so cool.
 He wasn’t too sure. He would touch them…
 and hold them very reluctantly for about one second. Then he would drop the poor starfish back into the water and move onto other things like climbing on rocks.

It probably didn’t help that he was in a particularly grouchy mood that day. He had to sit with his daddy and have a little talk. Oh my. This parenting and discipline stuff is hard work. The past few weeks Levi has been showing us a new side of himself. The word “no” and a lot of whining has been frequently heard around here. It is like he knows that something is about to change in his world of full attention from mom and dad! 🙂 We, of course, still love him to pieces…whining and all. And I think that sometimes God uses those tough parenting days to teach us just as much as we are trying to teach little Levi.
Happy Monday!
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  • songskatesang - Bless your heart! I remember that stage all too well 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Susy M. - How can you not love that face. Kids know. They can sense change more than us adults. Bless you all.ReplyCancel

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  • KristinGheen - I LOVE your pictures! I grew up in New Jersey but managed to never visit Maine. That seriously needs to change right away!

    Discipline is a toughie…Praying you have all the energy and wisdom you need in those moments! It seems to require a supernatural amount at times. 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - I know right what you mean. I always tell mine it’s a good thing they are adorable to me 🙂 HEE!
    Blessings from God no matter what though, I know you feel just as I do!ReplyCancel

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  • Melissa - Tell me about it!! My girl and I have many talks. She screamed so loud at a birthday party because I told her “no” for something that I was sweating bullets at the end and she was covered in tears and snot. It was lovely. :o)ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - Love all the pictures again! Not too long ago my little man’s favorite word was no and we had some major battle of wills. Thankfully he seems to be past that phase and now we only have those “issues” every once in a while. Hopefully both our boys will adjust well and cooperate wonderfully once they have new little brothers at home. A girl can hope! =)ReplyCancel

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  • Megan - Oh my word can I relate. My little guy is about 2 months younger than Levi and this whining and no stuff has begun in full force! Today was a day spent in many tears – both for me and for Bennett! I feel like overnight we’ve turned the corner into full-blown toddlerhood and starting to figure out the discipline method that will work for us.
    We have Baby #2 arriving in early Jan so in some ways, I’m glad that we are dealing with this now rather than in a few more months when I’m super tired and emotionally spent.
    Will be praying for much wisdom for you guys!ReplyCancel

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  • Sara - This trip looks like it was so much fun! I would love the cooler temps for sure.

    We are in the same season with my little one and their are some days I just want to ask where did my sweet little boy go?!

    I am told it is just a phase but oh my, what a phase at times!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - Love the starfish, and the pictures of Levi getting to experience them.
    Discipline is so tough, not a fun part of being a mama 🙁ReplyCancel

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  • Starla - I have a 19 month old son, who out of nowhere started saying “no” for everything. It seems to be his favorite word. And the whining…he whines every time he doesn’t get his way. We are really working with him; takes patience! Best of luck. I love following your blog because our son’s are so close in age and it makes me feel better that I’m not the only one going through these things, haha!ReplyCancel

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  • ABS - I just saw all of your Maine posts and I just love them! I grew up going to Bar Harbor and Acadia every summer of my life until I was 22 and it is such a magical place for me. So many of my childhood memories are in Maine and I cannot wait to show it to my kids someday – we are hoping to reinstate our family tradition this year. Cheers to a new generation eating Ben and Bills, getting lost in a book at Sherman’s and making memories in such a wonderful place!ReplyCancel

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  • Jody - I tried putting my almost 2 year old niece on timeout today. She just laughed at me (:ReplyCancel

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  • melissa - Those days are rough! My boys are 26th months apart. They are now 8 and 10, and I miss those days 🙂 I never thought I would say that 8 years ago!! Can you send me an email about the house you rented? We are planning a trip to Maine next July, and I love, love that house 🙂

    Melissa
    the4morans@aol.comReplyCancel

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  • HeatherS - Oh dear! It is only just beginning for you! 🙂 But yes, my girls were 1.5 years apart and I remember thinking my oldest “knew” her alone time with us was about up. And she was no fool – you can get away with a lot when mama is carrying an extra 25 pounds around! She doesn’t move to fast! You’re going to LOVE having these little boys so close together though! Blessings!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - Yep, today is my birthday and I had the most discipline issues with my 3 boys–today, of all days. Thanks for the reminder of God using these discipline moments to teach me as well. After lunch we prayed for Him to redeem our day and He did. Great is His Faithfulness!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Thanks for posting all your pics Jess! I loved seeing how your trip went! It looks like it was so much fun… makes me want to go to Maine! Hope you are feeling good! AndiReplyCancel

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  • gaylemiller - What a great picture of them talking!! Think about how many talks they are going to have together about life!!ReplyCancel

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  • Julie - Love, love, love that last picture. That is pretty much the story of our lives right now, we have a 2 1/2 year old son and a 7 month old daughter. Reed is always having those talsk with either me or his daddy. I have to admit that it’s hard, but I go to bed SO thankful every.single.night!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - ur pregnancy pictures are interest famous!ReplyCancel

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  • TimandCeri - Oh Jess, Those are great pictures! He is just so sweet! I feel your frustration about pushing the limit. This too shall pass….. (some day?) My son is 3 and it’s pretty tough some days. We started when he was young with a notty spot. (Circle rug from ikea) He sure is not a fan of time out. He gets a warning and then next time it’s time out. We always end with a chat, I’m sorry and hugs and kisses. I stole it from supper nanny. And it has worked pretty well for us. There is also a book called Love and Logic I have heard lots of good things about. Good luck. And He is such a handsome fella!ReplyCancel

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  • Tara - boy, oh boy can i feel your pain. i wrote a post a while back about this … http://dustinandtara.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-sunday.html … and i’m still begging Him to show me the way.

    i love your vacation pics! maine looks beautiful!ReplyCancel

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  • DianeTaylor - Hi Jess – I am loving all these Maine pics, I miss the NE weather (well, maybe the SUMMER weather….lol) and Maine’s beautiful beaches. My sister and I spent alot of time with our kids at York Beach – such great memories. We loved to look at starfish too! Hope you are feeling good – not too long before you become a family of 4 :):) So excited for you guys.

    Take care, have a good Wednesday!

    ~dt~ReplyCancel

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There was one natural sand beach in Acadia National Park. We decided to check it out on one of our first “outings”. It was really overcast and a little chilly that day, so the beach wasn’t very full.
One half of the beach was completely empty so there was plenty of room for the kids to run around and play. As you can see we didn’t really know what to expect and weren’t dressed for a day at the beach.
Levi and Ivy became fast friends. She was always looking out for him and he was always giving her hugs. So cute.
I wasn’t sure if Levi would like the beach. He hasn’t been a big fan of swimming this summer. But he loved it. He loved running into the waves and then back onto the sand. Back and forth. Back and forth.
I always had to keep a good grip on him because he was getting too brave. He watched with me and just let the water touch our feet for a little bit…
…and then he figured out his dad was much more fun. 
There was lots of splashing and laughing.
And by the end he was soaking wet and covered in sand.
We had to get a few family pictures before we left. Our friends and their three sweet kiddos.
This was the best smile we could get out of our beach-lovin’ guy.
We were planning on doing some more exploring in the park for the rest of the day, so we did our best to wash the kids off. The boys were the dirtiest of course.
And then we decided Levi was just too dirty. Thankfully we had been smart enough to at least bring a change of clothes.
A couple days later we went back to the sand beach on a sunny day. It was the warmest day while we were there and the beach was packed. In fact our friend Nathan was getting a little hot and claustrophobic. Apparently he doesn’t do well with heat mild, beautiful weather or crowds.
This time we were more prepared and brought swimming suits. (Did you notice that even on the warmest day I still was wearing a long sleeve shirt? So nice.)
The kids loved playing in the sand…they wouldn’t even look up for a picture.
And one more try for a picture of the three of us. When we were washing Levi off on this day a blog reader from New Jersey stopped me to say hi. It was so nice to meet her. She was in Maine vacationing with her family too. (Hi Melinda!) 
Wow. I took way too many pictures on this trip. I have a few more to post…you can just skip over these posts and check back in a few days if you have had enough! 🙂
Hope you are having a good weekend!

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  • Stacy - Looks like a great trip with Beautiful weather!!!! So nice to get cooler weather during the summer months.ReplyCancel

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  • Stef - Jess, your tummy looks so cute! I can’t wait to see pics of that boy 🙂
    Loved all these Maine pictures! I wanna go!ReplyCancel

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  • Toni :O) - Such a beautiful family and it looks like you just had the best time! Awesome baby bump too, can’t wait to see the little guy-you are absolutely glowing Jess, just wonderful! :0)ReplyCancel

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  • Davene Grace - No such thing as too many pictures! I’m lovin’ all of them! 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Karie - I have loved reading about your Maine vacation. We would like to visit someday.

    Off topic, I’ve been lurking here for awhile…I have a son born just a few days after Levi, so I’ve enjoyed seeing another little boy and momma go through the same stages we are going through 🙂 Anyway, so I’ve been reading a while. Last night I was out on a date with my husband (in Wichita) and saw your sister. I almost went up to her and said “Hi, I read your sister’s blog”, but decided that might be weird and a little creepy for her 🙂 It’s funny how the blog world can make perfect strangers feel like friends.ReplyCancel

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  • Melinda - Looks like you guys had a beautiful trip! Maine has always been on my list of places I want to visit, and seeing your posts about it has made me want to go even more 🙂 Looking forward to seeing the rest!ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - Love all of your pictures. Levi is SOOOO cute in all of these, as always!!
    I have never been to Maine & these pic’s let us all see how beautiful it is! What a great trip.ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - I’ve enjoyed seeing all the pictures of your sweet family, plus a beautiful place I’ve never been to. =)ReplyCancel

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  • This Farm Family's Life - I am loving all the vacation pix. Keep em coming!ReplyCancel

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  • Kelly Ford - I’m so JEALOUS of your long sleeve shirt… i’m so looking forward to fall here in GA!

    And you can NEVER have to many pics… or share too many for that matter!

    Do you use your iphone for all these pics or do you have another camera that you use? And if so, what is it? And have you ever taken any photography classes? I love all your pics!ReplyCancel

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  • Happiness Is... - I am dying to go to Maine – looks gorgeous! Your pictures are stunning. I love the one of the 3 of you on the gloomier day. And the one of the kiddos on the sunny day.ReplyCancel

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  • Sharon - Jess, I have enjoyed seeing your Maine pictures. Looks like a fun time and gorgeous weather. The scenery is so pretty there. Love the last picture of the three of you!ReplyCancel

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  • Mum2twopreciousgifts - I’m loving the holiday pics and stories. Please keep them coming. Praying for good health for you all. Michelle from Australia.ReplyCancel

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  • Hope - It was great seeing these photos because my husband proposed to me in Bar Harbor. It’s one of our favorite places!ReplyCancel

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  • TimandCeri - what great trip. We took our 3 year old to the ocean this summer. Oh my he had SO much fun running back and forth in the water. What a precious memory.ReplyCancel

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  • Country Roads - I love reading about your time and Maine and the frosting on the cake is the wonderful pictures you have included. Thanks for sharing. Glad you had a wonderful get-away!!ReplyCancel

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  • Sher - I just LOVE that you ran into a blog reader while on va-ca. Maybe I’ll see you in Minnesota some day . . . we do have an IKEA after all! 😉ReplyCancel

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When Cora was born I kinda went crazy over the girl shoes. There were so many. And they were all so cute. And usually you could find them for pretty cheap…which just made me want to buy more.

Boy shoes are a little different. It seems harder to find cute shoes. And they can be expensive!! It is hard for me to want to spend $40 on a pair of shoes for myself, let alone spend that much on shoes that Levi will soon grow out of.

So, this morning I was so excited when I came across this deal from Plum District. Have you heard of them? Today at Plum District you can spend $20 for a $40 credit to Tiny Soles. This was my first deal from Plum District, so I also got a $5 credit. That means I bought two $40 credits for $35 (you can buy one for yourself and one as a gift) and now I have $80 to spend on shoes for my boys. Awesome.

Tiny Soles carries brands like Stride Rite, Pediped, Robeez, and Keen. I have ordered from them before and was really happy with their service. Here are some of my favorites:

If you are needing some shoes for your kiddos, go snag your own deal here.

What are your favorite boy shoes right now??

Disclosure: referral link used

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  • Megan - Timmy is kind of lacking in the shoe department but he rarely wears them! I need to get on that. When he was smaller he had some of the Target brand Robeez style shoes that I LOVED.

    Right now he wears some Old Navy flip flops and some little velcro sandals from Target.

    I was drooling over some little Converse at Target too but I was too cheap. Ended up finding some like them at Childrens Place for $5…and yesterday I was at Goodwill and they had a whole RACK of Target castoffs. Little mini converse. I snagged some blue tie dye ones. When I got home I realized they were a 9 not a 6 😐 Oops! They will fit some day 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Brittany - I have 2 little boys and I love ALL the shoes you mentioned!! 🙂

    I also love See Kai Run! Very cute also…ReplyCancel

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  • Hollie - Thanks for sharing this! I went over and bought 2 vouchers also! I found a 10% coupon code on their FB page as well! And many of the shoes had free shipping! I am so glad I saw your post before the deal expired! Yay to cute boys and cute shoes! I love Livie and Luca for my sweet boy because his feet are so wide!ReplyCancel

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  • Immeasurably More Mama - I have always loved pedipeds and both of my boys have worn them. 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Sher - Canadian slippers for the babes in my life – boys & girls! They stay on and actually look better when you wash them!

    http://padraigcottage.com/ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - I have two boys 4 and 2 and I have spent a lot on shoes, but it has been SO worth it. I LOVE Pedipeds (they last for at LEAST 6 months and look great for #2), Keens, and Stride Rite. My younger son is in physical therapy and one brand you should AVOID b/c they are terrible for your kids developing feet are Crocs. I know everyone loves them, but they are really bad! I personally think the investment is worth them walking well and not having hip and back problems later on. Just my two cents! Happy shopping!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - I’ve got a 17-month old boy and know what you mean about boys shoes! You HAVE to check out the See Kai Run’s… that’s all he wears now! They are so cute and comfy for my little guy! Expensive, so I try to stock up when I see deals like this one! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - The Keen brand of shoes are great! The little girl I nanny for (she’s almost 2) has been wearing them since she learned to walk. They don’t slip off and are easy to clean- you just throw them in the washing machine.ReplyCancel

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  • Krystal - I’m kind of boring in the shoe department for everyone in my family. I have too big of feet to be into shoes for myself, and my husband doesn’t really care. My 4 year old wears a lot of Old Navy flip flops in the summer. He has had a couple pairs of Converse Chuck Taylor high tops and I think they’re absolutely adorable on him. The first pair I got him, I bought because he was at that 18 month-2 year old stage where he wouldn’t leave his shoes on and it drove me nuts! With the tie-on high tops, I didn’t have to worry about it, because he wasn’t getting those suckers off! lol All that to say, I don’t spend a lot on shoes, but mostly on clothes!ReplyCancel

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  • Lindsey - My boy has chubby little feet–He’s sporting Keen & Stride Rite this summer!!ReplyCancel

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  • Meghan - Our baby boy is only 6 months so up until now shoes are just a fashion statement and don’t serve much of a purpose otherwise. For looks though I love little vans and Toms. But I haven’t given in to buy any yet. They’re just too expensive!ReplyCancel

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  • JESSICA - Adidas Snice for my toddlers!
    We bought our middle son a pair for his 2nd birthday, and loved them so much, we bought him another pair 6 months later when he outgrew the first ones. Then for his 3rd birthday (on January 2nd like Levi), we went to buy them again only to realize they didn’t make them in his size any longer. His feet had gotten too big. We ended up buying my daughter, who is a year younger, some in the girly colors.

    I got SO many compliments on their shoes. They are bright and fun. They both loved wearing them. They were soft and easy to put on, and I felt like they supported their feet as well as the Stride Rite sneakers we usually buy.

    I am a definite shoe snob for my kiddos as I think it’s important for them to have good shoes, (I try to find the best deals possible by combining coupons, retail me not, etc.) and these shoes did not let me down.ReplyCancel

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  • sassy - we love DC”s our neighbor owns a local store and gives us a great deal! (they are cool teen shoes in Canada!)ReplyCancel

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  • Maria - I got a good deal on some Rileyroos from Shoebuy.com! They are good shoes and fit my boys Fred Flinstone feet:)ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Check out 6pm.com for children’s shoes! They carry a lot of great quality brands (Keen, Robeez, etc) at a discounted price. I find a lot of my children’s shoes there.ReplyCancel

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From the backyard this little sign pointed you to the stairs that led down to the shore of Frenchmen’s Bay. 
Our friends brought along their kayaks. We had lots of fun playing on that little rocky shore.
The water was cold. Joel said about 50 degrees probably. Just putting my feet in was cold enough for me.
When the tide was out, you could see tons of this seaweed-y stuff.
The boys ventured out in the kayaks.
Levi {to his dismay} had to stay behind with his mama and watch.
And then his mama even made him go take a nap while everyone else had fun.
But later on when dad came back he got to pretend he was kayaking.
And that seemed to be good enough.
He loved the rocks and the water. You had to keep a close eye on this speedy little guy.
And he loved watching everything that was going on.
After a day at the shore we headed back up the stairs to the house.
The worst part was always having to go back inside.
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