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Dinosaur Rain Boots or Robot Snowshoes? Your Choice

Local mom finds just what she needs at Manhattan Beach's Children's Orchard.

I have a boy, so it's not terribly complicated when it comes to buying him clothes. The unambiguous manner in which boys’ clothes are presented is so refreshing compared to the melange of girls’ clothing and accessories.

I never know what to buy for girls. The last clothing gift I got a girl was a Flashdance sweatshirt top from Tori Spelling's Little Maven clothing line. I loved it. The little girl hated it.

Smith could care less about fashion (the apple fell right under the tree). I remember wanting to wear only jelly shoes and 30 jelly bracelets for a large portion of my childhood. Jelly everything. And the more bedazzling, the better. But Smith? Hold the glitter, please.

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I do buy clothes for Smith when the mood strikes, or actually when the season strikes. After my summer seersucker spree, I went on a winter wool and cords spree.

Shoes? For a while I was buying them all the time, and then I realized he was outgrowing them before he could break them in. Now we stick to two pairs in his current size and bully if they don't match the outfit. 

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We are planning a trip to the mountains this weekend, and I realized Smith's current snowsuit did not fit him. Smith is 2, so one would think 2T would fit him. It would... if it were husky! The little man has a bit of chub left from his baby fat days, and I'm sure that it would melt off during one of his impromptu dances (can you imagine how thin we would all be if we stopped and danced every time we heard music?).

Anyway, we needed a new snowsuit and we needed it toot sweet. I also did not want to spend a lot of money on something that he may only wear a few times. If I made Smith walk around Redondo Beach in a snowsuit on a typical day, I would probably get a call from child service.

Interestingly enough, I had recently met a lady named Cindy, who is one of the owners of Children's Orchard in Manhattan Beach.  

Children's Orchard is America's leading re-saler of children's clothing, toys, accessories and furniture. I was so close to paying way too much online to have something shipped by the weekend before I remembered Cindy telling me they had everything I could think of at the store. And, I could bring in Smith's old snowsuit that he had never actually worn, for resale.

I called Children's Orchard and spoke with Carrie, Cindy's twin sister. She was very helpful and said they had an LL Bean snowsuit in 3T (we can roll the sleeves and legs... just as long as it zips!). Smith and I loaded up in the car and headed to Children's Orchard, and I'm so glad we did. The baby gate at the both doors was such a relief. No worrying about my son running into the street while I pick out clothes?! I didn't know what to do with myself.  

Not only is it toddler-proofed, it has a toy area that Smith LOVED. He stayed there the whole time while I shopped. I didn't know what to do with myself (happens often) as I had so much time on my hands (happens never). I wasn't a grouchy parent barking at her toddler to stop hiding underneath the racks or to stop touching things.  He could touch EVERYTHING.

The snowsuit fit wonderfully, and we also found a pair of snow boots to match. I bought some great books for a few bucks, a few shirts, a pair of jeans, a scarf, and another jacket for a song. Plus, I got $14 store credit for the snowsuit. It wasn't until I started browsing through the toys that I realized I needed to call it a day. But y'all... I was so happy, I called my entire family to tell them about it. Joe (darling husband) didn't answer his phone all day so he got a series of excited messages in the beginning that spiraled into "Where are you? What if this were an emergency?!"  

Anyway, I was so excited about my finds that I couldn't wait to write this article and spread the word that the Manhattan Beach Children's Orchard is a great place to shop with your toddler. It's easy, inexpensive, green, and fun. You can find tons of name brand clothing (not just Gap, I'm talking True Religion) for much less than you would pay at a store. They also carry an adorable raincoat collection, complete with boots and an umbrella. Smith wanted the dinosaur rain boots, but I bought the robot snowshoes instead (so this is my life now...).

Maybe I'm the last mommy in Redondo Beach to discover this place (I did buy jeggings juuust as they went out of style). But if you have yet to discover the Children's Orchard, try it out. It will save you the urge to have a cocktail in the middle of a crowded mall. 

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