top of page

Updated: Nov 9, 2020




First birthday for us mothers have turned into such a big thing-and that's ok! But for moms like me it can be all encompassing and drain the fun out of it. I wanted Miles to have a special birthday. A meaningful birthday, that would be fun for everyone. He loves his brother, unfortunately, in his short year of life most of it has been in quarantine so it limits his interactions with others, however, he has developed a great bond with his family outside of Tampa (virtually) and my best friend's children, as well. His brother and bestie, Etta attended his birthday and he seemed happier than ever. Grandma made an appearance which is always life-changing. And of course, the first encounter with cake...ahhhh always crazy but SO FUN!



Here are my tips for throwing a child/toddler's virtual/in-person party:




  1. Set up a ZOOM for friends to watch the cake smashing and for HBD song

  2. Pick a theme and color scheme

  3. All the balloons (order an amazon arch and get a small helium tank)

  4. Make a cute High Chair banner and several other DIY banners for the decor (will upload a how-to)

  5. Use fabric and beaded garland from home to drape

  6. Wood accents are fun

  7. Use Florals for height on tables

  8. Make a book signing area

  9. Make a kids play area with toys/tents and fun books

  10. Make an adult area for food and drinks (a necessity)

  11. A "photo area" is nice for the birthday boy/girl and guests

  12. Order the cake-for 1st bdays the SMASH cake is free at most places (Publix included)

  13. Have an outdoor area for fun/eating

  14. Use plastic table coverings and washable fabric

  15. Put up fun pics of the bday boy/girl

  16. And remember all the balloons and cake possible! It will be a success!






Shop our @LiketoKnowI for all the Birthday Goodies that we used for our Superhero Miles' First Birthday!


These two Superheros are going to SAVE the WORLD...so stay tuned. Thanks for following along on our journey.

85 views0 comments

2020, enough said right!?!? We have all been tested, isolated, confused and sad. We've all come to that place when life brings you to your knees (as one of my good friends always says). She used to tell me when I continuously asked why others seemed to have the perfect life. She would always respond with that phrase, life will bring them to their knees at some point and they will prevail. Well, if there was a year to bring us all to our knees praying for hope, for strength for perseverance, it's 2020! I've been humbled, challenged and tested to the very max, but guess what guys, I'm still HERE and stronger than ever! I'm standing, surviving and fighting for my son, my students and for my family. It's not pretty, it's not all smiles and giggles, however, we've had beautiful moments within the chaos, isolation and sadness. Those moments I make a conscious attempt to store in my "good moments file", in my mind. Well, and I take lots of picture and videos to the tune of 25,128 pictures and 1,112 videos, I mean it is 2020, the era of all the technology you could ever imagine. We are pretty close to the Jetsons...ok, so that's another post, but still very relevant.



We are approaching Miles' 1st birthday (this is not published on time so we are now after his birthday, but it's still relevant now) and he has reached so many mini-milestones, but I also can't help but feel a bit sad that he is still behind. I could write all the things he CAN'T do, but I won't, I refuse. For any parents out there of typical kids, you know the anxiety that surrounds the milestone checklist doctor visit. It's palpable and now imagine your child has any issues, delays, or "things to monitor". The celebration of being ONE becomes a high-stakes try-out, where you are praying, wishing and coming to the appointment with all the necessary papers/pics/videos to prove that your child can do some of these skills on the checklist. Just some...not all, just enough to not check, 'not yet' down the four pages of milestones lists. I make sure he naps and he is well-fed just so he can "perform," often to leave feeling defeated. This time I have prepared. I will NOT fill out a milestone checklist sheet and I will come will a list of the things Miles CAN DO, which is a plethora of things, mostly for being on this Earth for only one year. Which leads me to this...he is of the age where adaptive equipment is necessary. Of course, I want him to have the equipment. I want him to thrive. I advocated for him to have it, and even put the pieces as the only items on his "gift list." We were thankful enough to have received enough funds to purchase his adaptive chair, a brand new (more appropriate) high chair and a stander. He has already shown progress in the short time we have had two of the pieces of equipment, but those who have been following along-are you surprised? In true Mighty Miles fashion, he was one of the only children to smile and giggle when placed into the stander! He is truly unique in every way, they prepared us for tears and he showed us strength and happiness! It may be a "tough pill to swallow" to see your baby in adaptive equipment, but I'll take it all for that sweet smile and giggle.




I've known families that have children needing helmets, braces, wheelchairs, walkers and I have never looked at their child and thought any differently. I think if you asked anyone they would say that I was drawn to children with differences or unique abilities, because I could identify with it. I have taught many students with IEP's or 504's, because they have different needs. I have struggled with ADHD, anxiety and perfectionism, this is a challenge but it also was something that made me high achieving, unique and different. So, I really did something incredible and CHANGED the perspective, re-wrote the narrative for myself. I looked at these pieces of equipment as something that was going to make him achieve a different set of skills than another child. The adaptive equipment will be the catalyst in helping him achieve something GREAT, no different than the medicine, behavior therapy that I had that helped me focus! All of these helpful tools help us reach our goals. Our path may be unique, but it will lead us somewhere great. He already has inspired many of my families and friends with his progress and positive spirit and attitude! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! Mighty Miles is going to change the world, one perspective at a time.


Stay tuned for all the tips for throwing a Virtual Kiddo's Birthday! :)

74 views0 comments

This sale is a great way to buy timeless, designer items for Fall at a discount. Our pieces from this sale have lasted us for several years. Many items will sell out, however, they will often restock so keep checking back. Set those alarms if you are a cardholder, access begins tomorrow 9:30 AM (ET) and 6:30 AM (PT)!

|shop above items here|

 

We've been shopping the Anniversary Sale for many years and here are some of our quick tips to get the best bang for your buck:

  1. Become a cardholder

  2. Use your wish list (items sell out quickly) but they will re-stock hot items often

  3. Take an inventory of what you need most to guide your search

  4. Limit trendy items/go for timeless pieces

  5. A great pair of jeans (AG/Rag and Bone or Paige jeans are the brands that we gravitate towards)

  6. A great Fall hat-versatile color

  7. A few pairs of good booties

  8. One/two pair of flats or work appropriate shoes

  9. A couple great cardigans that can double as athleisure or work-wear

  10. One quality great necklace/watch that can be layered with trendy pieces

  11. A few high end make-up and hair items that you need (your hair and face should have the BEST products on them)

  12. A jacket-I live in Florida so I go for the lightest option

Here are some idea boards:

(shop above items here)



shop left photo here | shop middle photo here | shop right photo here



Timeless Items from previous sales:


Previous sale items: 1st Pic (Hat and Dress), 2nd Pic Booties (have in three different colors) and hat, 3rd Pic AG Jeans and Wedges



28 views0 comments
bottom of page