Contest Alert | WIN $250 in Peekaboo Beans Play Money!

It's been a while since we have hosted another fabulous opportunity for one of our VIPBs to WIN some Peekaboo Beans Play Money!  So why not today?  Seems like a good day to do it right?  We want to see your happy Beans playing, jumping, singing, dancing, skipping, hopping or whatever it is that they do best, while wearing their favourite Peekaboo Beans or CiCi Bean outfit! Go ahead and post your photos to either our Facebook Page, Instagram or Twitter and don't forget to use our special hashtag... #PBbacktoschool.  (Please note: You won't be entered in the contest unless you use the hashtag) 

So get playing and post those photos this weekend to be entered to WIN $250 in Peekaboo Beans Play Money. Happy Friday Bean Lovers and remember to play this weekend!  

Tiny print:  Contest ends September 4th, 2014 at 10pm PST. Winner will be drawn at random to win $250 in Peekaboo Beans Play Money. Limit up to 5 entries per person. Winner will be announced in our BeansTalk newsletter on September 5th, 2014. Peekaboo Beans Play Stylists and staff are excluded from this contest.

Anatomy of a Look Book

In addition to our quarterly catalogues, we recently began publishing monthly Lookbooks to showcase our products in fun, playful environments with some really awesome kids! The experience has truly been blast and we've received such great feedback on the new lookbooks that we thought we'd give you, our VIPB's, a insiders peek into the creation of our latest Back-To-School LookBook!

Super Beans - Cohen's Story

My name is Tammy, and I'm a mom of 3 boys. Cohen is our youngest and previously healthy son.  On August 20, 2012 he was admitted to the Stollery emergency with a high fever, vomiting, severe lethargy and 2 different types of rashes.  We thought he had the symptoms of meningitis, but it was a severe blood infection.

By the late evening of August 22, 2012, Cohen was admitted to the PICU.  We were told that Cohen had suffered 8-10 strokes and the infection was further attacking his heart.  August 23, 2012 was the day our little Cohen had open heart, by-pass surgery.  And it was a success.  The surgical team was able to take off the growth, but they needed to replace one of Cohen's heart valves as it was severely damaged by the bacteria.  Cohen will have to have at least 2 other heart surgeries as he continues to grow to replace the valve.  As Cohen started his recovery in the Cardiac section of the PICU, he seemed to be improving.  He was still on many IV antibiotics and drugs, but he had started speaking again and had about 8-10 words before he was moved to the ward and out of PICU.  

I'll never forget the night of September 7, 2012.  The Rapid Response Team took Cohen back to PICU.  Cohen had had an aneurysm and his head was swelling from cerebral spinal fluid, still another aftermath of the blood infection.  Cohen had a tube inserted into his brain to drain this fluid and relieve the pressure.  He had also suffered seizures.  Soon after, doctors sent Cohen in for an angiogram and glue was inserted into his head to hold the aneurysm in place to prevent further brain damage.  The aneurysm burst under the pressure of the glue, but the glue held the clot in place.

Just as this seemed to have been brought under control, Cohen then developed vasculitis and was put on high doses of steroids.  This seemed to have cleared up so Cohen was taken again for another angiogram to get a better look at his vessels and arteries.  We never thought he'd have an allergic reaction to the angiogram dye, especially since he's already been exposed to this only a week before.  Cohen had an anaphylactoid reaction.  Another completely unexpected and horrific event.  His run of “very bad luck” never seemed to end and he couldn’t catch a break.

Throughout this second stay in PICU, we still weren't sure how Cohen's vision was affected and what exactly he could see.  We knew his right side was severely affected by his first set of strokes and now the left side of his body was severely impaired from the aneurysm.  If that wasn't enough, we were extremely worried as Cohen hasn't said a word or acknowledged any sort of understanding for weeks after the aneurysm.  Because Cohen still required the tube in his head to help drain the fluid, our options were fairly limited and it looked like Cohen would need a shunt.  So, after many conversations with our neurosurgeons, we tried a 3rd ventriculostomy surgery.  Although initially his pressures looked like they were dropping, Cohen ultimately still had to have another surgery for the VP shunt placement.

On November 4, 2012, Cohen was discharged from the Stollery after 77 days, 55 of which was in PICU.  Cohen is truly our miracle child. Our ultimate goal for him is to be able to walk again and I know some day that will happen, just not for a while.  But for now, he is a happy child learning to move again on his own terms and in his own ways.  Cohen is very motivated, stubborn and determined.  All amazing qualities to have for someone who recently became very ill, recovered and is now on a new journey of rehabilitation.

Way to go Cohen!  You truly are a SUPER BOY BEAN!! 

Our quest to develop happy, healthy human Beans!

I'm sure most of our VIPBs (thats you!) have had the opportunity to view our fabulous new Fall 2014 collection in our Look Book, but we have to take a moment and point out one new addition that we are extremely excited to share with you.  

This season we have added a new element to our catalogue based on our continued quest to bring awareness on the importance of PLAY for our children.  As you flip through our pages you will find our Play Maven, Andrea's, Seal of Approval on various pages. Here's a peek...

We are constantly striving to help our children achieve the highest level of development within their individual range of possibility.  We want children to experience the world and feel good doing so. We support childhood development by promoting the importance of play for healthy development and by offering clothing that facilities play.

Play is a child's work and provides the best opportunities for learning. We encourage families and communities to recognize the necessity of play for our children. Peekaboo Beans knows the importance of understanding children's sensory preferences, creating opportunities for independence, helping them feel good about themselves and letting them express their own unique style. We keep these goals in  mind as we develop new products, ensuring all our clothes contribute to children growing up into happy, healthy HUMAN-BEANS! We are thrilled to have Andrea on our team to help support us on our playful journey. 

Here's a quick peek of our catalogue pages and what you can find throughout our Fall catalogue...

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Want to know more about Andrea?  Visit www.achildssong.ca to find out what Andrea is up to and how she is making amazing changes in peoples lives! 

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Don't forget... join in all the PLAYFUL FUN with our Summer Break Play Challenge!  Get all the details HERE

Summer Break Play Challenge... lets get playing!

Peekaboo Beans is on a mission!!  We're on a mission to prevent the kids of today from experiencing a childhood void of unstructured free play.  It's extremely important that we bring awareness to the importance of play and the current lack of it.  We need to get our Beans playing outdoors and having fun... constantly. They need this free time and free play in order to become happy healthy human beans! It's not a option, it's a necessity!

What is UNSTRUCTURED FREE PLAY? 
Unstructured free play is a set of activities that children create on their own without adult guidance. Children naturally, when left to their own devices, will take initiative and create activities and stories in the world around them. Sometimes, especially with children past the toddler stage, the most creative play takes place outside of direct adult supervision. Unstructured free play can happen in many different environments, however, the outdoors may provide more opportunities for free play due to the many movable parts, such as sticks, dirt, leaves and rocks which lend themselves to exploration and creation.

Unstructured play give children time to use their creativity, find out what they really like, acquire and practice their social skills, take risks, practice cause and effect, independence, and solve problems... just to name a few. Play will ultimately define our children's personalities for when they become adults.  Yup... PLAY has a pretty important role.

So, we encourage you to join the Summer Break PLAY Challenge with your family and embrace the opportunity to experience some creative outdoor activities and fun adventures during this last month of summer. Peekaboo Beans Summer Break PLAY Challenge is here to help bring fun back into your life and connect with your children through sharing time together, having fun with one another and PLAYING!

Click to download your free printable

Challenge Instructions:Print off a copy of the Summer Break PLAY Challenge, post to your fridge, bulletin board or anywhere that keep it easily accessible and over the month of August see how many of these fun activities you can accomplish.  Check them off as you go and feel free to update us with summaries of your adventures.  Share with us your stories, which ones your kids enjoyed the most, how did you make each activity your own?  Whatever you want to say, we would love to hear!  Most important of all, have fun and enjoy the time you will spend with your family!   Now get out there and PLAY!  Post photos of your BEANS at PLAY on our Facebook page HERE

Into the Woods

At Peekaboo Beans we are all about Play!   If you follow us on Social Media, you will see despite creating amazing collections (like this Fall 2014) we always try and take time to play at work!  

More importantly, with a world of endless distractions, we want to bring play back into our children's lives.  Just like the air we breathe, the sleep we need and the healthy food we eat, play is an essential part of healthy development! 

So today we celebrate the launch of another playful collection and provide a product that truly fosters a playful life.  “Into the Woods” is inspired by nature, and all the goodness it brings to the soul.   Check out Page 11 of the Catalogue (link below) to learn more about the collection inspiration.  

You will see a new an amazing feature - “Lets Talk Play” in our new catalogue!  Refer to Page 6 and 7, and meet our amazing Play Maven, Andrea Chatwin as she gives us her professional seal of approval on why PB features helps support the healthy development of your child.   

It is hard to pick out a favourite piece (so many to die for pieces)!  No doubt I love the Once Upon a time Coat and the Woodland coat!  Check out page 90 to see how you can get one of these amazing coats half price or free!

The girly girl in me loves the Enchanted Dress and the Whirl and Twirl (a throw back to the beloved Dreamy Dress of Fall 2010).  The tomboy in me loves the Stag your it tee ad the Ranger Pant - oh if I only had boys!!!  My Tween Bean fave, by far is The Be Brave Tunic and the new edition to the Heart Collection the Follow your Heart Hoodie!  Of course the baby playsuits would have me reconsider more babies!!!

Peekaboo Beans is all about family first - so our Social Selling model is an amazing way for us to support family first and share the joy of our product with you.  Find one of our knowledgeable and trained Play Stylists in your area and support local by shopping their Peekaboo-tique.  Click here to find a play stylist near you.

Your back to school shopping and fall wardrobe planning will be a breeze, no driving, no busy malls, no pushy sales people.  You can arrange a playdate, or an evening with your mommy friends to shop together and earn your new product for half price and free. 

If you are new to beans - you will fall in love.  It is designed by moms, for you and your children to be happy healthy and comfortable in everyday play so you never miss out on those play perfect moments.   If you are already a bean-aholic - continued to be wowed! 

Thank you for your loyal business - by supporting Peekaboo Beans, you are taking a stand for ethical manufacturing, elimination of harmful chemicals in your children's clothing, you are supporting local moms, and the building of Playgrounds in war torn countries.  To date in partnership with Playground Builders, you have helped provide safe places for over 200,000 children to play in some very dark places. 

Want to learn more about Joining our Vine (join for $99 right now!) and starting your own Peekaboo-tique, join our movement of Play!  Our amazing vine of Play Stylists is second to none.  A community like no other!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I hope you love the exciting new collection!

Click to view our Fall 2014 Look Book

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What I did right (maybe)

What I Did Right (Maybe)

"Raising children is an uncertain thing. Success is reached only after a lifetime of battle and worry." - Democratus

"Like all parents, we just do the best we can and hold our breath and hope we've set aside enough money for our kid's therapy."  - Michelle Pfeiffer

"I just flew by the seat of my pants and hoped for the best." - Grandma Bean

I recently had the great pleasure of attending my daughter's work conference, Playtopia2014. This brings me to the portion of the year when people tell me what a wonderful daughter I have and how she must have been raised right, and which makes me feel wonderful and like a fraud all at the same time.

I have said before that I was an immature Mom and that I grew up alongside my children. I discussed this recently with a good friend and as I went over a laundry list of my perceived mistakes and shortcomings, she said, "Carole, look at your children. They weren't raised by wolves! You must have done something right." It's true; they are hard working, funny, loving, responsible and compassionate people, who are terrific partners to their spouses and the absolute best parents to their own kids. I decided instead of looking at what I think I did wrong, and how I could have done it a different way (and no doubt just made different mistakes) I would look at ways in which I might have made a positive difference in their lives. It is easy to sit down and make a list of what I might have done wrong.....much harder to reflect on what I maybe did right. But here goes:

It Takes a Village
It was wonderful listening to Debra McNamara speak at Playtopia. I so related to all that she had to say, especially about "bridging" where you turn your children over to other members of the family or care-givers who can fill in the area's where you might not be strong.

I wasn't a "playing mom" and felt inadequate in many areas. I am told by my Mom that I was an "Old Soul" from a very early age and although I grew up with a terrific work ethic, I don't think I learned how to be playful. So as a Mom I swallowed my ego, and I exposed my children to people who were positive role models, and who could give them what I couldn't. This was difficult.....sometimes I had to swallow my pride on a daily basis to give them what they needed. I sent my children all summer, every summer, to stay with my parents at their Lake home. My son and his grandfather had a particularly close relationship. They spent many hours together, sitting in a boat on a lake, fishing and passing the time. (I found out later that my father also taught my son some very specific cuss words, but never mind.) My parents helped me give them what they needed and from this time my children also learned how to get along with a different generation and how to relate to older people. Today at family gatherings there doesn't seem to be the same generational interaction. All the children are on devices and seldom connect with the seniors in the family. One of the things I am most proud of is how kind my children are to the elderly.

Accountability
There are two stories I tell about this. The first is when my son was about 13, and he borrowed my Mom's bike one evening to ride around the lake to see his friend. Instead of riding the bike home, he and his friends rowed a boat across the lake, leaving the bike behind. I was very upset about this and sent him on foot, in the dark, back to his friend's house to retrieve his Nana's bike. Every ounce of my being wanted to drive him to pick it up because he was afraid of the dark....but I didn't. He needed a lesson in being responsible. (Did I feel guilty? Hell yes! I still feel guilty! But he can't remember the incident, so it was either not a big deal or it is buried deeply in his psyche and one day he will snap and beat on me with a bicycle.) The second story involves my daughter. (I'm not going to say which daughter, but um, here's a hint.....I only have one. Sorry Baby!) When she was about 16, she once came home shall we say, a little intoxicated. (In much the same way as a fluffy kitty is a "little cute".) I put her in the bath, put her to bed, woke her up every hour through the night to make sure she was okay, then at 6am I woke her up and made her go to work at her weekend job at KFC. Oh yes, I did. She spent a day frying chicken in hot grease and came home very sick. I thought about this many years later when I was working in an ER and a young girl was brought in unconscious from an overdose of alcohol. She had a party at her house while her parents were away and it got out of control. The home was trashed, with hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage. When the girl regained consciousness her family didn't want to take her back to her home because "she will be upset when she sees the mess." I can tell you, if that had been my child, not only would she have been taken home to be upset by the mess, but she would have been handed a broom on the way in, and would not have left again until the mess was cleaned up. Consequences.....they will learn it eventually, better they learn at your knee. I did that.

Flexibility
I was a working mother. Not only that, but I worked shifts and stat holidays. We had to fit in family celebrations around my shifts. As well, they had a mother that worked in a field where she often had sad stories to tell. They learned compassion and how to think of others. I taught them that if they were going to compare themselves to people who had everything, then they also had to compare themselves to people who had nothing.

Resilience
Because I was immature, not all of the decisions I made were based on, shall we say, good common sense. My children were there during one of the worst times of my life. For a period of time, they were the only reason I got up in the morning. They held me together while I set out on a different path in life and they were the reason I stayed on the path. They saw me and they stood by me, on my darkest days. They witnessed first hand that a person can fall apart completely, but move through the pain and come out the other side, stronger for the bending. In my mind, resilience is the single most important quality to instill in a child. I provided the catalyst for that.

So there you have it. I did the best with what I knew and to quote Maya Angelou, when I knew better, I did better. So for now, I will join in on the praise of my great kids.......because no Mom could be prouder.