A party isn’t a party without a piñata and lots of candy. But the worst thing about piñatas is that some kid always gets the short end of the stick and winds up with little to no candy! Well, Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and the people over at She Knows: Food and Recipes have figured out a way to make an amazing treat for this celebration while finding a candy distribution solution (rhyme: intentional) that promises to bequeath tasty treats evenly, upon all who partake in the wonders that are the piñata.

(This means: everybody gets some!)

We present to you the Piñata Cookie! They have managed to put the pure genius that is the piñata into cookie form without sacrificing the enjoyment that comes with breaking into a piñata. No longer will you have to fight others just to get one partially unwrapped Jolly Rancher. With each bite it is like you are the only kid swinging the bat at the papier-mâché structure hanging from a tree.

And if you still want to blindfold yourself and spin around a couple of times before you eat this cookie, by all means go right ahead!

This treat also gives you the freedom to put whatever surprise candy inside you want; adding a different flavor to each cookie. This way you have a good variety for people to choose from at the party. And the best part is, there is no mess to clean up! Because any part of the cookie that is left over after making them is edible! But be prepared because these cookies will go fast and most likely people will still be on the floor fighting over the last one on the plate.

Just make sure you add some variety to the spread -- nobody wants a trip to the dentist as a follow-up to an amazing Cinco de Mayo experience!!

Cinco de Mayo piñata cookies :: SheKnows Food & Recipies

Vintage-looking prints are just all the rage right about now. Don't believe us? Just ask around on the Internet. Everybody who's anybody will tell you that one of the top trends in kiddie couture these days is firmly rooted in the recent classics, with fashion sensibilities heading in the direction of fun, friendly, and flowery prints that look like they stepped straight out of Mom's closet...but back when she was protesting things and going to Jethro Tull concerts.

Luckily for you, at KidsExclusive, we have a great selection of classically cute, vintage-style prints and pieces that'll help you grab that cool, lived-in look.

1. Peasant Dress by Kitschy Couture - $29.90

This short-sleeved dress features a babydoll-style top with tiny little sleeves to keep things nice and cool when the weather gets warm. The flowing skirt is slightly gathered just below a ruffle-detailed waist; the similarly decorated hem brings the whole thing together around the bright multi-pattern design whose earth toned color palette creates a wonderfully rustic vibe.

2. Long-Sleeved Button up Flower Dress by Millions of Colors - $39.90

The real trick to fashion is knowing just where and when to make your statement. Picking the right balance of color, the right combination of patterns -- it takes a deft eye to nail the subtle combination that creates a truly unique look. Millions of Color, luckily, has this skill in droves, and continues to offer selection after selection of smartly-designed fashion for young'ns.

This flower-printed button-up dress is as elegantly simple as it is classically adorable. The tight flower pattern sits on mellow beige dress with long, easy fitted sleeves and a loose, open neck. The skirt features slight gathering around the waist, with a striped blue second layer peeking out around the hem, offering that perfect little dash of color.

3. Beige Blouse by Imoga - $21.90

This is actually one of our very favorite pieces here at the Kids Exclusive offices. Don't let the name fool you -- this beige blouse is anything but boring.

The short-cropped sleeves and wide neckline give this top a unique, tunic styling, while the brushstroke flower pattern adds just the right amount of subtly placed dashes of color, creating a simple and unique piece whose attraction is underhanded, yet completely irresistible.

4. Belted Floral Print Dress by Cakewalk - $39.90

Another one of our Corporate Headquarters Favorites, this Belted Floral Print Dress is one of our most uniquely-styled offerings, with a heaping helping of both classic style and rustic appeal, all wrapped in an attractive packaging of European fashion sensibilities.

Made from 100% cotton, this dress features lace detailing along the button-down top that culminates in a cossack-style band collar for a look that's guaranteed to be the only one of its kind.

These aren't the kinds of outfits you're going to be seeing on any other kids anytime soon, folks. At Kids Exclusive, we pride ourselves in the most unique boutique fashions from the most individualistic designers around.

Now that you've got a great little roster of vintage printed styles, you're ready to conquer the neighborhood runway!

Shoes! If there's one surefire way to grab the attention of just about any fashionista (young or old), it's by yelling out "SHOES" at the top of your lungs. At least it works for us.

In fact, it works so well that after yelling it like that for more than just a couple of hours, we realized that we had finally received what it was we had been waiting for: a fresh shipment of China Doll's finest footwear!

Roll call!

1. The Red Glitter Flats are a great wardrobe staple: fancy and fun in just about equal measures, and featuring a cute little bow at the toe for about 50 added cute points. At $26.90 they're a pretty huge steal, considering how much use they're bound to get!

2. When it starts getting a little warmer out, you can make sure those daytime trips are something really special with the Diamond Twist Sandals, on sale now for only $26.90. With their rhinestone-studded strap, they're cute enough to make her smile, but classy enough to suit your style.

3. And because no wardrobe is complete without a strong, sturdy helping of fuzzy pink, China Doll offers the nearly irresistible Pink Twinkle Flats for your wearing pleasure. At only $26.90, they boast a highly affordable price point, and your little lady won't be able to say no to feeling like a bona-fide ballerina every time she straps them on.

Looking great this Summer season is a snap when it comes to classy footwear, thanks to our good friends at China Doll!

Knowing the difference between “spicing things up a little bit” and posing a potential seizure threat via your wardrobe choices is always something that we hope readers are keeping at the forefront of their fashion decisions...but this year especially, knowing when to add a touch of color has become more valuable than ever.

A splash of neon here or there is one of 2012’s most prevalent fashion trends, showing up all over the world and at Fashion Week events left and right. And we’re glad! It’s fun to have an attention-getting accent that adds a happy dash of color into the mix. Especially given all the serious that’s been going on these last few years, it’s important to remember that having a good time is always en vogue.

Finding the right combination of neon accent and neutral base can be a tricky one, but at KidsExclusive.com there exists a veritable plethora of different ways to arrive at your desired style.

First, you'll want to start off with a nice neutral:

1. The Flannel Shorts from Elle are a perfect way to add a nicely neutral, yet textured base to any outfit. These shorts are 60% off at $39.90, which isn't too bad at all.

2. Diesel's Gray Slim Pants are a staple for just about any wardrobe, guaranteed to prove useful in many a fashion situation. Plus, we've got them for $39.90 which is about 55% off.

3. The Gray Rosebud Shirt by Il Gufo is another great addition to a young lady's closet. Relatively straightforward, it features a soothing gray with a ruffled neckline with a couple of cute little rosebuds to top things off. Our 68% discount brings the pice to $49.90 (down from $154), which isn't bad either!

4. The Cashmere Cardigan by Il Gufo is another nice neutral -- super soft cardigan with a no-nonsense ruffle down the middle. $69.90, down from a kind of crazy $217 -- that's 68% off, so you might want to shop now before we change our minds.

5. Millions of Colors has a short-sleeved Beige Belted Cardigan that offers a great variant on the classic cardigan design. The belt adds a touch of uniqueness, and the slightly raised collar buttons at the neck for a really chic look. It's a steal at $49.90, by the way.

6. And because we love cardigans, we've also got the Gray Button-Up Ruffled Cardigan by LA Made for only $21.90 -- yet another simple, yet classic piece that'll be sure to shore up any burgeoning wardrobe.

Then you break out the colors!

7. The Beige Blouse by Imoga is a great start to adding dashes of color to prevalent neutrals. Its name might not shout out "COLORS EVERYWHERE!" but the unique styling accentuates little flowery bursts of purple and red that'll add a nice touch to any outfit. It's 59% off at $21.90, which isn't bad.

8. Millions of Colors has a Violet Striped Scarf that, while pretty self-explanatory, will definitely liven up any casual attire without drawing too much attention. Tough to beat for just $11.90.

9. The Pink Cashmere Leggings by Il Gufo are another great versatile style piece -- the cozy pink will perfectly accentuate any neutral outfit, but doesn't command the entirety of one's attention, of course. Not bad for $29.90, right?

10. Cardigans don't have to be boring! LA Made's Hot Pink Ruffled Cardigan (words we never thought we'd see right next to each other) is the utmost of classy fun. At only $16.90, you'll save yourself 68% off the retail price.

11. The Purple Rain Skirt by Imoga is another great way to introduce a bit of color into an otherwise-unobtrusive outfit for less than $22. Ruching along the waist ensures a nice and snug fit, while the deep blue and red blended with beige bubbles produces a nice and colorful effect without being to silly or carefree.

12. CakeWalk's Knitted Flower Sweatshirt actually kind of does everything for you: it's the perfect example of accenting a neutral with a nice touch of color. It's a snag for only $23.90, we think.

And there you have it! There are plenty of ways to blend colors and neutrals to get that über-hip, 2012 fashion trend look that you just know every little superstar is craving!

He whipped off his jacket and shoved it in his cubby.  He ran over to the group of children sitting on the carpet singing songs with the teacher.  He jumped up and down a few times before plopping down in the group with a smile that ate up his whole face.

I stood there, feeling proud and cheated at the same time.

He forgot to say goodbye.  He didn’t give me a hug… again.  I watched him sing and smile and laugh… and he didn’t look back… not even once.  I tiptoed out of the classroom and vowed to grab him next time, to hold him close, to make him promise to always hug and kiss me goodbye.

Stupid preschool.

Stupid, wonderful preschool.

Last Saturday he woke up and asked me if it was a school day.  I said no, gave a little drum roll, and said he got to stay home with me because it was Saturday!  I’m sure I even threw in some jazz hands.  He was unimpressed.  He said he wanted to go to school everyday.

And my heart broke.

He preferred school.  He preferred school to his mama.  I remembered the days when nothing compared to mama – NOTHING.  I remember him clinging to me as a 6 month old monkey, refusing to be put down, when all I wanted was to go to the bathroom.  I remember his little toddling steps never straying too far, and how he always found his way back to the safety of clutching my calf.

This preschool is a far cry from the other one.  The school before this one was less than desirable, though he was only there for a few months.  This school is the one we’ve been looking for.  This school is the one we’re making sacrifices for.  This school is the one that breaks my heart each day by helping my son to need me less.

It’s a Montessori school.  The school empowers him.  He learns to make choices for himself, and take responsibility.  He learns letters, numbers, and concepts at an individual pace.  He is thriving.  He is thriving everyday… without me holding his hand.
I know it’s as it should be.

I’m starting to learn that motherhood is a series of heartbreaks: that my arms should always be ready to hold him, and always be ready to let go; that every step away from me is a step into his own power; that the chord will only stretch so far; that a good preschool is only the beginning.

So I will stand there…

I will watch him run toward something, and away from me…

I will brace myself for the bittersweet heartbreaks to come…

And I will silently hope that he remembers to come back and give me a hug and a kiss.

Let me tell you a bit about myself: I'm a born and raised Okie. I'm in my mid-twenties. I work as a therapist with severely mentally ill adults (my stories from work could fill a completely separate blog). I have been married to my best friend for almost 5 years and we had a baby boy, Caleb, 5 months ago.

One of the things that I have noticed after becoming a mom is that it is very difficult to establish a routine. I was so used to life with just us two that my world has been turned upside-down since our sweet boy came along.

Now it feels like I can't get caught up in any part of my household. If I have a spare moment, bottles need cleaning. If I'm done with bottles, laundry calls my name. Home chores? Forgetaboutit.

I have really had to stay focused on a routine in order to stay on track.

Here is an example of my daily routine:

These are the tasks that need to be done mostly every day, I change it up as needed. It was different when I was on maternity leave, but now I don't have as much time to get things done during the day.

And I will leave you with some tips to stay on track:

1. Write it down

It's much easier to get things done if you have a list. I tend to forget things if I don't have a reference.

2. Delegate

Give the other members of your household tasks to complete. Hubby changes out the diaper genie. I wipe down the toys. We are in this together!

3, Prioritize

Ask yourself, "What really needs to be done today?" In the case that you get worn out from the day and don't feel like doing anything (let's face it, we've all been there), get what needs to be done out of the way first so you can finish up the rest later and catch up on your z's. Or just stare at the wall and give your brain a break...

It has been so nice to meet you all!

What does your daily routine look like?

...because who doesn't want to look THAT genuinely happy??

Best of Chums' Beige and Brown Ice Cream Dress with ribbon flourish and ruffled detail is perfect for excursions through whatever park, valley, glen or non-industrial terrain of your tike’s choosing. This adorable polka dotted sheath has an ice cream sundae emblem woven yummily on the front, so your little baby-kins can wear her favorite desert right next to her heart. Of course, if she prefers sorbet, feel free to call this number her sorbet dress. We promise we won’t be insulted.

A full scoop of cuteness, with a cherry on top.

Isobella & Chloe’s Black and White Pattern Dress with woven ribbon detail and ruffling at the hem is perfectly suitable for daytime wear, but transitions easily into a more formal ensemble. It’s ideal for parties, weddings or—most importantly—when your little one is invited to a kindergarten tribute to Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball.

Infuse that young lady's wardrobe with a fresh helping of modern style & sensibility!

The children of the Hollywood elite are no different from yours or mine—except they have parents that won’t be gently but firmly escorted from elite infant couturiers. Nonetheless, we can press our noses to the glass that separates us from high toddler fashion, and boldly dress our young ones in designs that will rival the cream of the designer crop both in style and quality. Kids Exclusive has all the gear you need to keep your tot perfectly chic even in these trying economic times. So, take that, Junior Gaultier! Ow! Alright, I’m going.

Mark Whalberg and his Funky Bunch -- No Longer a Source of Fashion Envy!

Daughter Ella Rae is wearing an ensemble featuring items that can easily be found at Kids Exclusive without significantly denting ye olde pocket book.  The sporty Navy Knit Cardigan by Wheat is a dainty little addition to just about any outfit that’ll boost your style points by about fifty, guaranteed. The Red Ruffled Dress by Isobella & Chloe (pictured below) is a simple yet stylish red dress that looks perfect on its own, or is easily paired with a simple accessory like the Wheat’s Navy Knit Carrdigan. At a shocking $19.90, this dress clocks in at 71% off the suggested retail price. Grab this keeper before it’s gone!

Simple Style for your little fashionista. Because looking great doesn't have to be complicated.

Michael Robert is wearing the ever popular graphic tee paired with camouflage cargo pants. Alphabet’s blue and brown Long-Sleeved Polo Shirt with striped sleeves and classy collar is every bit as hip and cool as young Michael Robert’s classically-styled striped polo, only you can bet that yours didn’t cost an arm and a leg. The Army Green Cargo Pants for under $10 are just wonderfully versatile -- they’ll complement a classy wardrobe, and will provide the same excellent camouflaging benefits if ever your child needs to blend into an army green backdrop.

Classy Stripes Make This Polo from Alphabet an Absolute Must-Have

This is just a smattering of the bounty of kid’s fashions you will find at KidsExclusive.com.  We have everything from rough and tumble playwear, to frilly and fanciful ballerina dresses. Kids Exclusive has all the garb you need to make your child too cool for school. Not literally too cool, of course; we can’t stress the importance of formal education enough. We here at Kids Exclusive do not suggest, nor mean to imply that stylish articles of clothing in any way supersede a child’s scholastic needs. Whew! Litigation averted.

One of these sales comes from everyone's favorite purveyor of designer jeans -- Diesel! That's right, starting on March 5 you'll be able to enjoy the fine, fine European-inspired stylings of Diesel giving your little lady or gentleman's wardrobe a serious fashion boost. Just look at these jeans! Does it get cuter than this? If it does, let us know...because we're pretty sure it doesn't.

One of Diesel's many adorable selections

And it doesn't end there! Of course, Diesel offers a wide variety of styles and items with which one might supplement any young wardrobe -- but the real reason everyone loves Diesel is because of their impeccable designer jeans. Known the world over for their lasting quality and style, Diesel's jeans are now available for your miniature person at KidsExclusive.com -- and for a fraction of the price. Just have a look at these:

Designer Jeans that Won't Break the Bank

Don't you wish you could head over to the www.KidsExclusive.com store and pick these up now? We wish you could too! And we don't mean to be such a tease -- these selections and many more will be available in just a couple short days, on Monday, March 5th. Ever thought you'd find yourself wishing the weekend was over quicker? Neither did we!!

Favorite Foods of the Commanders-in-Chief:

As one might imagine, our founding fathers had a locally sourced diet that consisted of sundries we either don’t see or appreciate today. Of course, scouring Whole Foods for myrtleberries and guinea fowl is economically prohibitive and—well—futile, so substituting more convenient foodstuffs might be more appropriate. Hey, we have Thomas Jefferson to thank for the importation of macaroni and cheese, and what could be easier? There was probably no U.S. President with greater gustatory sophistication than Thomas Jefferson—there is even a cottage industry today dedicated to the authentic dishes served at Monticello. Typical Jefferson dinner fare included the aforementioned mac & cheese, deviled eggs with anchovies, stuffed cabbage and fried asparagus—all containing accessible ingredients and moderately kid-friendly. He also ate a good deal of ice cream, as did his other White House colleagues. Dolly Madison, wife of James Madison, was very fond of ice cream flavored with oysters. Because this is a dish that even the most intrepid foodie would hesitate to try, you might want to try infusing your homemade ice cream with fleur de sel caramels, which provide the requisite brininess without the shock a frozen mollusk would surely inspire.

Entertaining the 18th Century Way:

A tankard of cider, a deck of cards and priceless antiques were the ingredients for the favorite pastime of many sitting U.S. Presidents. Warren G. Harding once wagered—and lost—the White House china in a game of poker. While we in no way suggest you turn your living room into a casino and your children into little Arnold Rothsteins, you might enjoy a family game of George Washington-endorsed Bridge (yes, Bridge). It is not only highly addictive, but has all of the intellectual benefits of chess while being a very social activity. This is ideal for kiddies who have reached an age where drooling on the cards won’t be an issue. If your tikes are too tiny to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em, then they will love a game of old-timey dress up! The tots can make construction paper stovepipe hats and cotton-ball Uncle Sam beards while simultaneously composing presidential doctrines for the country of their own invention. You can have them design their own flags and national animals, as well. Let the kids modify some of your old clothes and deck themselves out in high-office fashion.  Your young ‘uns dressed in all of their handiwork will be a priceless photo opportunity.  Honestly, what could be cuter than miniature Dwight and Mamie Eisenhowers?

Children are information sponges.  Often, the facts and trivia we learned as impressionable infants stay with us for the rest of our lives (The original drummer for the Beatles was Pete Best.  See?  I learned that when I was six).  Using this holiday to plant seedlings of information into a child’s mind is a great way to instill a fascination for history.  Moreover, its fun to cook and play with your family and pretend, even if it is in the service of character and intellectual development.  So let your little tike parade around in a fake beard making legislative proclamations; there’s plenty of time for him or her to become righteously indignant about governmental policies in the teenage years.