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If you are a parent, grandparent or caregiver of kids, especially those 0-12, you need to know about Macaroni Kid for Johnson County!  This locally owned company is part of the national Macaroni Kid media brand with over 350 e-publications nationwide.  The concept is simple.  We provide a hyper-local e-publication of everything to do with kids in and around your neighborhood.   Every inexpensive and free child activity and family event in Johnson County, KS is listed for no charge.  Theater, music, arts and other cultural and live events which require advanced ticket purchase are also listed.

You can subscribe on line or in person by visiting one of our many community friends.  We would love for you to visit and support these local businesses! We will reward one lucky new subscriber who visits one of these locations to sign up with a $125 gift card to her/his favorite grocery store.

Monkey Bizness – “Where kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties, and special events. Located inside the Great Mall of the Great Plains,20080 W. 151st St, Olathe, KS 66061.

Debbie Howard’s Gym – “We want to teach the kids how to believe in themselves.” Offering gymnastics classes, open gyms, birthday and sports parties, and gym rentals. Located at 655 North Somerset Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062.

Stephanie’s Wonderland – “Every little girl should have a tutu or pettiskirt and be a princess for a day.” Find their amazing products at 115 N. Parker St, Olathe, KS 66061 (Wed-Sat), online, and also inside Mommy Shop (see below).

Mommy Shop – “Get the basics, stay unique.” 60+ vendors in one location offering unique items for maternity, gifts, infant, and children. Catering to moms with free gift wrapping, a play area for the little ones, and frequent in-store events.  Located at 14870 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66223.

Little Monkey Bizness – “Where little kids monkey around.” Offering open play, birthday parties and special events for crawling babies on up and a separate dining area with a full menu of snacks and beverages. Located at 12219 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66216

Ceramics & Coffee House @ Paint, Glaze & Fire – Offering drop in ceramic painting, glass fusion, birthday parties, girls night out, special events, paint/story time, camps and a full service coffee bar and free Wi-Fi. Located at 12683 Metcalf Ave, at the south end of Metcalf 127 Shopping Center, Overland Park, KS 66213.

If you have a Johnson County, KS business and are interested in hosting our subscription box, please contact Gail at info@gailsscoop.com

Get a sneak peak at the comprehensive Gail’s Scoop / Macaroni Kid guide!

Thanks to all our sponsors at All About Kids, Here We Grow Again, Just Between Friends, Kids Closet Connection, Merry Go Round 4 Kids,  Northland Mothers of Multiples, and Rhea Lana’s!  Please help spread the love by sharing on Facebook and Pinterest!

Thank you to Valerie Luehrs for this guest post.

Have you ever wondered how I can talk about being frugal one minute, but then in the next have my kids dressed in Ralph Lauren and Baby Gap?

Don’t worry, I’m not being two-faced. I have a secret I would like to share with you….about 95% of my kids clothes are used. I love, love, love a good bargain and search high and low to find the best deals that will allow me to dress my kids super cute! Thankfully I don’t have to look too hard.

Want to know why? Rhea Lana’s of Olathe! Friends were telling me that I just had to go check out Rhea Lana’s of Olathe, a local consignment sale that occurs twice a year. If you like name brand children’s clothing, Rhea Lana’s has it all! Need baby gear? Rhea Lana’s has it! Want to get some fun toys for your kids? Rhea Lana’s can take care of that too. Need…well you get my drift. Anything to do with children’s clothing, baby gear, toys, etc., they have it, and it’s all in GREAT condition at GREAT prices. They even offer furniture.

There are so many ways you can participate with the sale. To volunteer you can distribute flyers or yard signs, or even work a shift. Working a shift often tends to be the favorite because of being able to meet and spend time with other great moms. Volunteering is a win-win because not only are you able to enjoy the company of other mom’s, but you can earn a pass to get into the sale before the public!

The Olathe fall 2011 sale is right around the corner at The Devonshire Village Shop at 127th & Mur-Len right next to Gymboree. Sale dates are August 31-September 3. If you are looking to consign your kids gear I don’t think there is a better way to go that Rhea Lana’s. And if you are looking for a great way to dress your kids cute at a fraction of the retail cost, then PLEASE check out the sale this year! You’ll be glad you did, trust me.

If you are interested in consigning, volunteering, or finding out more information about Rhea Lana’s of Olathe, you can visit their Facebook Page or their website

You can let you friends know too by sharing this post on your favorite social network.

Consignment sales are a great way to save money on kids’ items.

You pay a fraction of retail for gently-used kids’ items in one convenient location. However, making the most of your bargain hunting trip requires some planning and preparation. Consignment sales offer thousands of great bargains on clothing, toys, shoes, games, books, baby equipment, furniture, nursery items, sports equipment and more.  How do you find the deals that are right for you among thousands of bargains?  Here are our best tips to help you get the most out of shopping our consignment sale.

1. Bring a list of your top wants/needs and start there.  Shopping thousands of items will seem less overwhelming when you have a list of the top bargains you’d like to find.  All the other great deals you find along the way are a bonus!
2. Bring a large shopping bag(s) or a laundry basket.  Easier shopping!
3. Bring a list of your kids’ sizes – this includes clothing and shoes.
4. Check the racks with clothing above and below your child’s size.  Clothing brands can run large or small. You might find something in another size that is right for your child.
5. If you are planning to purchase furniture, you may want to write down measurements for the space in your home.  That perfect desk or bed will seem less perfect if it isn’t the right size for your space.  Also, be sure that you bring a vehicle large enough to transport the item and maybe a friend or family member to help you unload once you get home.
6. If you’re overloaded with items or need to set aside a large item while you shop, see if there are “Hold” tables.  For example, Here We Grow Again Kids Consignment Sales have hold tables located around the sales floor and will have tags for you to fill out and place on your item.  You can enjoy the rest of your shopping trip knowing that the amazing deal you just found won’t get snapped up by another bargain hunter.
7. Inspect each item carefully.  All sales are final.
8. Your child’s safety is a priority.  Lists of recalled items are available to you at some sales.  Want to check out the list before you shop?  Just go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html
9. Be sure to have the proper payment.
10. Come back for 25% and 50% off days when most items are discounted!  Did you see something you liked but wished it was priced a little lower?  Take advantage of discount days, or sign-up to be a volunteer and/or consignor and be first to shop for regular and sale priced items.

This is a guest post from Trish Pfanstiel, owner of Here We Grow Again Kids’ Consignment Sale. If you’d like to find out more, visit www.herewegrowagain.com.  Here are their upcoming spring sales in the Kansas City area:

March 23-26 – Eastern Jackson County
Sports City
425 NE Mock Avenue, Blue Springs, MO 64014

March 29 – April 2 – Olathe
Former Dillons Grocery Store
588 E. Santa Fe, Olathe, KS 66062

April 7 – 10 – Shawnee
Merriam Village
I-35 & Johnson Drive
6030 Eby Avenue, Merriam, KS 66202

April 16-19 – Grandview
Crystal Ballroom at Rodeway Inn
71 Hwy and 155th Street

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