NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

99 Monkeys (RE)Pack and Play Toys LLC finds wonderful used toys, we clean them, make sure they work, and then re-package them so kids get all the fun of opening a "new" toy. We love children. We love toys. And we, the owners of 99 Monkeys, love foster kids. May is National Foster Care Month. Here is what the president wrote to begin his national proclaimation declaring this month National Foster Care Month:

"Childhood is a time for our young people to grow and learn, protected by their families and safe in their homes. But for almost half a million children who are unable to remain at home through no fault of their own, childhood can be a time of sadness, pain, and separation. These children need and deserve safe, loving, and permanent families who can help restore their sense of well-being and give them hope for the future."

We agree, and we try to provide a bit of safety, love and hope to all foster children and their parents by providing a free toy of up to $25 in value on or for birthdays for all foster children and youth. Foster children belong to us all and children deserve to feel safe and secure as they grow and mature.

Check out these sites for good reads and more information on this month and the foster care system:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/02/presidential-proclamation-national-foster-care-month

http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.nationalfostercare.org/

A Note About Green Bananas - our Drop-in Art Care Space

We are a space where parents can drop their kids (2.5-6 years-old) for up to four hours. IF parents desire they can stay on-site and drink some tea, read a book or just watch the traffic drive by on Greenwood Avenue but it's the perfect time to run a few kids free errands and leave the childcare in the hands of our great, energetic and CPR/First Aid trained staff.

Green Bananas Indroductory Special

Green Bananas inside 99 Monkeys

It's a typical spring in the Pacific Northwest with some beautiful days that make us remember why we live in this region of the country followed by wet and breezy weather that reminds us why we have so much green around. Since we opened our doors just over a week ago we have decide to offer an introductory special at our art care drop-in! Buy your first hour and get the second free. It's a good way to get the little ones out of the house on days like today while not having to spend time at a soggy park. Come it!! Our art facilitators are all CPR/First Aid Cerified and background checked. We provide a safe and fun art experience for kids between the ages of 2.5-nearly 6.

Come in!

EARTH DAY!!

A beautiful day in the Puget Sound! We open Sundays at noon and this wonderful and already warm Sunday is also Earth Day! Come in to the store and see what we do to celebrate Earth Day every day and work toward saving our planet for future generations!

EARTH DAY EVERY DAY

99 Monkeys (Re)Pack and Play Toys has Earth Day every day - and we have fun doing it! Come in on this, the official weekend to celebrate the planet where we live and see what we are doing to save the Earth for future generations while providing fun to kids and kids at heart!

The Coming Weeks at Green Bananas...

Of note, this week we are using Georgia O'Keefe for artist inspiration and creating some great mixed media flower art projects.

Next week we'll read "The Frog Prince" and make some balls to play with that will not get lost in frog ponds.

And the third week...Frida Kahlo and spider monkey silhouettes.

GRAND OPENING SUCCESS!!

When we started 99 Monkeys as an online toy store, we thought one day we might want to have a brick and mortar store someday.  We were thinking "someday" meant several years from now when life was less hectic and it was time to create some adventurous chaos.

Well, that someday came quickly. With less than a year as an online toy business under our belts, we have ventured into the realm of physical location and all the fun, chaos and happiness that brings. We had a fabulous grand opening celebration on April 15th at our location in one of our favorite Seattle neighborhoods. It went really well, and we've had a great time being in the space in our first week.

In addition to our toy store, we have begun a Drop-in Art Care facility called Green Bananas that is located within 99 Monkeys and provides a space for younger children to experience art in a variety of forms. It's a place where an artist, fairy tale or world folk tale is the focus to provide inspiration for every week of creative play and learning. Parents can bring their children in and then stay and sip some tea OR (a, perhaps, more enticing option) parents can drop their children off for up to four hours to play while they run a few errands, get some exercise without the stroller, or grab a coffee with a friend. The Green Bananas and 99 Monkeys staff are creative, energetic and CPR and First Aid trained so there's no need to worry while spending a bit of time on your own.

Come and visit us, see our innovative packaging for yourselves and drop your kids off for some artistic fun! 7104 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle WA 98103.