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Every spring, I scramble to buy water shoes before they’re sold out for the summer. I always turn to Target’s Cat & Jack line for the best combination of quality, price, and selection.
These toddler slip-on water shoes come in a rainbow of colors. The closed-toe, sneaker-like design helps wobbly little ones get their footing. The mesh upper dries quickly and the adjustable strap keeps these shoes secure.
These water shoes are $16.99 at Target and come in seven colors. They’re available in whole sizes 5–12.
Sales of note for 5.5.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase (ends 5/12); $50 off your $200+ purchase (ends 5/5)
- Banana Republic Factory – Spend your StyleCash with 40-60% off everything, or take an extra 20% off purchase (ends 5/6)
- Eloquii – $19 & up 300+ styles and up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Shirts & tees starting at $24.50; extra 30% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles & extra 15% off; extra 55% off sale styles
- Nordstrom: Nordy Club members earn 3X the points on beauty; 30% off selected shoes
- Talbots – 40% off one item & and 30% off everything else; $50 off $200 (all end 5/5)
- Zappos – 27,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – 40% off everything & extra 20% off select styles with code
- Hanna Andersson – Friends & Family Sale: 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Crewcuts – tk; extra 30% off sale styles; kids’ styles starting at $14.50
- Old Navy – Up to 75% off clearance
- Target – 20% off women’s clothing & shoes; up to 50% off kitchen & dining; 20% off jewelry & hair accessories; up to $100 off select Apple products; up to 40% off home & patio; BOGO 50% off adult & YA books
Outdoor time says
We recently moved and have a small backyard! 4 year old kid loves the outdoor “mud kitchen” at school so was thinking about something similar for home. Anyone else get one of these? Is it worth the space or should we think about a small playhouse and water table instead? Definitely don’t want to use up all the space with a swing-set but open to other ideas too (he is neurodiverse fwiw so sensory is key).
Anonymous says
Kid loves a mud kitchen do a mud kitchen
TheElms says
If you add a fish tank pump to your mud kitchen it will have some water table aspects. Basically a less expensive version of this. https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/sand-water/sand-water-tables/pump-play-mud-kitchen/p/LC737/
I’d also consider a sand box /elevated table or just an area of the backyard that your kid can dig.
Anon says
Fellow small backyard person here and the key is to keep things multi-use. I’d get a basic outdoor sensory table with multiple bins so you can use one for mud, one for water, one for sand, etc. We also have this, which has been an enormous hit with my kids, that you could use to make the whole thing more kitchen-like when you want it to be but keep things changeable: https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Stone-Sensitive-Thermochromic-Dishwasher/dp/B07MLYQLX1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3KE0N5KB2ALEU&keywords=kitchen+sink+toy&qid=1680878027&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=kitchen+sink+toy%2Ctoys-and-games%2C85&sr=1-4
We also have a larger-sized fold up slide and a plain wooden frame with two swings (you could do even smaller with one swing). Easy to remove everything to make more room when needed, provided you have storage space. My kids are 3 and 5 and no complaints so far!
Anonymous says
Do a mud kitchen! Do not buy anything. Get a used, beat up playhouse off FB markets place. Anything you buy will fade in no time.
anonforthistopic says
Ok, I have a petty rant I need to just get off my chest. I know I have no alternative but to let this go, so here’s my anonymous venting about a really petty issue that I realize is petty. My DH’s step-sister (so my step SIL?) is naming her soon-to-be-born baby a name that rhymes with my 3yo daughter’s. And, both names are uncommon names. The closest I can think of without telling the actual names is like Claire and Blaire. When they told me the name, they assured us they’d be using a nickname, but so far everything they post/talk about is the full (and rhyming) name. This is my petty af rant but I just need to vent and then move on, nad given the relationship don’t want to complain to DH/people that know the family of course.
Anon says
Eh it’s not the same name. I’d be annoyed if they took my kid’s name or a variation of it but I think you’re being weird.
Hmmm says
+1
NYCer says
I would 100% let this go. This falls in to the “no big deal” category IMO.
Anon says
Rant way, we all have our things like that, but this doesn’t seem like a close enough connection to really impact anything later on. I thought you were going to say that they used the exact same name. I doubt this will bother you much over time.
Anon says
I completely get being annoyed (but accepting it’s petty)! If it helps, my husband and his cousin have the actual same (common) first name, and it’s fine. They grew up referring to my husband as “Big Joe” and cousin as “Little Joe.” Funny part was that my husband topped out at about 5 foot 8, while “Little Joe” played college football for a school you’ve definitely heard of.
Anon says
My cousin is my best friend (we talk 10x/day, vacation together, etc.) and she hates almost all baby names except for the one I want for a girl. It wouldn’t be ideal if both of our kids had the same one, but that’s how names work in the end – people share them.
Anonymous says
These stories always make me think of the scene in Little House in the Big Woods where Laura meets her cousin who is also named Laura Ingalls, and doesn’t like her very much.
Anon says
I was expecting you to say they’re using the same name. I don’t think a name that rhymes is a big deal at all. Does anyone over the age of 8 even care about rhyming?
anon says
Maybe a better example would be Marrisa and Clarissa. Like, very similar and unique names for two cousins 3 years apart to have. I foresee people stumbling over which is which. I purposely did not name my son a “family” name because I didn’t want the kids to go by nicknames or “big/little/Jrs”. There’s one other name I can think fo that would rhyme with my DD’s, so I guess my thought was of alllll the names, you found an incredibly rare one that happens to rhyme/sound alike? (And, with the family dynamic, can’t help but be salty because I’m sure if the reverse had happened, this individual would have created tons of drama over it.) Whatever, I get it guys, I’m weird and will let it go.
Anon says
Unless the names in question are a lot more unique than Marissa and Clarissa (which I consider pretty common names?) I think you’re over-reacting. I know a woman with a made-up name that literally almost no one else in the world has (you only get results for her if you search her first name only) and I can see being annoyed if they picked another made up name that sounds the same. But not two normal names that just happen to rhyme.
Anonymous says
If you are predisposed to be offended at her because of things she’s done (to you?) in the past, then that’s the thing to be concerned about and to be working on. Surely the tension in the relationship is a bigger deal than a baby name that rhymes?
anon says
It seems like you already don’t like her for other reasons, so I understand being annoyed by this. And it’s okay to not like her. Just b/c someone is part of your extended family, doesn’t mean you automatically have to get along.
Anonymous says
This is funny bc my cousins are literally named Marissa and Clarissa (they are also cousins, not sisters) and they’re probably the closest of all my (22) cousins on that side. My brother also married a woman whose name rhymes with those names. It’s so confusing when we’re all together.
Anonymous says
Rant away, OP!
Can confirm …I would be annoyed if my SIL did this. And same about my SIL raising drama if the roles were reversed. Family dynamics / history and everyone’s “roles” are no joke!
AwayEmily says
I would probably also be vaguely annoyed while also realizing I had no right to be. This is a safe space to complain! Maybe they will end up being super close because of it :-)
Anon says
Can confirm I’d be pissed, so right there with you!
OOO says
Do toddlers need water shoes? Is there anything that they can do that Keen sandals can’t? Just trying to figure out if I need to get these.
TheElms says
Keen sandals count as water shoes to me.
Anon says
We spend a lot of time in the water and usually just do barefoot or in a sandal if it’s rocky.
I would think of these as a cheaper alternative to a keen not in addition to.
Anon says
We never had them, but we mostly spend time at the neighborhood pool and at the beach (90 mins away, so lots of day trips). FWIW, our beach is sandy with (usually) not much in the way of broken shells, seaweed, etc.
YMMV if you’re doing more splash pads, boats, water parks, or lakes or bays (where the bottom is mucky or rocky)? I’m not sure.
GCA says
It depends on the destination, I think. sand and gravel would get in my kids’ Keens and drive them crazy, so water shoes were a little better. But for splash pads and daycare water play, either will do (daycares usually want you to send in closed-toed shoes).
Anonymous says
This. I don’t like sandals for sand or gravel because the sand/gravel gets in but never falls out. Flip-flops are OK because they don’t trap sand/gravel, but when flip-flops aren’t secure enough I prefer water shoes.
AwayEmily says
Yes, we had the same issue. There’s a creek nearby where my kids like to wade/explore and after one season of Keens I swore them off forever — I ended up having to help them take them on and off like once every five minutes because rocks and sand kept getting stuck in there. Now we either use water shoes or something like Crocs that are really easy to slip on and off to empty out rocks.
anon says
we do crocks on rocky beaches, otherwise barefoot.
Anon says
Same
Anon says
Merrrll’s bare steps H20 shoes (they might be called something else) are mesh and close toed/no holes for rocks. We use those in addition to the Keen sea camp sandals.
anonamommy says
I have a kid (8) with high intelligence but has a really hard time with executive functioning, especially completing tasks in a timely manner (due to perfectionism) and struggling with anxiety when feeling overwhelmed. I’m wondering if occupational therapy would help – any experiences with this? I’m not exactly sure how to describe it to a therapist, it’s not really fine motor or gross motor skills, more in the task execution part.
Anon says
Yes my son did a group program with a children’s OT practice focused on executive functioning and it was very helpful. If you google kids unlimited in oak park Illinois the description there might be helpful.
Anon says
Having done OT (albeit with a younger kid) I don’t really see how OT could help with this kind of thing. I’d talk to your ped and see what they suggest.
Anon says
This feels more in the purview of a therapist than an OT to me.
– A fellow perfectionist with anxiety
Anonymous says
The first stop is probably the pediatrician for a referral to an educational psychologist for evaluation.
Anon says
My 5 year old has her first (and probably last) dance recital soon. I’ll take any tips from seasoned dance moms but two specific questions:
1) My daughter’s class goes first and then she’s supposed to sit and watch the rest of the recital with her class (parents can’t pick up until the end). I don’t see any scenario under which my daughter sits quality and watches a two hour dance recital but this is the teacher’s problem, not mine…right?
2) They recommend make-up. My daughter is emphatic that she doesn’t want to wear it. I don’t plan to force the issue. Is that ok? We’re likely not signing up for dance again so I don’t really care if people judge. I did tell her that she’ll likely be the only girl in her class with no make up and she said it’s fine.
Anon says
(1) You should bring something quiet she can do, like you would if she had to sit through a wedding or other church service.
(2) Offer makeup when she sees other kids wearing it, but it’s not worth a showdown.
Anonymous says
1. Yes, this is 100% the teacher’s problem. It probably won’t be an issue–most 5-year-olds can sit through a movie, etc., and a dance recital has a lot more variety to hold their attention.
2. I would take along some makeup just in case she changes her mind once she sees the other kids.
Anon says
So she actually cannot sit through a movie… She has been ok at some live performances of kids shows she loves but those were usually less than 90 minutes and had characters and songs she knew and was excited about, plus talking/singing at those kind of performances is more acceptable since the audience is mostly kids under 6. I definitely think she’s going to be VERY bored watching the recital. She finds dance itself boring and I think will find watching it even more boring…
Good thought about bringing make-up in case she changes her mind.
Anonymous says
Take her out for ice cream or dinner afterwards to celebrate. My parents were cheap and no fun and it was always such a letdown to have to go straight home after performances when I was all amped up on adrenaline.
Anonymous says
I would not count on the teacher’s personally supervising the class in the audience because she will probably have other classes to get on stage, but presumably there will be a parent or other adult in charge of the kids.
anon says
At my daughter’s studio, parents tend to bring flowers for the kids (just grocery store bouquets). I’ve almost forgotten before, definitely didn’t want my kid to be the only one without (even though the bouquet lasts maybe a day).
anonM says
I would not make a 5yo wear makeup. Admittedly, I’ve never been in dance/in that world, and my 5yo is a boy so is not getting this type of makeup pressure, but seems like you can follow her lead here. It’s a good moment to teach to a girl that she doesn’t have to follow the crowd on all things.
Anonymous says
1) teacher’s problem. I have 3 girls and have sat through 10+ recitals across 3 dance schools…none bc of them make (or even let) the kids watch. All 3 have a “green room” aka “fun room” where the non dancing dancers are watched by older girls and do activities. One dance school live streams the recital so anyone interested can watch; two songs not.
2) nope! Don’t do it. My kids all love it and be prepared for yours to change her mind, but nobody will care if your kid doesn’t have it on. I usually just go with a bright lipstick and call it a day.
NYCer says
This was my thought re #1 too. I am surprised the girls will be watching. So this may be a non-issue OP!
Definitely agree with others to bring a little bouquet of flowers even if your daughter doesn’t seem super interested in dance.
Anonymous says
You might want to get her a flower/flowers/a stuffie. It’s common around here.