Thanks to everyone who casted their votes through our website and through Facebook for your favorite tagline!  We have counted the votes and narrowed it down to the Top 3.  We will be taking a few days to pick our favorite and will announce a winner next week.  

We would still love to have your feedback!  Let us know what you think and why!

By: Gary M. DellaPosta, CPA

Children who receive investment income are subject to special tax rules that affect how parents must report a child's investment income. Some parents can include their child's investment income on their tax return while other children may have to file their own tax return. If a child cannot file his or her own tax return for any reason, such as age, the child's parent or guardian is responsible for filing a return on the child's behalf.

Here's what you need to know about tax liability and your child's investment income. 

1. Investment income normally includes interest, dividends, capital gains and other unearned income, such as from a trust. 

2. Special rules apply if your child's total investment income in 2015 is more than $2,100 ($2,000 in 2014). The parent's tax rate may apply to a part of that income instead of the child's tax rate. 

3. If your child's total interest and dividend income are less than $10,500 ($10,000 in 2014), then you may be able to include the income on your tax return. If you make this choice, the child does not file a return. Instead, you file Form 8814, Parents' Election to Report Child's Interest and Dividends, with your tax return. 

4. If your child received investment income of $10,500 or more in 2015 ($10,000 in 2014), then he or she will be required to file Form 8615, Tax for Certain Children Who Have Investment Income of More Than $2,100, with the child's federal tax return for tax year 2015. 

In addition, starting in 2013, a child whose tax is figured on Form 8615, Tax for Certain Children Who Have Unearned Income, may be subject to the Net Investment Income Tax. NIIT is a 3.8 percent tax on the lesser of either net investment income or the excess of the child's modified adjusted gross income that is over a threshold amount.

Name of Business: Kensington’s at Mashpee Commons & MakeItPersonalNow.com
Name of Owner:  Daniel J. Collins

1.)    How long have you lived on Cape Cod?
Lived in Mashpee Since 1973 summers.  Year round since 2005

2.)    When and why did you start your business?
Kensington’s at Mashpee Commons has been in business for 19 consecutive years. May 2014 Daniel became the primary partner. MakeItPersonalNow.com started 7/14 manufacturing welcome mats, signs, and unique quality items for anniversary, wedding related gifts that are personalized to order.

3.)    What do you LOVE most about your job?
The people, the quality products and making a positive difference in everyone’s life (if possible) 

4.)    How does your business help/impact local families?
Through many charitable contributions, special events and community involvement 

5.)    In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing Cape Cod Families?
Gaining urban diversity experience in a primarily summer resort community environment 

6.)    If you had to pick your favorite local spot on Cape Cod (not a business), where would you pick and why?   
Boating on Nantucket Sound.   In my opinion it offers the true essence of Cape Cod living being on the water 

7.)    Please offer a tip for our Mom Audience: 
Take time for yourself and shop its good for you! ☺

8.)    Any other information you would like us to share? (Upcoming events? Awards? Anything you think our community would find useful, Etc)

7/29 Cape Cod Mom event at Kensington’s  6 -8pm

8/1 Vera Bradley’s daughter will be at Kensington’s in support of Breast Cancer Awareness 5-7pm

8/14 Cape Cod Needy Fundraiser at Kensington’s 5-7pm

11/5 Night of Hope Luminaria Event with the American Cancer Society 4-9pm at Kensington’s and Mashpee Commons featuring Shop and Dine for a Cause

Successful Children 3 of 4
Signs of Success in Young Children
By Tracy Lamperti, LMHC, BCETS
Lamperti Counseling & Consultation


The first post in this series focused on catering to the every need of our infant and baby.  

The second post in this series focused on the Parental Shift as we begin to show and to teach your little ones that they can capture the thunder by having the feeling of accomplishing something on their own.

In this third post, the focus is instilling awesome habits.

10 Habits of Successful Children Parents Can Instill

1. Sleep in the dark and quiet.  

Schedules are so variable these days with parents working opposite schedules or there being only one parent in the home.  In both of these cases, families are “just getting by” when it comes to getting everything done.  Healthy meals, family time and bedtime routines can become sketchy.  All too often, parents are just exhausted and are willing to lay down, and even fall asleep in their child’s bed, or just let it be if the child ends up in bed with them.  Sometimes, to avoid this in order to get the dishes done, or for the parents to go “off mommy/daddy duty” parents will put a TV in the child’s room, or a tablet, etc. and let IT lull the child to sleep.  In this case, we have children whose brain doesn’t learn to go into rest mode.  There is noise, often times the noise is topic related, rather than “white noise,” which means the child’s mind is at work on what they are hearing.  There is light, and not even steady dim nightlight light, but flickering light, which comes through even closed eyelids.  This is not good for children on so many levels


      2. Know how to laugh.

Children who have a good sense of humor, channeled appropriately are more fun to be around, bring people together, stimulate positive social interaction and are all around happier.  Happy children have more energy and more ideas.  We are not talking about the foolish, amoral laugh topics, such as Sponge Bob and we are not talking about children with disruptive laughter.  As parents, we need to encourage children to express themselves, but understand that we need to safeguard them from becoming overly silly at inopportune times.  That will drive people away.


      3. Learn to turn frustrations into curiosities.

A child who will try and try again is often this way by nature.  They are the child who you find in the hall trying to tie their shoes because they saw and another child tying their shoes.  Those who aren’t that way by nature, we as parents can help them develop this muscle.  By not always being in a rush, we can teach them that we have time to show them how to learn to tie their shoes.  When they are a bit slower at the dinner table, we will show them that it will all work out and we can encourage them along.  A child who can organized the game on the playground will be a successful child.


      4. Listen and observe others.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  ~James 1:19

It is good when we take time to be patient, good listeners to our children.  But that’s not enough.  We have to teach them by example AND by telling them and cuing them.  For some children this comes naturally, but other children need to be guided in the moment until they get a feel for the give and take of communication.


      5.  Never step over someone to get to where they want to be.

A child should be taught that everyone has a gift and something to offer and that they should never trample on another person’s idea or feelings.  Being patient and humble are excellent qualities to be imparting to our children.


      6.   Realize that presenting themselves well in dress, speech and manners will earn them more opportunities and open more doors.  

Back in “my day”…on Sunday we wore our Sunday best to church.  Now it isn’t uncommon to see people, young and old, wearing any old thing for clothes, tucked in or not, clean or not, and crocks on their feet.  I see young people who have no idea that they are even supposed to look their best when they go on a job interview, or to church.  Going to school, we wanted to look our best and weren’t even allowed to wear shorts.  A job interview may not matter for 10 years, but when these ideas have already been instilled, they come much more naturally.


        7. See failure not as a dirty word, but as an experience to learn from.  

The late Jim Rhon gave the following example; A guy sets a bar so high and says, who wants to jump over it?  Lots of people say, “No, I can’t jump that high.”  Some people say, “I’ll give it a try.”  They knock the bar over and go sit down.  A third group says, “I’ll give it a try!”  They knock it over and immediately get filled with new energy and motivation to try again with a different strategy!  


          8. Experience that being disciplined feels bad, but that the person who is disciplining them will help them grow out of the behavior that was disciplined and show them new ways of conquering things.  

Our children are going to make mistakes, we just don’t want to leave them there in the mistake.  We need to help them collect more tools in their toolbox. 


         9.  Learns how to use their imagination.  We see table and chairs, they see a fort.

Practice asking your child to think of “possibilities” in a situation.  We are always solving things for our children.  


         10.  Have an analog clock in the main area of the house and are taught how to tell time.

A child who doesn’t understand the passage of time and how to manage it is linked to the parent for everything.  This is one of those examples of “knowledge is power.”  Digital clocks should be banned from the child’s view.

What an amazing future lies ahead for your child!

Each year since 2012 we have been fortunate to attend King Richards Faire as guests of the realm. We’ve had such great times at the faire. Some of our favorite parts of the Faire are seeing the Prince & Princess Contest and the joust, eating turkey legs, attending the fabulous music and shows and much more.  We love visiting the vendors as well and last year even purchased a piece for our outfit to attend this year! Each year we find something fantastic and something new! We cannot wait to see what is going to be at the Faire this year and this will be the FIRST year we will actually go in full costume!!! Check out our past visits.

 King Richard’s Faire 2012
 King Richard’s Faire 2013  
2nd Review Blog 2013 by Meghan
 King Richard’s Faire 2014
King Richard's Faire Meghan's 2014 Experience

This year we have a family four pack of tickets for Opening Weekend (Sept 5-7, 2015) to give away. Please enter below!

2015 Schedule of Events
Sept 4-6: Opening Weekend
Sept 5:    Carver Day
Sept 6:    Military Appreciation Day
Sept 12:  Cleavage Contest
Sept 19:  Vow Renewals
Sept 26:  Game of Thrones Contest
Oct 3:      Prince & Princess Parade
Oct 10:    The Highlands Hunks Contest
Oct 17:    Fairies & Pirates Parade
Oct 24:    Adult Costume Contest
Oct 25:    Final Drum Jam

KING RICHARD’S FAIRE INVITES YOU TO ESCAPE REALITY, COME TO THE FAIRE

King Richard’s Faire, New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance Faire, announces its 2015 season, to run September 5 through October 25, 2015 on weekends and Monday holidays (Labor Day, Columbus Day). Tucked away on 80 acres of enchanted forest off Rt. 58 in Carver, Mass., King Richard’s Faire announces its 34th season offering guests a full day of live, interactive entertainment for all ages. Guests will enjoy daring knights jousting on horseback and eight stages filled with song and dance, stunts and storytelling. Every Saturday afternoon, the King’s Stage offers themed contests and events to add variety to the festival-like entertainment lineup (see kingrichardsfaire.net for details).

Guests can mingle with the King and his royal court, noble and not-so-noble subjects and skilled performers. When as famished as a mud beggar, enjoy the Faire’s delicious spit-roasted turkey legs, buttery ears of corn, boules filled with chowder and stew, ringlets of fries, and quench thirst with champagne, wine and brew. Shoppers can stroll through the 16th century village filled with the wares of more than 100 unique and talented artisans, including New England artists. At every turn, guests will encounter fantasy and wonder through minstrels, musicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, giant puppets, wenches, and more.

Faire hours are 10:30a-6p every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays, from September 5th through October 25, 2015. Tickets are $29 for adults (12+) and $16 for children ages 4-11. Children under 4 are free, and parking is free. Discounts given to groups of 25 adults or more and private parties can be accommodated (birthdays, vow renewal ceremonies, weddings). Groups may make reservations by emailing info@kingrichardsfaire.net. The Faire is located at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330, phone is 508-866-5391, email info@kingrichardsfaire.net.

Visit King Richard’s Faire on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram @KRFaire, and on Pinterest as well.

Since it is almost time to go Back to School here on Cape Cod and in the surrounding areas, we wanted to do something a little special!  We are offering a FLASH Sale on our ShopLocal Club memberships. Starting today and continuing through September 7, 2015 at 9pm, we will be offering ShopLocal Memberships for only $10 so that you can take advantage of some of these amazing deals before summer ends!  

Only $10!


An added bonus to this great deal is that if you have signed up as a ShopLocal member prior to Nov 1, 2015, you will receive a renewal letter and DISCOUNT COUPON for the 2016 year!  This is an amazing opportunity!  Just click below and your membership will be sent out as soon as we get it! 
Remember Shop Local, Save Local Cape Cod!

Thank you for all the entries for the Cape Cod Moms Tagline Contest. We had some really amazing submissions and plenty of unique entries to pick from. However, it was really difficult to pick our favorites.  Upon scrolling down in a minute, we are sure you will understand why.  

We are asking our community to give us their opinion so that we can help choose a tagline that best represents our organization and also who we are as a resource.  We know the parents out there reading this will choose wisely and we look forward to seeing what you think!

Starting today and continuing until August 27th at 11:56pm EST, we want our fans and our community to help us narrow down the Top Ten Taglines to only three.  Once the community has had their voice heard, we will share the Top Three Entries while we make a decision. A winner will be announced on September 1, 2015. 

How To Vote:
Take a look at the entries below.  You can vote 2 ways:

1.) Visit our Cape Cod Moms Tagline Contest Facebook Album, and “Like” your favorites in order to cast your vote. (This contest is not affiliated with Facebook)

2.) Vote by commenting on this blog post with your favorite entry. (Any person that casts a vote more than once for the same entry will be disqualified.)

For more information on the Tagline Contest rules click here.

Name of Business: The Friendship Garden Nursery School, Inc.
Name of Owner(s): Robin Hewitt Jones, Owner   & Katherine Kuusela, Director

1) How long have you lived on Cape Cod?
I was born and raised on Cape Cod.

2) When and why did you start your business?
In 1995 the owners of The Little Red Schoolhouse were retiring. I had worked for them for 9 years. They tried to sell the business and in June closed it. I went out into the field and did not like my prospects. I was telling my Dad this and he said “buy it”. It took just a month and the deal was made and Friendship Garden opened in September of 1995.

3) What do you LOVE most about your job?
 I love being on the floor with the children. I wish I could do it all day long.

4) How does your business help/impact local families?
We hope good child care options help to keep young families on the Cape.

5) In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing Cape Cod Families?
 Well-paying jobs, young families leaving and substance abuse.

6) .)  If you had to pick your favorite local spot on Cape Cod (not a business), where would you pick and why?
 I would pick the Shining Sea Bikeway. The landscape is beautiful and varied from beach, to estuary and bog, to down town.  Woods Hole is such a fun destination for all ages.

7) Please offer a tip for our Mom Audience:
Mom tip. Practice good communication skills, it will have a positive impact on every area of life!

8) Any other information you would like us to share?
We have public play days, the first Monday each month from 9:30-10:30 AM. Members of the community may come let their child play while they view our school. There is a limit of one day per customer. Please call to schedule a date or to request more information. 508-540-6394.

Business: Emerald Eye Photography
Owner: Cathie Harrington

1.)    How long have you lived on Cape Cod?

 I moved to the Cape in 1982, when I was four years old, and went to Hyannis East and Barnstable High School. During college, I moved off-Cape and then out of state for a few years.  Some people say I'm not a "true Cape Codder" since I wasn't born here, but I like to think of myself as one! Like most kids that grow up on the Cape, I was eager to get over the bridge and see the big cities, but once I did, I realized how much I missed living on Cape Cod, and my wife and I moved back in 2008 - we don't plan on leaving again!

2.)    When and why did you start your business?

 When I went to Bridgewater State College, I took a few photography classes - but it was back in the film age...We had to develop our photos in a dark room, which was interesting, but also a lot of work! About seven years ago, I picked up a DSLR and haven't turned back. I started with a pretty basic camera and the kit lens, and have upgraded every year or so since. Emerald Eye Photography officially launched about three years ago, and it's fun to look back and see how much I've grown since then.

3.)    What do you LOVE most about your job?

 Normally, I'm kind of a quiet person; I really like people, but I prefer to keep to myself often. Through photography, I feel like I have to lead with the side of me that connects to others - I think my quieter ways allow me to capture some of the small moments that others may miss. I love meeting all of my clients and their families and seeing what is unique about their stories. I really love being able to capture a fleeting moment in a way that will stay with them forever.

4.)    How does your business help/impact local families?

 Emerald Eye Photography has been attempting to help local families by preserving their favorite memories for them - I often run mini-sessions for folks that may not want to commit to a package deal at first. Last winter, I participated in the Diaper Derby at the Cape Cod Mall and raffled off a free family session. More recently, I was a preferred vendor during Family Week in Provincetown and I helped to capture moments for many LGBT families on vacation.  If you follow my Facebook page, you'll see the most recent photos. I care a lot about Cape Cod families, and really want to help in any way I can - if you have any suggestions, let me know!

5.)    In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing Cape Cod Families?

 The Cape has changed a lot since I got here 33 years ago - in both good and bad ways! I could probably list many serious challenges, but I'll keep it light, and stick with the lack of a Target as a pretty big challenge!

6.)    If you had to pick your favorite local spot on Cape Cod (not a business), where would you pick and why?

 It is almost impossible for me to pick one favorite spot on the Cape. I've worked as a home care therapist recently, and because of that, I've gotten to see more of the Cape than I ever had before! I can't say I have one spot - it's more of a place that gives you the feeling of going on forever - the edge of any beach - right before you hit the water, the top of the Provincetown monument - where you can see down the Cape and off-Cape, on the ferry over to the Islands - when all you see is ocean. I think I just like the feeling of freeness that the Cape allows.

7.)    Please offer a tip for our Mom Audience:

 Since I'm not a Mom myself, this is a tough one for me, but having nieces and nephews, I would say to enjoy every moment that you can with your kids. I've seen my little, tiny, newborn nephew turn into a thirteen year old overnight! I remember the funny little things he did as a baby, and the cute little details of his nursery, but I'm sure my sister would've loved to have had them captured to share with him now. There's a quote going around that this generation growing up will be the most photographed, but will not have any prints to show for it - so many people take photos every day on their phones, but never print and frame them. Even if you don't have professional photos taken, make sure you capture some memories of your own. I remember my family sitting around my parent's house not too long ago, going through shoeboxes of photos, realizing it's something that kids today may never do!

8.)    Any other information you would like us to share? 

 I'm going to be sending out information about fall mini-sessions soon, so if you would like to sign up for emails, please contact me at cathie@emeraldeyephoto.com. Also, I'm REALLY looking forward to launching a new session and I need some volunteers - If anyone out there on the Cape or South Shore is pregnant with a due date between September and November, I would love to talk to you! I'm going to be offering "Fresh 48" sessions starting this fall, and I'm looking for some Moms that would allow me to come in and capture their brand-new little one! I'll be giving away a portfolio-buidling session, and then offering discounts on a few others if anyone is interested! The Fresh 48 session occurs within the first two days of your babies life - in the hospital! It doesn't involve posing and having to look perfect, but has more a documentary feel. I would come by when your family is ready, and capture the little details of your newborn, some great photos of the family snuggling in close, and all of the magic of those first few days of life. I'd also love to be there when your littlest one meets a sibling if it occurs. If you're interested, please email me and let me know. I'm so excited to be offering this and can't wait to have some images to showcase!

By: Rebekah Thomson, Pediatric Sleep Coach

Happy August to all,

Hope your families have been able to enjoy the abundant sunshine and summer action. Life with 3 young ones has proven to be as fabulous – and as full on – as friends had promised. So I apologize for writing so little recently.

Here are a few more tips for your infant’s sleep. If you missed the first five, please click here 

Infant Sleep Tip #6: Encourage soothing techniques other than feeding.

When we hear our babies crying, many parents and caregivers instinctively reach for a bottle or the breast. While comfort feedings can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your little one, it’s important to remember that we have lots of options in our soothing toolbox. This can be a game changer for nursing moms, who were feeling like they were walking pacifiers, partners of nursing moms who were feeling inadequate because they didn’t have the “secret weapon,” and all caregivers who were feeling like they were perpetually overfeeding their baby just to keep them from crying. 

So what are our options? Wear your baby, swing, rock, swaddle, sing, shush, offer a pacifier, massage, take a walk outside, repetitive soothing sounds or music, bounce, or let a partner, friend, or grandparent try their luck. Sometimes a change of chemistry or scenery is all it takes.

If you haven’t found a carrier that is comfortable for you yet, make that one of your first goals. Many swear by the k’tan wrap, Ergo (the new Ergo 360 allows for a forward facing hold as well as all the other positions, which is great when your baby is eager to check out the world), the Beko Gemini, or Moby wrap. As some carriers are expensive, try out friends’, buy a slightly used one, or go to a local store where the salespeople have real know-how. If all the options are overwhelming, I strongly recommend www.carrymeaway.com. The website offers excellent explanations as well as an online form you can fill out for a personalized recommendation from the Sling Lady. They also offer email and phone support and free returns, making it super parent friendly. Laurel was a great support to my family in helping us find carriers that would be comfortable for both my husband (who is 6’2”) and me.

Dr. Harvey Karp in Happiest Baby on the Block offers detailed explanations for the benefits of the 5 S’s – swaddling, side or stomach, shushing, swing, and sucking. Some babies may benefit from all of them done simultaneously, while many babies are comforted by one or two of these techniques.

There is no one size fits all here. Each baby has preferences and naturally those preferences will change over the course of the day, weeks, and months. But mixing it up and trying new techniques can be hugely liberating. 


Contact Rebekah Thomson for your Sleep Needs! Rebekah Thomson Counting Sheep Pediatric Sleep Coaching rebekahjthomson@gmail.com  (917) 455-3054