these are the people in our neighborhood

if you grew up watching mr. rogers, you're familiar with his theme song.  as corny as it might sound now, rogers was a legendary children's advocate and educator and his positive messaging still resonates today. 

one of his main messages, is the importance of community and getting to know and supporting your neighbors. we've been here in the south end for over a year now and are lucky to be part of a community of small business owners and residents.

one of our amazing neighbors is the boston ballet, and we've so enjoyed getting to know the teachers, dancers and adorable ballerinas who come around the corner for a visit.

among these new friends are john lam and kathleen breen combes--best friends who joined the boston ballet almost 15 years ago. 

now the principal dancers are both married with children and like many of us, are and working hard at balancing home life with work life. we love when they sneak off to come visit us in between rehearsals to shop for their littles.

lam (and his husband john ruggieri) appreciate the hand-picked, environmentally- conscious selection of garments available at kodomo to outfit their adorable sons giovanni(4) and santino francesco(2) with. 

"ethically-made clothing is important to us as a family unit as we are hoping to instill consciousness for the environment and mother  earth to our boys," lam shared with us.

this fall, the foursome is looking forward to  visiting the animals at billings farm in vermont, apple picking and pie making and pumpkin carving. 

combes has a gorgeous 18-month old daughter, cora marie, with her husband and retired ballet dancer, yury yanowski. 

little cora is known to try on mom's shoes, chat on her faux cell phone, sing at the top of her lungs and twirl in circles like mommy does on stage! 

kathleen is also a fan of ethically-made clothing and has often asked if we offer adult sizes (as do many of our clients!)

"it makes me feel better knowing i am buying quality, ethically-made clothing and supporting businesses that care about their children as much as i care about mine," she told us.  some of cora's favorite pastimes with mommy include playing peek-a-boo and having epic dance parties. and we love a good dance party, especially when it involves tutus!

kathleen and john were recently in the store and picked out their favorite fall looks for littles.  being a father of two active boys, john knows all too well the importance of comfortable clothing!  you'll see john's kids decked out in popupshop organic baggy pants, and nununu ultra soft cotton tees while apple picking.  as for little cora, she'll be dancing away in style wearing her cozy motoreta sweater paired with motoreta culottes that feature a ruffle skirt (think: tutu meets skort).

john lam's picks from top left: nununu numbered tee shirt $48, nununu cape in heather grey $83, popupshop organic white leo baggy leggings $53, akid anthony high-top pony hair sneakers reg $90 on sale $40 

kathleen combes' picks left to right: motoreta luz sweatshirt $47, motoreta elina baby short $51, tinycottons lamas knee high socks $22