The Possibilities and Anticipation

Every time Amaya and I visit Amaya Papaya she ask if we are bringing the toys over and if the kids are coming today. I gently remind her that Mr. Scott (our contractor; All Phase Construction) and his guys have to finish the build out before we can invite people in to play. She is very excited about all the possibilities that await her with the opening of Amaya Papaya.

Due to build out delays, our opening has been pushed back. I have now set a tentative grand opening for June 27, 2009. In the event that we are able to open before, I will keep you posted with the new date.

I am very thankful for all of your inquiries and well wishes about Amaya Papaya. It really helps me to know that there is a need for a place like this in our community. I will do my best to make sure that Amaya Papaya is a place that you will want to visit often and experience genuine organic experiences with your child.

Many of you have asked about ways that you can be involved with the evolution of Amaya Papaya. There are so many things to be done. If you would like to be involved in one of the following ways please contact me:

Like new Costume Exchange- do you have a dress up costume that your little one has not used since forever ago? We will give you 1 free admission coupon for each gently used costume that we are able to use. (we need 10 costumes)

Storytime reader- volunteer to read a book during our weekly story time. Time TBA.

Store setup- Are you good at putting furniture together? We will be setting up soon and would love to have a few people help.

Tell us about it! - Know of a cool item we should sell at Amaya Papaya?
Know of a cool program we should offer at Amaya Papaya?

Remember to PLAY!

Yolonda
Amaya's momfk

What does that mean?

As we take time to reflect on the importance of Mothering I would like to share with you my inspiration for the Amaya Papaya name and logo. AMAYA PAPAYA is a TERM OF ENDEARMENT FOR MY DEAREST DAUGHTER (and best business partner ever) Amaya, whom just happens to be so Fabulous and we LOVE her.

When I was pregnant with Amaya I dreaded the thought of getting STRETCH MARKS!! It was not until 2 days before I gave birth that the first stretch mark appeared, from that moment on they spread like wild fire! I was devastated (or so I thought, vain I know).

Once Amaya was born my favorite song to sing to her was MY GIRL by the Temptations. The first line was so true..."I got SUNSHINE on a cloudy day".... Amaya was truly my SUNSHINE in the mist of anything that I was going through as a new mom.

When Amaya began to speak she would ask me about the boo boo's on my belly. I would tell her that they where not boo boo's at all. I began telling her that the stretch marks where SUN RAYS that I was blessed with when she was inside my belly.

As I began to think of a logo for Amaya Papaya I thought that nothing would be more fitting than the SUNSHINE to represent Amaya and every other child that a parent has been blessed with.

Ask Amaya....she will tell you how she put the SUNSHINE on mommy's belly!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

We Have Color!

Spring has Sprung

So much has happen in last last month I can hardly contain myself!

We finally got the funding to begin the process of getting Amaya Papaya open. I received the keys for the space and put the logo/coming soon banners in the window. I am currently awaiting approval from the "powers that be" to begin the build out and then major movement will begin to take place in the space. After the said approvals happen I can begin planning our Grand Opening, which I hope to announce in the upcoming weeks. This dream to to open a place where parents can play with their little ones in a safe, age appropriate environment is becoming a reality. I could not be happier to share this experience and my enthusiasm with you. I look forward to seeing our kids playing and learning together.

While doing some research this week I came across this article titled "The Serious Need for Play". As a counselor and especially a mom this validates my belief about the importance of play for everyone especially our children. Check out the article by clicking the link below.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-serious-need-for-play


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Our new space

Peace and Blessings,

Yolonda
Amaya's Mom

The evolution of a new movement

It has been such a humbling journey creating and preparing for the opening of Amaya Papaya. I am delighted about the community forming around me and know that we are creating a space that will benefit all of us. I would like to thank everyone that has signed up to be on our contact list, spread the word about Amaya Papaya or provided support in some way to this project thus far.

At this time we have secured a space in the Casselberry Collection Plaza on Highway17-92(near Publix). It is a 2300 square foot space that is sure to be filled with positive energy and love. We are working with a local bank and we are now in the waiting stage to access the funds to finance the project.

Unfortunately due to the situation with the banks nationally, we have been delayed in beginning the build out process. Rest assured we will begin soon! We are working with a builder who has created plans for the space (I will upload the plans soon). We also have a complete list of equipment and toys waiting to be ordered or stored away waiting to be placed in the space as soon as the build out is complete.

I have met and talked to some awesome people over the past year that want to provide workshops, classes, retail items and other exciting services and/or products at Amaya Papaya. The services and/or products planned promise to be informative, eclectic,entertaining, beneficial and uplifting.

If you would like more information or want to be a part of the Amaya Papaya movement in some way, please log onto the website, sign up to be on the contact list or email me for more information.

Peace and Harmony

Yolonda,
Amaya's Mom