You’ve let her wear dirty socks to school (they passed the smell test) and served Ding Dongs for dinner (only twice).

But when it comes to correspondence, you’re the pillar of propriety, thanks to Heather Bloem.

A graphic designer by trade, her line of custom invitations and announcements are clean and simple, ranging from bright and whimsical to soft and sweet.

Bloem’s fresh designs keep the same old birthday theme from getting stale, while her knack for turning zany ideas into playful invites means your moppet’s creativity (a purple polka-dot platypus party, Mom!) need not be squelched.

She’ll even whip up a batch of thank-you notes, so you’ll be set beginning to end.

Now that doesn’t stink.

Available online at design-roots.net.

ROMP
Fall Family Fun
What: Face painting, the Magic Man, and trick-or-treating at Storybook Playhouses tucker out little monsters.
Why: A scary good time.
When: Trick or treat, Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; other activities, Sat., noon-4 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m.
Where: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Rd. (214-515-6500).

JUMP
Oak Lawn Children’s Fall Festival
What: The Resource Center Dallas sponsors an afternoon of food, crafts, and activities.
Why: Two words — bounce house.
When: Fri., 3-5 p.m.
Where: Oak Lawn Branch Library, 4100 Cedar Springs Rd. (214-670-1359).

BE SAFE
Around Flames
What: Meet firefighters and learn about fire safety through puppets and crafts.
Why: It’s a hot topic.
When: Wed., 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Museum of Nature & Science, 1318 S. Second Ave., science bldg., at Fair Park (214-428-5555).

Photo: Courtesy of Design Roots

You couldn’t fathom scrimping on a crib and just had to have the best bedding.

By the time you got to the walls, you were all out of rations.

If your nursery is in need of affordable art, check out The Doodle Store’s selection of creative canvases. Local graphic designers (and parents) David and Kelly Robinson’s online shop offers bold prints at prices that won’t break the bank (or what’s left of it).

Styles range from flowers to farm animals; there are bugs, boats, teacups, and toy cars to match any decor. Plus, each six-inch-by-six-inch canvas is only $20, so you can afford a complete series.

And that’s something very near and dear to your art.

The Doodle Store (404-343-1372 or thedoodlestore.com). DailyCandy Kids subscribers get 25 percent off with code dailycandy at checkout; valid through February 1.

BARK
Howl-o-Ween Fall Festival
What: Radio Disney, doggie and kiddie costume contests, trick-or-treating, and more.
Why: It’s a pup party.
When: Sat., 1-6 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Atlantic Station, 245 18th St., Midtown (404-876-2616).

HOWL
Scream on the Green
What: An outdoor, costumed, and candy-filled screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Why: Some things are spookier under the stars.
When: Sat., movie starts at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave., Downtown (404-222-7275).

SCRATCH
The 101 Dalmatians Musical
What: A pile of real pups brings the show to life.
Why: The perfect dog day afternoon.
When: Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Thurs., 1 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Northwest Atlanta (770-916-2800).

Photo: Courtesy of The Doodle Store

Discussing the birds and the bees with your kids is a nightmare. But it’s even worse when your own urges vanish. It’s a tough (and hardly talked-about) topic. We turned to sexologist and sexuality educator Logan Levkoff for some answers.

How do you deal when you get the six-week “go ahead” after giving birth but you’re not ready to give the green light?
“Go ahead” simply means that physically you can have sex. But your partner won’t (and can’t) hear it that way. Granted, it’s not his fault. He has no idea what it feels like to have a multipound entity emerge out of his penis. So it’s our job to school them.

Class is in session. Opening remarks?
Most of us want nothing to do with sex until long after six weeks. We’re exhausted, we may still be spotting, and we’re most likely terrified of the potential pain. Let him know where your anxiety comes from and come up with solutions together. Don’t have uncomfortable, partner-pacifying sex.

Let’s talk tatas. I feel like my partner and my baby are in a battle for my boobs.
Whether he likes it or not, if you choose to breastfeed, he loses. Breastfeeding can confuse some men — they begin to think that they aren’t “needed” by us or the kids. But they should think of this as an opportunity to experiment. While one erogenous zone may be off limits, there’s plenty of uncharted territory to explore. (Just remind him that going right for the groin isn’t a turn-on.)

After delivering a baby, sex “feels” different, right?
Having a baby is physically traumatic. If you’re anxious and you tense up, sex is going to suck. You won’t be well lubricated, you won’t be emotionally into it, and your partner will probably sense your hesitation.

Stellar. What can we do to improve between-the-sheets action?
Doctors recommend Kegel exercises. Using lubricant during sex is essential. And a little erotica to get you in the mood doesn’t hurt either.

But sometimes all you want to do after the kids go to bed is put on pajamas and watch Top Chef.
I understand the need to tune out the rest of the world, but that can last only for so long. Sometimes doing it first on your own makes it easier to tackle with someone else.

Wait, you don’t mean … ?
Yes. It gives you an opportunity to remember what pleasure feels like without the pressure of having another person there. After a while, you’ll realize that pleasure is possible again and that you want to experience it with your partner.

Then let nature take its course.

Dreading the sex talk with your kids? Order a copy of Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be: What Your Kids Are Learning About Sex Today online at amazon.com or by e-mailing logan@loganlevkoff.com.

20% off Tiny Prints and Free Address Labels
Halloween costume, check. Thanksgiving plans, check. Holiday cards, uh-oh. No big deal with Tiny Prints. Get 20% off orders over $99 — and a free set of address labels. Enter DCKIDS09 at checkout; valid thru Oct. 29.

Little Bean Shop Launches
The new web outpost of Christine Visneau’s (Baby Bean Vintage and Small Magazine) Dallas shop is an impeccably edited collection of Clover New York and Mini Rotation, plus Visneau’s online design exclusives.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is Awesome!
The first soundtrack from the hit kids’ show features fresh tracks from The Shins, Of Montreal, The Roots, and Biz Markie. If your family isn’t addicted to the show yet, give these songs a whirl. You will be.

Photos: Christopher Watson / Flickr; Courtesy of Tiny Prints; Courtesy of Little Bean; Courtesy of Filter US Recordings

You and the honey used to be hot and heavy.

Now the only time either of you sees second base is at a Little League game.

Good news: Dr. Kevin Light has a fix. Thirtysomething moms stream into Dr. Light’s office with familiar complaints of sluggishness, poor sleep, stubborn pounds, and low sex drive — all signs of a hormonal imbalance exacerbated by the stresses of motherhood.

After a thorough evaluation (two-hour consultation, blood test, a series of pee tests), Light identifies which hormones are out of whack and prescribes a custom mix of supplements and bioidentical hormones to bring you back into synch.

Making you feel sexy again.

Score.

Texas Institute of Functional Medicines, 4001 McEwen Road, suite 102 (972-239-6317 ext. 134 or tifm.com).

Photo: Getty Images

SHOP
Happy Hollydays Bazaar
What: The preschool fundraiser hosts more than 80 vendors hawking clothing, jewelry, and kid stuff galore.
Why: A head start on the holidays.
When: Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Robert S. Hyer Elementary School, 3920 Caruth Blvd. (214-717-7553).

MOVE
Walk, Wag & Run
What: Load up Fido and the pups for a morning race followed by activities like a Howl-O-Ween fair.
Why: Doggone good time.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Winfrey Point, at White Rock Lake, 950 E. Lawther Dr. (214-732-5329).

HEAR
Spooky Symphony
What: Meet the instruments (with cases painted to look like animals) at the petting zoo, then enjoy spooky songs performed by the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
Why: Be scared silly.
When: Sun., 3-4:45 p.m.
Where: Eisemann Center for Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson (972-473-7262).

The fearmongers love Halloween. The 1988 headline: Beware of razor blades in candy bars! In 2009: Excess candy consumption leads to a life of crime!

But what scares you every year is putting together an ensemble that will knock ’em dead.

We asked Where the Wild Things Are costume designer Casey Storm for tips on building a homemade costume box you can use year-round. So you’ll never have to be frightened again.

Get in Character
Don’t limit creativity. If they can imagine a character, it can be part of their repertoire. Begin with the basics — a monster, pirate, princess, scary animal, superhero — to build your costume confidence.

Make It a Family Affair
Boots from your closet work for pirates and superheroes (ditto old tights). Grandma’s fuzzy sweaters make an animal’s furry coat. Grandpa’s outdated specs with popped-out lenses say secret agent, Einstein, or Harry Potter. A vest from a three-piece suit is perfect for a cowboy, cowgirl, or genie. And load up on everyone’s hats. Because hats are cool.

Be Thrifty
Make it a date and hit garage sales with your wee ones for vintage fabrics and jewelry. Things that sparkle turn ordinary items (tees, pants, dresses) into something special.

Stay Close to Home
Old towels and bath sheets can be transformed into capes and cut into strips for armbands and headbands.

And remember, stuffed animals make the best sidekicks.

Where the Wild Things Are opens tomorrow. To find a theater near you, go to fandango.com.

25% off Lil’ Swanky
Get big savings on clothing for lil’ swankies — Lola & James, Kingsley, Little Ella, Okkies, Splendid Littles, and more. Enter code Dckids25; valid thru Oct. 29.

We’ve Got a Case of the Whyzz.com
Kid-friendly explanations to pressing questions, from “Why is grass green?” to “How come I can’t play with my food?” Plus, activities and experiments to reinforce the answers with more than “because I said so.”

Totsy.com Launches
You’re invited to the latest private sale site for kids and moms, where you’ll get 40-70 percent off lines like Kettler, My Vintage Baby, and Twirls & Twigs. Just click the I Have an Invitation Code button, enter DailyCandy in the code field, and fill out your info.

Photos: Matt Nettheim / Courtesy of Where the Wild Things Are; Courtesy of Lil’ Swanky; Courtesy of Whyzz.com; Courtesy of Totsy.com

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet.

But when it comes to charm, DevonRose is no garden-variety collection.

The line’s simple frocks and playful separates are perfect for piling on. Layer the denim dress, with delightful Japanese animal-print trim, with a scarf and leggings. Keep stems warm in denim leggings with lace ruffles that look sweet for any occasion.

Green sportster pants are tough to beat as a staple for the boys.

And when things heat up, the light fabrics transition nicely into spring.

Making each piece a perennial wardrobe addition.

Available at Little Bean, 5308 Junius Street (214-370-9111 or littlebeanshop.com); online at etsy.com.

FIND
The Perfect Pumpkin
What: Spend a day at the farm — catch a hay ride, feed the animals, and pick a pumpky from the patch.
Why: Squash a Saturday.
When: Thru Nov. 7. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, 5518 County Rd. 126, Celina (972-382-4995).

SCORE
A Free Meal
What: Kids eat free at Chipotle Mexican Grill with your purchase of a burrito, bowl, taco, or salad.
Why: Taste-test the new kids’ menu.
When: Sun. Hours vary by location.
Where: To find locations, go to chipotle.com.

SHOP
NPPDS Garage Sale
What: Gently used home decor, clothing, and piles of baby gear for a steal.
Why: Twice as nice.
When: Fri., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: NorthPark Presbyterian Day School, 9555 N. Central Expwy. (214-363-5457).

They say the oral stage ends before preschool. Try telling that to your paci-addicted 3-year-old.

Why not offer up a Better Bottle instead? The latest from Petaluma-based CamelBak, this mini rendition of the popular adult version has no choking parts and can be used for water, juice, or milk. Durable, dishwasher safe, and entirely BPA and phalate free, the clever design vanquishes all seven of the deadly sippy cup sins (toxic, leak prone, ugly, smelly, fragile, boring, and difficult to clean).

The secret sauce here is in the cap, which is fitted with a button-activated pop-up silicone bite valve. To drink, Kiddo flips open the valve and chomps down lightly while sipping or sucking.

Chew on that.

Available at REI, 840 Brannan Street (415-934-1938 or rei.com). To see styles, go to camelbak.com.

Photo: Courtesy of CamelBak

LISTEN
Lit Crawl at Paxton Gate: Edward Gorey Story Hour
What: A free Litquake storytelling event featuring Edward Gorey shorts and readers Em Gift and Michele Menard.
Why: Book it.
When: Sat., 6-7 p.m.
Where: Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia St., b/t 18th & 19th Sts. (415-252-9990).

CELEBRATE
Fiesta on the Hill
What: An annual street fair boasting live music, a dunk tank, and friendly community vibe to benefit the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.
Why: You’re taking it to the streets.
When: Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Cortland Ave., b/t Bennington & Gates Sts.

COOK
Book signing for The Trader Joe’s Companion: a Portable Cookbook
What: Wona Miniati, a local mom behind Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s, dishes on her new take-to-the-store compendium of busy-mom gourmet recipes.
Why: They’re no flash in the pan.
When: Sat., 4 p.m.
Where: Borders Stonestown, 3251 20th Ave., Stonestown Galleria (415-759-2626).

A Saturday-night sitter. Grass-fed beef.

There are certain things you’re willing to pony up for no matter the cost.

A dress for your tiny dancer hasn’t cracked the top ten.

Cancel your Brazilian; Whitten Grey has launched online. The girls’ line uses organic fabrics to create timeless pieces with schoolgirl charm. This season’s collection includes a gray wool jumper, crisp white blouse with Peter Pan collar, and retro bamboo shift dresses.

And though spending $100 (or more) on a frock may be hard to justify, Project Little Grey Dress makes good use of every dime. With every purchase, Whitten Grey gives a dress to a girl in need. And you get to choose the color of the dress, the country of donation, and craft a brief note for the recipient.

Making it worth its weight in gold.

Available online at whittengrey.com.

Photo: Gretchen Easton Photography / Courtesy of Whitten Grey

25% off Hijkids Apparel
Get a crafty discount on tops, bottoms, and dresses from the likes of Saurette and Pink Chicken — includes all sale apparel items. Enter code SWEET25 at checkout; valid thru Oct. 15.

Read for the Record
Join Jumpstart and raise awareness for early childhood education. Sponsor a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a child in need and pledge to read with your littles tonight. You’ll help achieve Jumpstart’s goal of reaching one million kids.

MasonGray Furniture from Ducduc Creators
The team behind the modern nursery line launches a traditional collection with silhouettes rooted in the past. From cribs and changing tables to queen beds and armoires — it’s all manufactured in Connecticut, finished by hand, and designed to last.

Photos: Gretchen Easton / Courtesy of Whitten Grey; Courtesy of Hijkids; Courtesy of Jumpstart; Courtesy of MasonGray

Organic fabrics create timeless pieces with schoolgirl charm. And with every purchase Whitten Grey’s Project Little Grey Dress gives a dress to a girl in need.

Get the full story on Whitten Grey.

Sugar and spice and everything nice? More like snot rockets and sonic stinkers — that’s what kids are made of.

And they want to know why.

Full steam ahead to Grossology: the (Impolite) Science of the Human Body. The inaugural exhibit at Frisco’s Sci-Tech Discovery Center uses hands-on displays to answer sticky questions about the body and its functions.

Kids make like lunch and crawl through a 30-foot-long model of the digestive system, visit the vomit center to discover what makes them hurl (it’s not veggies), and climb a skin wall made of giant moles and warts.

Each of the dozen-plus activities is grossly educational.

And a stinkin’ good time.

Sci-Tech Discovery Center, 8000 North Dallas Parkway, Frisco (972-546-3050 or mindstretchingfun.org).

Photo: Courtesy of Sci-Tech Discovery Center

GO
Fall Roundup at Nash Farm
What: Games and crafts for little pumpkins plus hayrides, a petting zoo, and pony rides.
Why: What the hay.
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: 626 Ball St., Grapevine (817-410-3185).

SEE
Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve
What: Genevieve teaches tots (ages 2-5) about manners and their ABC’s with colorful songs.
Why: Stay on track.
When: Sun., 1:30 & 4 p.m.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, McDavid Studio, 301 E. 5th St., Ft. Worth (817-212-4280).

SING
Happy Birthday to Elsie
What: Toast the Borden spokescow’s 70th birthday with a glass of birthday cake-flavored milk.
Why: It does a body good.
When: Thru Oct. 18. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: State Fair of Texas, Food and Fiber Pavilion, 3921 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (312-929-0504).

Rev your engines. The annual race to get the kids bundled and out the door is on.

In pole position is Stonz, the Canadian-based outfitter that makes easy-on, easy-off booties, mittens, and hats.

Sack-like booties glide over chubby toddler feet and shoes (no need to remove indoor kicks before heading outside). Adjustable toggles at ankle and calf ensure a snug fit, while rubberized soles keep Junior from skidding out of control.

Standard booties come with a fleece liner and are coated to fend off wind and rain. Need more protection? The company also makes extra-plush Sherpa-fleece liners.

Mittens handle just as well, with no menacing thumb slots for tots under 2. Wide openings at the wrist (with toggles for tightening) mean no pit crew is needed to get them on (and keep them there).

Add a fleece hat for the victory lap.

And it’s full speed ahead.

Available online at stonzwear.com.

25% off DwellStudio Toys
Stuff toy boxes (and stockings, if you’re a planner) with Dwell’s newest bear, owl, or bunny plush animals. Plus, save on mind blocks, stacking rings, magnetic animals, soft blocks, and animal pillows. Enter code DAILYCANDY09 at checkout. Dwell on this too long and you’ll miss out; valid thru Oct. 8.

Juice Box Heroes CD
They’ve taken your favorite tunes (“Sweet Caroline,” “Material Girl,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It”), retitled them (“Sweet Clementines,” “Cheerio World,” “We Are Going to Bake It”), and added clever new lyrics for little rockers.

bTrendie Online Sample Sale
Invitation-only private sale site for moms, babes, and kids now open for business. Check out deals from the likes of Chaiken Maternity, Maxi-Cosi car seats, and Quinny strollers. Enter invitation code DCKids on homepage.

Photos: Courtesy of Stonz; Courtesy of DwellStudio; Courtesy of Juice Box Heroes; Courtesy of bTrendie