I’m in the thick of my baby era. Just take a glance at my camera roll, google search history, or laundry room. This also means I’m in peak “research and test” mode on products across baby categories—currently it’s everything from chic baby gates to best diapers for sensitive skin.

I always try to shop mindfully when investing in new brands and I just can’t help but care about aesthetics along the way. (I’ve tried!) This led me to discover Dyper’s new line of Charcoal Enhanced Diapers. They’re eco-friendly, absorbent, super soft, and make a fun fashion statement.

I love reading reviews, so naturally writing one brings me great joy. 

To start, why would one choose a charcoal-enhanced diaper? I asked the same question. 

Why Charcoal?

My first introduction to charcoal as an ingredient was during the “activated charcoal toothpaste” era, and soon after, the deodorant boom. I quickly remembered that the antifungal, antibacterial, and detoxifying properties were the big “a ha” sell in the hygiene categories, and it makes a lot of sense to now be introduced in the disposable diaper category as well. The filtering and odor-fighting properties also give the diapers the distinctive black color that Dyper touts.

My husband and I took our roles as diaper testers very seriously. With the exaggerated care of food critics analyzing presentation, smell, and every burst of flavor a dish presents, we unpacked, unfolded, and evaluated the look, feel, and performance of these hypoallergenic diapers. It was fun! Luckily our son isn’t old enough to make fun of us (yet).

On to our top takeaways…

Soft, Absorbent & Great for Sensitive Skin 

I’ll admit I was nervous to try something new because my son’s skin is quite sensitive. And with the change of the season, we were told by our pediatrician to anticipate extra sensitivity. We’ve been exclusively using these charcoal enhanced diapers for five days now, and not a rash in sight. 

My husband’s first words when we unpacked the (very chic) Dyper box was, “Wow, quality.” We held the charcoal enhanced diaper in one hand, and one of our big box brand diapers in the other—wow indeed. Dyper was super soft and flexible unlike our current diaper, which suddenly felt so plastic-y and stiff. 

Running down the list of other stand-out qualities: They’re free from chlorine, latex, alcohol, perfumes, PVC, lotions, TBT, and Phthalates. Things I definitely don’t want hugging my baby’s sensitive skin. 

And in the ultimate test – no leaks overnight! Our son has been sleeping through the night (praise be!), but that means extra full diapers in the morning, and with it, an occasional “scent” in the room. Here comes the power of charcoal with filtering and odor fighting properties. Yes, please!

 

Flexible Sizing & Comfortable Stretch

We’re currently “in-between” diaper sizes. Has this happened to you? It can be a real mess, literally and figuratively. My son is 14 pounds which places him in both size 1 and size 2 sizing. After a lot of mental debate (typical me), I chose size 2 hoping he wouldn’t be swimming in extra fabric with a loose fit.  

Luckily I made the right choice, though I think I would have been safe either way as the entire front strip of the diaper is a super-soft attachment area zone, which lets you shift the fit to what you need. We were able to readjust easily to find the right spot for us without any issue, or any bagginess. A huge plus! 

My little guy is also constantly on the move, and I found that Dyper really stretches with him, in the way you want. 

baby with sensitive skin crawling in a charcoal enhanced diaper from Dyper

Mindful, Eco-conscious, and Chic

“Oh hey, fancy” was the reception we got from his teachers as we walked into his infants classroom at school with a sleeve of charcoal enhanced diapers in hand.

“They’re crafted in Japan.” I said with equally a cheeky tone.

When I shared that in addition to being a fun fashion statement, this was a clean, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly diaper brand their interest really peaked.

Our Dyper box arrived just in time for the University of Georgia football game. For the rest of the season, our little babe will be able to sport our school colors of red and black, just like his dad. Very cute.


Of course, I’ve snapped so many pictures of him in his new chic baby briefs and shared them with my family through the
Tinybeans app…instant hearts and comments! “Proud great grandma of a little fashion model” was my favorite.

From one new mom to the next, it’s a thumbs up on this one. Dyper’s Charcoal Enhanced Diapers check the boxes on quality, comfort, functionality and eco-responsibility.

Now, on to find chic baby gates…


Whether you’re looking to join a CSA, find a new favorite restaurant or buy science-inspired, kid-designed clothes for your crew, these local businesses are here to help

Seattle is one of those cities where people buy local whenever they can. And February is a great time to recommit to supporting local and small when you shop at some of the best Black-owned businesses in Seattle. From restaurants, CSAs and grocery delivery to fitness studios and beauty products, these enterprising companies have kids and families in mind.

These Black-Owned Businesses in Seattle Are Fun for Families

black-owned-businesses-seattle-poptastic
Kariba Photography

MsKariba Suite | Balloon Bar Boutique
We’re crushing hard on this balloon bar and party supply store in West Seattle. Consider it your go-to spot for creative balloon installations that’ll really make your kiddo’s birthday party (or that baby shower you’re throwing next month) pop. Families can order balloon bundles and garlands, plus just about every individual balloon you can think of online. Or you can stop by the shop to talk inspired ideas with owner Kariba Jack. Orders should be placed two weeks in advance; delivery options are still in the works. 

3860 Delridge Way S.W.
Seattle
Online: itspoptastic.com

Orion Razat
A different spin on Black-owned businesses in Seattle, we're all about celebrating and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of Seattle's own Orion Razat, author of 101 STEM Jokes. Published when he was barely out of grade school, it’s a book of silly puns and one-liners Orion wrote to entertain his classmates (much to the chagrin of his teacher). With the help of his parents, he was able to bring them all together in this entertaining book. You can follow Orion on Instagram @rocketshipsquid to see what he's up to next (hint: he's working on a second book) and buy his science-inspired merch too.

Find it: $11 at amazon.com

seattle black owned businesses
Lauren Bernstein

Local Yokels
When local farmer’s markets shut down due to the pandemic, ag-heads Amber and Damon had a brilliant idea, and another Black-owned business in Seattle was born. They would bridge the gap by working with local farms to deliver fresh produce and other products directly to doorsteps in Seattle. Voila! Local Yokels was born. With a focus on sustainability, be it environmental or economic, families can feel good about using this service to get groceries, meats, gift baskets, self-care products, and more delivered. Our suggestion? Their subscription boxes make it easy to always have the staples on hand so you can skip the store on those unavoidably busy days.

Online: local-yokels.com

Clean Greens Farm & Market
With spring and summer CSA season just around the corner, you might be on the lookout for a local farm to support. This year, order your fresh produce from Clean Greens Farm & Market, a non-profit founded in 2007 that's owned and operated by folks in the Central District. In addition to the weekly market, full and half produce shares, they also have a youth program that addresses food justice issues that affect BIPOC kids. As part of the Clean Greens Youth Program, kids ages 4-12 can learn about healthy living and sustainable farming with hands-on experiences.

Online: cleangreensfarmmarket.com

Estelita's Library
If you love books, people, and social justice, we’ve discovered the perfect hangout spot. Estelita’s Library is a justice-focused community library and bookstore. Its mission is to foster a community space for people to build and learn through thoughtful interactions with each other. This unique space features a curated community bookstore and library with titles focused on social justice, ethnic studies, and liberation movements. It adopts a community library model where members join and pay an annual fee to borrow books. Yearly memberships are available on a sliding scale. Bonus: The community library also hosts book talks, classes, meetings, history lessons, and more.

2533 16th Ave. S.
Seattle
Online: estalitaslibrary.com

Uniquely Savvy

Uniquely Savvy
Mom boss makeover, anyone? Kim at Uniquely Savvy can help. Her styling services save parents time and money by keeping them “tailored to the task.” Not sure what to wear for your body type or shape? Kim knows. And when it comes to your personal brand, she works with women to drill down and get to the heart of who they are, defining their strengths and talents so they’re seen and heard for the right reasons. It’s all about building confidence so you can look and do your best, no matter what professional (or personal) role you have.

Online: uniquelysavvy.com

Gresham Financial
Gresham Financial owner and dad, Isaiah Gresham knows how important financial planning and peace of mind are to families, whether you're on your first or fourth (or beyond!) baby. And that's what families will find when they work with Gresham Financial to prepare annual taxes or plan for college tuition or private school fees. We think it's cool that Gresham even teaches financial best practices to kids and teens. It's never too early to learn.

1700 Westlake Ave. N., Suite 200
Seattle
Online: seattleaccountingfirm.com

Where to Eat & Drink

Communion Restaurant & Bar
This hot brick-and-mortar, serving up “Seattle Soul,” is the latest venture from That Brown Girl Cooks! duo Chef Kristi Brown and her son, Damon Bomar. You’ll find favorites from TBGC!’s menu, like the Black Eyed Pea Hummus at Communion, alongside new creations that blend American soul food with Pacific Northwest influences—the Catfish Po’Mi is a great example of this ingenious mashup. 

2350 E. Union St.
Seattle
Online: communionseattle.com

Fat's Chicken & Waffles
Craving something hearty, filling, and flavorful? You’re destined to find just what you’re looking for at Fat’s, a southern-style, New Orleans-influenced restaurant in the heart of the Central District. Using authentic and natural ingredients, Fat’s serves up soulful delights including their signature chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, red beans & rice, and more. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there is something on the menu to tantalize your taste buds. Try the Fat’s Sampler and dive into a little bit of everything. You’ll enjoy the laid-back vibe and delicious food at this Seattle favorite.

2726 E. Cherry St.
Seattle
Online: fatschickenandwaffles.com

Black Coffee Northwest
Black Coffee Northwest’s motto is “grounded in excellence,” and their commitment to brewing up great coffee and being a community hub for Black youth is just that. Just look to Grounded, Black Coffee Northwest's Youth Leadership Development Space to get a feel for the programming that includes after-school study hours and internship opportunities. Plus, folks will find an array of Black-made products in their Black Marketplace any time you visit. 

16743 Aurora Ave. N.
Shoreline
Online: blackcoffeenw.com

The Station Community Coffee House
The Station Community Coffee House serves up more than just coffee and delicious food; it serves community. An icon in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood for many decades, The Station is home to artists, activists, advocates, and others in search of a good cup of coffee. Try a cup of locally-sourced coffee and pair it with a sandwich (psst... put the El Centro on your list, a sandwich loaded with chicken, avocado, spinach, pepper jack, jalapeno, and tomatoes). If you’re there for breakfast, don’t miss the homemade biscuits ‘n’ chorizo gravy.

1600 S. Roberto Maestas Festival St.
Seattle
Online: thestationbh.com

black-owned-businesses-seattle-ezells
Ezell's Famous Chicken

Ezell's Famous Chicken
Fresh, high-quality chicken and delicious, home-cooked side dishes, served with exceptional service are what sets Ezell’s Famous Chicken apart from its competition. Since 1984, this locally owned family business has grown and now serves the community in 17 Seattle-area locations. Ezell’s traditional recipe uses a proprietary battering process that seals in the flavor while locking out oils. If you prefer a little zing, try the spicy chicken which is marinated for 24 hours in a New Orleans-style seasoning, giving you full flavor in every bite. Ezell’s is committed to serving good food, while also giving back to the community and supporting local organizations that help neighbors in need.

Online: ezellschicken.com

Nana's Southern Kitchen
Crush your Southern comfort food craving on a cold winter day when you head to Nana’s in Kent. Owned by the Minor family, the traditional Southern favorites you'll find on their simple but scrumptious menu pay homage to great-grandma, Myrtle Henderson's cooking. The Mains are fried to perfection and the Sides are everything you want them to be—whether you’re eating collard greens, picnic-perfect potato salad or simply sweet candied yams. 

10234 S.E. 256th St., Suite 102
Kent
Online: nanassouthernway.com

JuneBaby
JuneBaby is a celebration of Southern food, sharing its delicious tastes, textures, and flavors through signature dishes like JuneBaby’s Fried Chicken and Red Beans & Rice with Hotlink Ragu. We also love their vegan menu favorites like Oven Roasted Beets with Walnuts, Ancient Grain Salad, and Smoked Carrots. In addition to spreading the love of Southern food throughout Seattle, JuneBaby shares the cuisine’s humble beginnings. Southern “soul food” originated during American slavery and represents the food as well as the period of oppression. Its culinary influences come from West Africa, Western Europe, and North America, resulting in tasty dishes paired with deep roots reflecting hard times and the resourcefulness and strength to overcome hardships. Order takeout when cooking isn't on your menu.

2122 N.E. 65th St.
Seattle
Online: junebabyseattle.com

Plum Restaurants
Good food feeds the soul and strengthens community. Chef Makini Howell’s Plum Restaurants, including Plum Bistro, Chopped, SugarPlum, and Plum Pantry, feature plant-based meals focused on organically-grown seasonal vegetables, non-GMO soy, and local fruits and herbs from family-owned organic farms. As a lifelong vegan, Howell believes that what is good for the individual will be good for the planet and this starts with our diet. Her fresh take on vegan cuisine inspires and delights diners, and we're loving the new greenhouse outdoor dining option too.

1429 12th Ave.
Seattle
Online: plumbistro.com

Black-Owned Businesses in Seattle Focused on Health & Beauty

MOTSI

MOTSI
Finding the time to "put your face on" isn't always in the cards for parents. But with MOTSI, the brainchild of Courtney LeMarco, a Bellevue-based entrepreneur and entertainment industry veteran, you can always have great skin. The thoughtful formulation behind this line delivers products that are cruelty-free, vegan, and void of things like parabens, silicone, and talc (to name a few). And while MOTSI's moisturizers, masks, mists, gels, and serums are definitely luxurious, it's not reflected in the price. Talk about a win for parents. The charcoal mask is one of our favorites, and for dad, try the cold brew beard oil.

Online: motsicouture.com

Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry
Whether you’re looking for a special gift for someone or a pick-me-up for yourself, you’ll find creative and responsibly-made necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more at this downtown shop. In addition to using recycled materials to make their inspired designs, Valerie Mason Jewelry is committed to sourcing conflict-free diamonds (usually) from Canada.

1411 24th Ave.
Seattle
Online: valeriemadison.com

Compfit

Compfit
If getting fit is on your parent to-do list, Eric Wilson of Compfit can help. He brings his personal philosophy to each client's fitness journey, using his Comprehensive Lifestyle Plan (CLP) to help you achieve your specific fitness goals. Classes offered include a mix of exciting aerobics like Hoopnotica, Oula, and Capoeira with strength classes like Barre and Lean & Tone. 

4501 Interlake Ave. N., #6
Seattle
Online: compfit.com

Maya Whole Health Studios
As the name implies, Maya Whole Health Studio offers services that connect your mind, body, and spirit and work to bring health and energy to patrons and the community. Whether you’re looking for an innovative yoga class, a great Pilates workout, a restful massage, or an acupuncture session, you can find expert practitioners here. 

1322 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Suite 3
Renton
Online: mayawholehealth.com

The Ride
Get ready for a 45-minute transformative cycling experience that will keep you coming back for more! From high-end cycle bikes to top-notch instructor-curated playlists, muted lighting to tiered seating, this cycle studio caters to all riders–from beginner to advanced. For more than 20 years, founder and master instructor, Aina Oyewole-Williams, has been bringing fitness-minded people together to heal, transform, and connect. Her teaching method and studio environment support personal change and growth on all levels. Bonus: Mix up your routine and improve your strength and mobility by trying a Body Camp class.

112 E. Lynn St.
Seattle
Online: therideseattle.com

City Sweats
Sweat your way to wellness at City Sweats, Seattle’s infrared sauna lounge. Come alone or bring a friend (hello, gal pal time!) and discover the healthy benefits of sweating it out. Explore other holistic detox treatments like a sauna wrap, lymphatic drainage, organic facial, or organic massage when you visit. It's a surefire way to treat yourself to a relaxing, quiet time that will refresh your mind and body. Since 2014, City Sweats has been a pioneer in Seattle’s infrared movement, committing to making infrared therapy more accessible and convenient.

Various Seattle-area locations
Online: citysweats.com

Rainier Health & Fitness
Rainier Health & Fitness is so much more than a gym. This South Seattle non-profit health organization makes exercise fun, accessible, and affordable. It encourages healthy lifestyles, strong bodies, and an authentic community through its high-quality fitness center. Founder Sili Kalepo, along with friends and non-profit Urban Impact, opened the first gym in 2005 inside a warehouse after recognizing that fitness centers were sparse in South Seattle neighborhoods. In October 2013, Kalepo opened the current location, continuing to serve the Rainier Beach community by offering comprehensive health and fitness services at reduced rates, aiming to remove obstacles that prevent people from making exercise a regular part of life. Rainier Health & Fitness offers a full spectrum of fitness classes including cardio/dance classes, senior classes, yoga, and personal training. 

7722 Rainier Avenue S.
Seattle
Online: rainierhealth.com

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at These Black-Owned Businesses in Seattle

KJ's Cakery Bakery
Creative confections and cakes abound at KJ’s Cakery Bakery. This boutique bake shop offers custom desserts that meet every customer’s specific request. Founder, Kathy Jo Miller, has had a love for baking and an entrepreneurial spirit since she was a young girl. Her first foray into the bakery world was Taylor Made Pantry, a bakery focusing on cake pops. The business grew and evolved and KJ’s Cakery Bakery was born. Whether you're looking for a custom cake, cupcakes, popcorn, cotton candy, paint-your-own cookies, or hot cocoa bombs—you get the picture—this is the spot to find it.

204 Central Ave. N. #102
Kent
Online: kjscakerybakery.com

Scoop Du Jour Ice Creamery
Grab some of Scoop Du Jour’s delicious ice cream in a waffle cone and walk down to the park or waterfront in Madison Park. No frills and around forever, Scoop Du Jour is an unpretentious, beloved Seattle tradition. Don’t miss out on their kid-approved burgers or grilled cheese, either.

4029 E. Madison St.
Seattle
Online: facebook.com

Home Life

Jacob Willard Home
If you’ve got your heart set on a new-to-you vintage or mid-century piece for your space, chances are you’ll find it at Jacob Willard Home. This family-owned furniture store located in Rainier Valley has been part of the Hillman City community for around a decade. Known for its record player and vintage vinyl collection, this is more than just a furniture spot.

5600 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle
Online: jwillardhome.com

Adorned Abode
Whether you’re looking for that just-right gift, or you want to find something special for yourself, you’ll find what you need at Adorned Abode. Since its opening in 2016, shop owner, Benita Smith has sourced eye-catching locally-made, fair-trade products that support small businesses. The best part? Each month a portion of the sales is donated to a local service group in the community. Get good. Do good. It’s a win-win. Schedule your shopping appointment online.

Old Freighthouse Square
2501 E. D St., Suite 53
Tacoma
Online: adornedabode.net

Sukie's Candle Co.
Who doesn't love a good-scented candle? They make great gifts, but they’re also a little pick-me-up you can burn at home on a grey winter day. Treat yourself (or a friend) to a premium soy wax candle from this local company that also has an eye on sustainability. Each candle is hand-poured when it’s ordered and they come in intriguing scents like cinnamon chai and sea salt orchid.

Online: sukiescandleco.com

Herbanfarm
Pike Place Market’s Herbanfarm is kind of a big dill (pun intended). Founded by Ras Levy Peynado, the son of a market craftsperson and a Jamaican fourth-generation farmer, this urban farm grows all of its herbs and peppers by hand in North Seattle. Herbanfarm’s wide variety of herbs is incorporated into small-batch culinary spice blends, seasonings, sauces, salts, vinegars, mustards, teas, as well as health and beauty products. All ingredients are harvested using organic farming practices that have been passed down from farmer to farmer for generations. The commitment to these practices is what preserves the taste and smell of these flavorful and aromatic herbs and peppers.

Online: herbanfarmonline.com

Additional reporting by Abbey McGee

 

The physical and emotional changes that come with puberty can be challenging for tweens, but these books can help. From expert guides filled with detailed biological facts to the funny Wimpy Kid installment in which Greg freaks out about zits, body hair growth, and B.O., these titles address the anxiety and confusion that boys and girls feel at this sensitive time. Don’t miss the “conversation starters” included with every pick to really maximize the benefits of sharing these terrific tomes with kids.

1. The Care and Keeping Of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls: Authored by Valorie Lee Schaefer; Illustrated by Josee Masse; American Girl Publishing, 2012

This comprehensive book is geared toward girls who are nearing—or just beginning—puberty. It covers all the basics of self-care, such as keeping hair clean and tangle-free, using sunscreen, cleaning teeth with braces, coping with acne, pampering blisters, and treating a sprain. This empowering self-care manual is perfectly targeted to young girls who are on the brink of growing up—and trying to figure out how to embrace these major changes with competence and confidence.

Recommended for ages 8 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about body image and confidence. Are you happy with the way your body is changing? What messages in this book were most helpful to you?

  • This book gives a lot of attention to girls’ concerns about body image. Do you think there’s an ideal body type? Do you compare yourself to other girls, or models, or actresses

2. Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys: Authored by Dr. Cara Natterson; Illustrated by Micah Player; American Girl Publishing, 2012

This is a head-to-toe guide for boys on how to care for their changing body, from fighting off funky smells to cultivating healthy habits with lifelong benefits. It’s an engaging book for boys to read solo and an excellent ice-breaker for parents who’d like to be more comfortable talking about puberty.

Recommended for ages 8 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Does the casual style here make it easier to read—and hopefully talk—about subjects that might make you feel self-conscious? Is the candid language helpful? Does knowing the facts make some of this less awkward?

  • How do you feel about the way boys’ and men’s bodies are portrayed in movies, on TV, and in magazines?

3. The Period Book: A Girl’s Guide to Growing Up: Authored by Karen Gravelle; Illustrated by Debbie Palen; Bloomsbury USA, 2017

Author Karen Gravelle helps girls and their families grow more comfortable talking about periods, pubic hair, and pimples without blushing in this friendly, compassionate update of her sex-ed book, first published in 1996. It arms girls with the information they need to feel confident and capable through puberty. It’s packed with reassurance and practical advice and well served by informative and entertaining illustrations.

Recommended for ages 8 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about the frank language and illustrations in The Period Book. Do they make it easier to discuss menstruation and puberty with your parents or friends?

  • Have you or any of your friends or classmates been involved with sexting—sending nude photos? What happened?

4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth: Authored and illustrated by Jeff Kinney; Amulet Books, 2010

The fifth book in the incredibly popular Wimpy Kid series features the same clueless, often irresponsible Wimpy Kid, but now he’s about to go through puberty. There’s talk of puberty everywhere—in health class, in Greg’s mom’s column (how embarrassing!), and even with great-grandma, who gives a secret lecture to everyone in the family when they reach that special age.

Recommended for ages 9 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Why do you think kids like Diary of a Wimpy Kid so much? Do kids find it’s easy to laugh at Greg’s antics? Do you think he’ll ever become more responsible? Would the stories be as funny?

  • Can you relate to any of these anecdotes? Where do you think the author gets it right—and where does he get it wrong?

6. What’s Going on Down There? A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up: Authored by Karen Gravelle; Illustrated by Robert Leighton; Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2017

The sexual landscape has shifted since Karen Gravelle first published this book for boys in 1998, and this welcome revision speaks to current concerns about social media, harassment, and body image. The book has a nonjudgmental tone and includes diagrams of external and internal male and female anatomy, along with straightforward, factual information on sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, and more.

Recommended for ages 9 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about the explicit detail in What’s Going on Down There? A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up. Does reading this book make it easier to talk about puberty and sex?

  • Do you think this book is appropriate for kids your age?

6. Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret: Authored by Judy Blume; Yearling Books, 1970

Although this was first published in 1970, tweens will find that it still pretty much rings true today as a pretty realistic take on what it’s like to be a sixth-grade girl. Margaret is such a relatable character—she worries about being normal, sometimes says the wrong thing, and even hides her true feelings to be accepted by her friends. Readers will appreciate her honest narration—which will make them feel a whole lot better about that their own anxieties about growing up.

Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Do you think a lot has changed since this book was first published in 1970? Do you feel like you relate to Margaret?

  • Margaret’s friend Nancy spreads gossip about Laura—she says that Laura lets boys feel her up and that even their teacher can’t keep his eyes off her figure. What do you think it’s like to be Laura? Do you think girls who develop early still get targeted in this way?

7. The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls: Authored by Dr. Cara Natterson; Illustrated by Josee Masse; American Girl Publishing, 2013

Puberty will always be both a little exciting and anxiety-provoking, but this easy-to-read guide makes it less mystifying by explaining exactly what’s going on—and how to roll with the changes. Written by pediatrician Cara Natterson, this tome equips girls with the biological information they need to better understand why they’re changing and how to adapt.

Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about the biological details in The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls. Does knowing how and why your body is changing make it easier for you to embrace it?

  • Do you feel as if you’re treating your body respectfully? What changes could you make?

8. The Girl Guide: 50 Ways to Learn to Love Your Changing Body: Authored by Marawa Ibrahim; Illustrated by Sinem Erkas; Harper Collins, 2018

Reading The Girl Guide is like hanging out in your fabulous big sister’s bedroom for a candid “ask me anything” session: It’s packed with answers to questions girls may not even think to ask about the ups and downs of growing older. Fifty short chapters take on acne, periods, big butts, hair growth — and hair removal, crushes, staying fit, bras, eating disorders, and more. Author Marawa Ibrahim is fiercely feminist and body-positive: “Say it loud and say it proud: Vagina, vagina, vagina” prefaces a two-page illustration of vaginas fashioned out of cut paper.

Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • How do you feel about the candid tone of this book? How does it compare with more straightforward books on puberty?

  • Do you have questions about your body or your emotional health that this book didn’t help you with? If so, ask a trusted adult for information or advice.

9. It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health: Authored by Robie H. Harris; Illustrated by Michael Emberley; Candlewick Press, 2014

The 20th-anniversary edition of It’s Perfectly Normal is an unflinching and fully illustrated guide to sexual health for girls and boys that presents sexual activity as enjoyable but requiring mature, careful decision-making. It supports postponing and abstaining from sex but also provides information on contraception and abortion. It aims to arm kids with the knowledge to make informed, thoughtful decisions about their sexual behavior and relationships, and it does so with a frankness that some families will find refreshing while others may feel it’s inappropriate.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about why people often are uncomfortable talking about sex and whether It’s Perfectly Normal makes it easier. Are you more comfortable talking about sex with your family, or do you prefer learning from books like this?

  • Have you come across sexual content online or in talking with friends that are upsetting or confusing?

10. Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular: Authored by Mayim Bialik; Philomel, 2017

This fantastic book uses biology and neuroscience to answer questions many tweens and teens have about how their brains, bodies, and emotions change during puberty. Actress and author Mayim Bialik puts her Ph.D. in neuroscience to good use as she explains in detail, with anatomical illustrations, the hows and whys of puberty, from body image, coping with stress, nutrition, and school to hormones, dating, sex, and more.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Conversation starters:

  • Families can talk about how knowledge is power in Girling Up. Did you learn anything surprising? How will what you’ve learned help you as you grow into adulthood?

  • Why do you think a successful actress like Mayim writes books, too? Do you think she’s genuinely passionate about “girling up”? What about financial rewards?

Common Sense Media
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.

One sunny fall morning, I watched my daughter tear open a birthday present, eager to unearth the mysterious goodies hidden inside.

“Here,” she said, tossing the card in my direction. “Could you read this to me?”

I paused for a moment. This exact scene had played out numerous times across birthdays, holidays, even reading penpal letters.

I shook my head. “No. Read it yourself.”

“I can‘t understand it,” she replied.

I studied the card once again. What? Was it written in Greek?

For years, like many parents do, I focused on making sure my daughter’s handwriting was straight, clean and as legible as possible. We perfected every descender and closed every ‘a’ so it wouldn’t resemble a ‘u’ and so on. After that we progressed to cursive but quickly gave our attention to typing skills. After all, schools across the country had started dropping cursive from their curriculums entirely.

Nearly every state in America has adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative from 2010, which seeks to establish consistent educational standards across the U.S. and ensure high school graduates are prepared to enter college. The standards for English Language Arts include core topics of reading, writing and language and a modern section called “media and technology”. This component includes keyboard skills, but does not mandate cursive handwriting.

Spencerian script was the standard cursive writing st‌yle in the U.S. from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s. It was then simplified into the Palmer Method around the 1920s, followed by D’Nealian cursive, which students learn today. Yet the use of cursive declined overall as people first shifted to typewriters and then to personal computers. Public school instruction of cursive in the U.S. has steadily declined since the 1970s, but handwriting, penmanship and cursive continue to remain hot topics among educators and lawmakers across the nation.

Some applauded the Common Core’s move into modern times while others lamented the death of decorative penmanship. But recently, in 2016, Alabama and Louisiana passed laws mandating cursive proficiency in public schools. By doing so, they became the newest of over a dozen states now requiring cursive for 3rd graders and up.

What changed? Are parents and teachers growing sentimental about their own upbringing? Are we rebelling against the current digital shift in a grassroots back-to-basics swing to simpler, more analog times?  Even if nostalgia spurred the changes, science is there to back it up.

An article published in Psychology Today says “…learning cursive is an important tool for cognitive development.” Brain scans reveal activated neural circuitry when children print letters and then read them out loud, but the same effect does not occur when the letters are typed. The swoopy, connected st‌yle of cursive is even more demanding than printing and creates a greater neural response in both hemispheres of the brain due to it’s artistic nature.

“Cursive is also more likely to engage students by providing a sense of personal st‌yle and ownership,” the Psychology Today article explains. More and more often, today’s youngest generations struggle with hand writing correspondence and creating their own personalized signatures. As today’s youth grew up without writing in cursive, they lost the ability to read it as well. Could the decline of handwriting sever our ties to the past, to our history, to ourselves?

My daughter never had trouble reading typed materials, but if I put a handwritten document in front of her, her eyes would glaze over. The perfect schoolteacher handwriting from our cursive tracing books had done little to prepare her for real handwriting from real people.

I simply couldn’t fathom a future in which my daughter would be incapable of understanding Great Grandma Vi’s apple pie recipe, family genealogy or the Declaration of Independence. But what could we do?

A Google search for “cursive handwriting” gave dozens of search results for tracing workbooks. Another search for “cursive instruction” produced YouTube tutorials for calligraphy. Adding specific keywords such as “how to practice reading people’s handwriting” prompted solutions for ADHD kids and how to effectively teach writing skills. A proper resource didn’t seem to exist.

Thanks to the global community that is Facebook, I rallied friends, family and even strangers to contribute samples of their everyday handwriting for our cause. Using my daughter as a sounding board, we combed through nearly 200 writing images to select our favorite five dozen based on their legibility (or lack thereof), uniqueness and beauty. The short paragraphs came to us from all corners of the world, from Japan to Peru and from right- and left-handed writers, all genders and all ages.

These samples, along with a sprinkling of history and terminology, have been organized into Handwriting: A Study of Penmanship in the Digital Age, an easy-to-read, fact-filled supplement for classroom instruction and home-based reading practice. The content is entirely comprised of animal facts and is suitable for all ages.

Maggie lives with her husband and "old soul" tween daughter in the Pacific Northwest. She shares their travel adventures, field trips, and homeschool ideas from a city-based homestead. Maggie's first book, Handwriting: A Study of Penmenship in the Digital Age, is available on Amazon.

Photo: Rachel Phillips

Some of my earliest memories are sitting around a big wooden table with my mom, sisters, aunts, Grandma and Great Grandma, kneading dough. Aprons with flour down the front, heavy rolling pins, floral cheesecloths and always that gentle rhythm of kneading the dough.

I was 6 when I won my first County Fair ribbon. The local newspaper did an article about it: 4th place for “Rachel’s quick french bread.” I was so proud. Standing around that table with all of those strong women—and I was becoming one of them. I beamed.

Even now the smell of bread in the oven catapults me to that farmhouse kitchen in Rock Creek, Oregon. My Grandma’s house that her husband and sons built for her. It was always full of music and stories and something in the oven. Stories of my Grandma and Grandpa having dances in their old barn, of my Great Grandma traveling west in a covered wagon to teach in one room schoolhouse, of my Dad and his brothers and sisters working the farm, getting into mischief, growing up.

Stories of baking. Always the baking.

Grandma would tell us how before electricity, she used to put her hand in the wood stove to know if it was the right temperature. How making eight loaves in the morning was how she started each day. Standing in her Nike sneakers, I would watch her veiny hands expertly work each loaf and let me know when to add more flour. “Just keep kneading,” she would tell me. “You’ll know when it is ready.”

“Like this?” I would say. Pushing my whole body into it, over and over, my forearms burning.

“Yes. Just like that. Now, we let it rise.”

The loaves were put into pans and covered with a musty smelling dish towel. Then my sister and I were free to go swing on Grandma’s porch, or pick strawberries in her garden, walk down to the creek to look for frogs or twirl in her living room while her fingers bounced around on her accordion.

It’s the rising that is the most important step. It’s where the magic happens. If you fail to let it rise long enough, the bread will probably result in a hefty dental bill should you try to bite through it. “Let it be,” my Grandma would say. A couple hours would pass and we’d marvel at the puffed up loaves that had doubled in size. She would pop them into her oven and shoo us back outside.

When our cheeks were flushed and our hair tangled, the smell of bread baking would find us. We would migrate back, led by our noses and sit eagerly on the barstools waiting for a slice. We would eat an entire loaf together.

My Grandma was pure sunshine. Everyone’s favorite person. You would feel like she was hugging you, even if she was across the room. In her 86 years, she would climb mountain peaks, ski backcountry, run marathons and raise four kids. She was captain of a dragon boat team, organized a senior walking group that met every morning, rain or shine. Was a member of the Mazamas. Met the love of her life in her ’80s when she joined a bowling league. She clogged at Nordic festivals, biked from Portland to the coast four times and enjoyed her cold beer at the local pub. And she was FAMOUS for her homemade bread.

The years went by. My Dad got a new job and we moved away. I got older. I got busy, as 16-year-olds do. Pretty soon I only went to Grandma’s kitchen to bake on holidays and family trips. And sometimes I wouldn’t even go then. I had a tournament I couldn’t miss. A sleepover that was too important. Homework, friends, plans. Such important plans at the time.

I want to go back and sit next to that 16-year-old. I want to tell her to get in her red Pontiac, put $20 in the gas tank, pop in Alanis Morrisette and take a drive down to Portland to visit your Grandma. There is another tournament next weekend. Another date with a guy who ends up being not worth it. (There’s actually a lot of those coming.) All of those other plans can wait.

I miss her. I want to go back and sit on that stool in her kitchen. Bake with her. Ask her what my Dad was like when he was four. What her favorite perfume is. Did she do everything she wanted in life?

I wonder if she knows that I have her rolling pin. That Dad kept his promise to her. That we have our own little boys and they gather around our own wooden table now.

I sprinkle the flour and give them their own little loaves to kneed. They poke their pudgy fingers in the dough and push it out, roll it around, bring it all together. I watch them. “Like this Mommy?”

I understand now.

This is my time I get to shape them. Get my hands on them. Knead all of the love and traditions and life into them.

They want to be with me now. They want to be with me all of the time. They are looking to me to show them the world. Baking in our kitchen, there is nowhere they would rather be. But they will get older. Busier. They will make plans and have their own lives.

And as much as my hands will ache to be holding on to them—just as I am sure my Grandmother’s hands ached for me—I will have to let them be. Let them rise.

They will find their way back. Back to a wooden table. With flour smudged on their own kids’ cheeks and an old marble rolling pin. There will be stories and laughter and of course, fresh baked bread.

This post originally appeared on Planting Marigolds.

A Whidbey Island mom that left a life that was "normal" and ran away with her husband and three little boys to live on an island in saltwater air and open spaces. A mom who is remembering who she was, loving who she is and dreaming of what she could be. 

One of the most important jobs of becoming a parent is choosing a name your child will live with for the rest of his or her life. Decades have shown ebbs and flows of trending names, but none so much as the popularity of the baby name Heather. Read on to find out more about Heather’s wild rise—and downfall.

Back in 1975, Heather was the third-most popular name among girls, with more than 24,000 babies going home from the hospital with the name. But by 2017, Heather had dropped way down the ranks to only the 1,129th-most popular, meaning only 219 babies were named Heather that year. So what has caused such a once popular name to fall by the wayside?

Graphic: Atlas

According to Baby Name Wizard owner Laura Wattenburg, Heather’s rise in popularity coincides with America’s tendency to embrace fad names. Case in point, 1969’s Disney TV movie called Guns in the Heather sparked an entire generation of Heathers. Eventually, Heather grew up and it became known as a “mom name” and her popularity waned.

The 1988 film Heathers didn’t help matters much, either. That movie depicted a not-so-nice clique of bad girls doing very bad things—all named Heather.  While the movie probably didn’t force Heather out of the running for a popular girl’s name, it definitely didn’t help.

Of the top names that were once in the top five but fell out of the top 1,000, Heather did so the quickest. It took just 39 years, whereas all the other names took between 42 and 71 to make similar drops in popularity.

Names that follow this pattern tend to take a 100-year cycle before we start to see them come back again. That means  by the time you have great-grandma Heather, you may start seeing the name make a comeback.

––Karly Wood

Featured photo: Composite by Keiko Zoll for Red Tricycle

 

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Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Thanksgiving isn’t complete without pumpkin pie, and we’ve rounded up our favorite recipes, from the classic to the quirky. Click through the slideshow below to get the goods, and don’t forget the whipped cream on top.

Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie

Kudos Kitchen

Wow your family and friends by making this adorable pie from Kudos Kitchen. It’s easier than you might think to pull off the intricate pattern, thanks to pre-made pie crusts and the helpful step-by-step photos. To get all the details, click here.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie with Walnut Crust

Valerie Cogswell

Gluten-free guests don’t have to miss out on dessert thanks to this genius recipe from Valerie Cogswell. The crust is made with a simple walnut mixture, and mascarpone cheese gives the filling a creamy, indulgent taste. Grab the recipe by clicking here.

 

Pumpkin Pie with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream

Little Sweet Baker

If your family prefers the classic pumpkin pie, try this recipe from Little Sweet Baker. The pie crust is perfectly flaky, but the real star here is the salted caramel whipped cream—you just might not go back to the normal kind! Click here to snag the recipe.

Thankful Pumpkin Pie

Mom Loves Baking

Usually we use canned pumpkin for our Thanksgiving pies, but if you’re itching to try using a fresh pumpkin, this recipe from Mom Loves Baking will fit the bill. It’s easier than you might think, too—just roast the pumpkin in the oven for a couple hours. To see the recipe (with step-by-step photos), click here.

Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Inside Bru Crew Life

If you can’t decide what kind of pie to make, why not go for three in one? Inside Bru Crew Life’s genius recipe combines a pumpkin cheesecake base with a pecan pie topping to make a dessert that will disappear from your table in no time. Snag the recipe by clicking here.

Paleo Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Anya’s Eats

Go for a healthier dessert option with this grain-free paleo pie from Anya’s Eats. The crust is made out of almond flour, and the pumpkin-chocolate filling will keep the chocoholics in your fam satisfied. To get the recipe, click here.

Mini Pumpkin Tarts

What Great Grandma Ate

These cute pumpkin tarts from What Great Grandma Ate are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Since it’s a no-bake recipe, it’s a great way to free up space in the oven for all your baked Thanksgiving sides. Click here to grab the recipe.

Impossible Pumpkin Pie

Sugar & Soul

This delicious recipe from Sugar & Soul is super easy—you don’t even need to worry about making a traditional pie crust. The filling forms a thin crust on the outside of the pie while it bakes, while the inside stays creamy and dense. To get the recipe, click here.

Chai Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Flavor the Moments

Classic pumpkin pie gets a little bit fancy with this fab recipe from Flavor the Moments. Warm chai spices make the perfect complement for pumpkin. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream, there’s no way this one won’t be a hit with your whole crew. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Mini Pumpkin Pecan Snickerdoodle Pies

Endlessly Inspired

These cute mini pies from Endlessly Inspired are shockingly simple. Thanks to a clever grocery store find, they’ll come together in less than 10 minutes, and your guests will be none the wiser. To grab the recipe, click here.

No-Bake Triple Layer Pumpkin Pie

Art and the Kitchen

This no-bake pie from Art in the Kitchen is a piece of art in itself. With generous layers of cheesecake, pumpkin filling and whipped cream, what's not to like? To get the recipe, click here.

 

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Between dance classes and soccer practice shuttling, getting a healthy and quick dinner on the table during the week can be a tricky task. Relax, because we’ve got you covered with a handful of easy dinner recipes that are super delicious and literally as easy as 1-2-3. Check out these 3-ingredient quick dinner recipes that are sure to become your new favorites.

This article is sponsored by Misfits Market—the grocery delivery service dedicated to making affordable, high-quality food more accessible while helping break the cycle of food waste. Misfits Market works directly with farmers and makers to rescue organic produce and other grocery items that might otherwise go to waste, then deliver them to your door—all at prices up to 40% less than the grocery store. Every Misfits Market box you order benefits farmers, helps prevent food waste and saves your family money.

Slow Cooker Portobello Chicken

Cutefetti

This earthy, creamy portobello chicken recipe from Dawn at Cutefetti gives big flavors using just a few items. Plus, it simmers in a slow cooker, meaning you can just toss the ingredients in and walk away. When your family’s hungry, it’ll be ready to go. Talk about easy!

Tomato Tortellini Soup

Honey and Birch

With three ingredients, one pot, major kid appeal and minimal prep time, this is the kind of recipe that makes parents happy. 3-Ingredient Tomato-Tortellini Soup from Jenny B at Honey and Birch is the kind of kitchen magic you’ll want to have up your sleeve for those busy nights or anytime at all.

Wild Rice Sausage Kale Bowl

Family Food on the Table

Go green with this gorgeous Wild Rice Sausage Kale Bowl from Kathryn at Family Food on the Table. Seasoned sausage, tasty rice and a vibrant veggie come together for a quick and comforting dinner that’s nutritious and simple. Need more ideas? Kathryn’s Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage and Spinach is another 3-ingredient dinner winner.

Creamy Tomato Shells

Pinch of Yum

For a super creamy pasta without the dairy, check out these tomato shells from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum. This meal whips up in no time, with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You won’t even miss the cheese!

 

Maple-Mustard Baked Salmon

For the Love of Cooking

Fresh salmon and a sweet and tangy marinade pair up perfectly in this recipe from Pam at For the Love of Cooking. Even on a busy night, you can pull off this dinner that’s sure to please even the most particular little palates.

 

Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels

The Weary Chef

These tasty steak pinwheels may look fancy, but they couldn’t be simpler. This recipe from Andi at The Weary Chef has something for everyone. Kids will love the fun shape, and you’ll love the addition of healthy green spinach. Win-win.

Salsa Verde Chicken

What Great Grandma Ate

Make a big batch of this yummy salsa verde chicken, and you’ve got countless meal possibilities for the days ahead. Toss it over rice, stuff a quesadilla or enjoy it on its own. Jean of What Great Grandma Ate created this super simple and crave-worthy recipe that will give you a jump start on the week’s meal prep.

Easy Beef Stew

NerdyMamma

Fast, hearty and packed with veggies, this Easy Peasy Beef Stew by NerdyMamma comes together in under twenty minutes and is a total kid-pleaser. Add some bread and a fresh salad on the side, and dinner is done!

3-Ingredient Tilapia Skillet

Primavera Kitchen

Even if you only have 30 minutes, you can get this one done. This simple tilapia skillet from Olivia at Primavera Kitchen is quick, flavorful and a great way to introduce kids to fish. Tomatoes add a fresh pop of color and a boost of Vitamin C.

3-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan

The Nutritionist Reviews

Cheesy chicken parmesan with just three ingredients? Yes, it’s totally possible, and it’s about to join your dinner rotation. Amanda of The Nutritionist Reviews created this recipe that will become your new weeknight go-to.

 

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Sara via Bitz N Giggles

Ok, so technically, this recipe has 5 ingredients, but it gets dinner on the table in under 20 minutes, so that's a huge win for us. Sara from Bitz N Giggles takes you step by step through this refreshing twist on your average chicken tenders. Get the recipe here

3 Ingredient Pesto Gnocchi

Cathleen via A Taste of Madness

Did you know that you can sauté gnocchi in a pan without boiling them? We didn't either, until Cathleen from A Taste of Madness posted this deliciously simple recipe. Feel free to make it your own once you make her recipe.  

 

 

What’s your favorite 3-ingredient meal for busy nights? Will you try any of our recipes? Let us know in the comments below!

—Anna Doogan

 

Healthy 3-Ingredient Recipes the Kids Will Actually Eat

The storks must have been working overtime, because at our very own Los Angeles Zoo there’s been a huge number of babies born this year, and we don’t mean the ones in strollers. And as every parent knows, there’s nothing quite as cute as the youngest members of any species, so grab your own wee ones and head on out to oooh and aaah over the new additions at the Zoo.

photo: Wendy Fontaine

Cutest, By A Neck: Leo
If a giraffe isn’t on every toddler’s “must-see-every-time” list, we don’t know what is. And what’s even better than a giraffe? Why, a baby giraffe of course. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 170 lbs at birth, baby Leo was born last November, and is the proud offspring of mom Hasina and dad Artemus. This healthy baby boy can grow to be 18 feet tall and reach 3000 lbs by the time he is full grown. But for now he’s easy to spot as he’s the littlest guy in the herd, seconded by his big sister Sofie, who is in the midst of her terribly-tall twos.

photo: Jamie Pham

Most Likely To Monkey Around: All 5 Chimpanzees
Right now it’s easy to mistake the chimp habitat for a daycare center. It currently houses 5 (see if you can spot them all) babies between zero and 3 years old. Not to worry, though, these mamas have help. There are 4 generations of chimps in residence, led by 48 year old Great-Grandma Pandora, so there are plenty of aunties to lend a simian hand. Look for baby Johari, who will be a year in October, and baby Oliver, who refused to nurse and had to be bottle fed round the clock by a team of dedicated zookeepers. If you don’t see them by the steps, check out the Penthouse, where they’ll be frolicking amid ropes and swings.

photo: Jamie Pham

Triple the Fun: Endangered (Baby) Giant Otters
Who’s the famous set of three sleek, dark haired siblings? Nope, not the Kardashians, we’re talking about giant otters. These gorgeous triplets, two males and one female, were born in March at the new Rainforest of the Americas exhibit. They joined their playful family of a mom, dad, brother and sister, who were the first babies born in the habitat last September. The helpful older siblings can be seen assisting their parents in teaching the newcomers their swimming skills, so look for all of them joyfully slipping and sliding down the water slide.

photo: Emi Ruzzin

Biggest Surprise: Baby Rosie
Guess who was the “happy accident” who weighed nearly 100 lbs at birth? No secret, it’s baby Rosie the hippopotamus. Mom Mara was on birth control to comply with the Species Survival Program, which is designed to choose the best mating matches for conservation efforts, but zookeepers suspected she might have a bun in the oven when she started rapidly gaining weight. You can see baby Rosie who is about to celebrate her first birthday on Halloween, sticking close to her mom and following her around wherever she goes. Dad Adhama engages her in lots of play, but this little one is definitely a mama’s girl. Check out the feeding times to see this hungry, hungry hippo munching on whole heads of lettuce and other assorted veggies.  She’ll teach your kids that eating healthy is the way to grow up to be big and strong!

Biggest Question Mark:  Baby Howler Monkey
Boy or girl? Nobody knows yet the gender of the newest little monkey that was born on July 31. This black haired beauty can be seen cradled in his or her mom’s arms as she (he?) climbs all over the habitat in the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit. You can also spot big sis, born in January. Listen for them making their signature (loud) howl across the zoo.

photo: Emi Ruzzin

Most Cold Blooded: Baby Viper
No, not the one parked next to the Tesla. Zookeepers had to reproduce near freezing Armenian winter conditions to have these successful births, but lucky for us, they finally got the right temperature. There are eight of these little guys and gals, born to two moms in mid-July. Look for them behind the glass in little terrariums at the Care and Conservation Room in the LAIR. (Fun fact: unlike most snakes, these vipers give birth to live young.)

photo: Emi Ruzzin

Most Touchable: Baby Kids
Last but not least, let the kids touch and brush these kids. Of course, we mean the triplet Nigerian dwarf goats born to mom Lacey and the single kid born to mom Glory, right in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, commonly known as the Petting Zoo. These gentle kiddos can usually be seen resting against each other and their mamas as they receive attention from small but eager human hands. They don’t seem to mind the gentle petting and brushing, so grab the camera for some cute photo ops.

And Lots More…
There are more young ’uns to visit—baby kangaroos, koalas and all sorts of deer and monkey varieties, just to name a few. Learn what a Visayan warty pig is and why he’s warty; find out if the baby female bighorn sheep has horns; how many prongs are on the horn of the baby pronghorns…and what exactly is a pronghorn, anyway?

Answer these questions and the dozens more that your little ones will come up with, on your next visit to meet the babies at the zoo. Take along hats, sunblock and definitely lots of ice in your water bottle—many of the exhibits are in full sun.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden
5333 Zoo Dr.
Griffith Park
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day
Price: $20/adult, $15/child, kids two and under are free
323-644-4200
Online: lazoo.org

Who is the biggest baby? The longest baby? The tallest baby? Your favorite baby? Tell us about your visit to see the babies at the Zoo.

—Emi Ruzzin

Photo Courtesy: User: Fishtails on Reddit

Having a baby is a milestone not just for parents, but for the rest of the family too. Who can forget the feeling of revealing your newborn for the first time?

This moment, captured during the first meeting of 92-year-old great grandma Millie Martin and two-day-old Penelope, has parents everywhere issuing a collective “awww!!!”

The photo was taken over the weekend, just one month following the passing of Millie’s husband and WWII veteran, Dean. Thanks to user Fishtails on Reddit, the image has warmed the hearts of many surfing the web.

For kids, parents, grandparents and great grandparents alike, Millie and Penelope are a reminder of the magic between the oldest generation and the newest.

Did you capture any magical first meetings on camera? We’d love to see them! #redtricycle on Facebook and Instagram.

— Francesca Katafias