If you’re looking for a thoughtful story about the power of love and what it means to be a family—snag a copy of A Secret Shared, by Newberry Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. Perfect for readers ages 8-12 (or those transitioning to chapter books), this middle-grade book centers around the theme of adoption, specifically how a family navigates living with a secret and bringing the truth to light.
The story centers around twins Nora and Ben, and their little sister Birdy. When their mother takes A DNA test for her work as a newspaper columnist, they learn a shocking secret—Birdy doesn’t share the same ancestry as their parents. The twins begin to wonder what their parents are hiding… and how they’ve gone about their lives never knowing.
This beautifully written book delves into why people keep secrets, who to go to for help and how to move forward with openness and honesty. The parents’ love for each other, as well as their children, paints a heartwarming picture of what makes a family, no matter the circumstances that brought you together.
Navigating a stroller through city streets and up and down walk-ups takes some special skills and the right wheels. Whether you need a lightweight stroller you can carry up stairs, shock absorption to handle rough sidewalks, a compact style for narrow store aisles, or the ability to pivot easily through crowds, you’re sure to find the right city stroller below.
Metro Ready
Ergobaby
The Ergobaby Metro+ is designed for metro moms. This compact, lightweight stroller folds up small enough to fit on most buses and subways. It also fits in the overhead bins on airplanes so you don't need to gate-check it. This also means it folds up to a small enough package to make storage in small apartments feasible. The Metro is designed for tots who find themselves spending a lot of time in the stroller. Inspired by Ergobaby carriers, it has extra padding for maximum support and has a deep recline and an adjustable leg rest for added comfort. Bonus: This stroller can be used from birth through 40 pounds so it will last a long time.
The Cybex Priam has been a popular stroller among urban parents for years, thanks to its table-height seat that gives little ones better views on long walks, the smooth ride and larger than average basket. The newer e-Priam retains all of the features of the original but adds a small motor that gives parents some assistance whenever it detects extra pressure on the handlebar. This is very useful for going up hills and over uneven terrain—or for when Mom or Dad are tired and just don't want to work so hard.
Available at cybexonlineshop.com, $999.95-$1,699.95 for the Priam and $1,179.90-1,529.95 for the e-Priam
Small Wonder
Colugo
A lightweight stroller is a must in the city. The Colugo Compact folds up small enough to fit behind the passenger seat in a car or an overhead bin in an airplane. That means it can be stored under a bed or in a small closet when storage space is at a premium. It even comes with a storage backpack for easy transport on buses or for when your little one just wants to walk. Bonus: Accessories that parents usually have to pay extra for, including a rain cover and cup holder, come included. It's also available in a variety of fun prints so your stroller won't get lost in a sea of black.
You never know what the city will throw your way, from uneven sidewalks to narrow doorways to steep curbs, so maneuverability is key. The UPPAbaby Vista2 is a stroller that can handle it all. Plus, it is designed with thoughtful details that make city life easier, including an oversize easy-access basket, reversible full-size seat, shock-absorbing suspension to ensure a smooth ride, and an included bassinet that makes the stroller suitable from birth. Bonus: The Vista can be configured to accommodate two children with an optional rumble seat and a third child with an add-on PiggyBack Ride-Along board.
City parents know that convenience is key. They don't have time to mess around with lots of different strollers and can't dedicate too much space to storing baby gear. A great solution is an all-in-one travel system like the B-Free & B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit Travel System from Britax. A complete system that can be used from birth through the toddler years means that parents only need to pick out one stroller and there is no guessing whether a car seat and stroller are compatible. This system also features a convenient extra-large basket so urban parents can use it for shopping or day-long adventures and a car seat that does not need to be rethreaded as baby grows.
In the city, there is always something new to see or a new space to squeeze through. The Cybex Eezy Twist 2 provides a unique solution with a seat that swivels 360 degrees, so tots can face the street, a parent or even to the side. Even better, it folds up compactly and stands up straight when folded, making it easy to store in small spaces.
The Doona is a dream stroller for any city mom who relies on Uber, buses or cars to get around. Instead of dealing with a car seat that snaps into a stroller or going without a car seat at all, simply extend the legs to turn the car seat into a stroller, and then fold the legs back up to return the Doona to car-seat mode. The whole process takes seconds. Doona's unique design makes this car seat on wheels an ideal choice for any parent who does not want to haul around a car seat and stroller. It's also a great choice for people who don't want to fuss with taking their baby out of the stroller to ride on a bus or train.
Getting around the city can sometimes mean hauling a lot of things over uneven sidewalks, uneven city parks or gravel. Add in a child or two and a sturdy stroller wagon with tons of space may make sense as an alternative to a traditional stroller. A WonderFold Wagon has plenty of space for kids who need a little more room than a stroller seat, plus playground gear or groceries. Bonus: This spacious wagon easily folds up small enough to store in a closet.
New makeup alert! The queen of Malibu has just dropped a new makeup collection and it’s fit for any Barbie lover.
The Malibu Barbie x ColourPop collection has everything you need for a summer of sun and fun. From bright and silky eyeshadows to the biggest falsies we’ve seen, this collab is a must for hitting the beach in style.
photo: ColourPop
So what’s included? Barbie girls can get ready each day with:
Malibu Barbie Palette, a 15 pressed-pan palette
Three lipstick duos each with a LUX Lipstick and matching Lippie Pencils
Warm golden highlighter Beach Party Super Shock Highlighter
Exclusive Doll Lashes Falsies
Malibu Barbie Hand Mirror
Each product comes in signature Barbie pink packaging and is very affordably priced. You can purchase each one individually or the entire set for just $99! Shop the entire collection which starts at just $10 at colourpop.com.
How has parenting changed in the last year? More specifically, how have parents changed? Millie Moon Luxury Diapers recently tapped OnePoll to conduct a survey of 2,000 millennial parents—and the results may surprise you!
It’s probably not a shock to many parents that the events of 2020 changes plenty of attitudes towards just about everything. Between the sudden, drawn-out together-time families found themselves in, working from home, schooling from home and doing everything else from home, parenting has had to change in the past year.
photo courtesy of Millie Moon
The survey found that four out of five moms and dads surveyed felt 2020 made them completely reevaluate their parenting. Seventy-two percent said the pandemic helped them to show more compassion as parents and 73 percent began prioritizing the smaller moments they could share with their kiddos.
When it comes to work, more than 40 percent of parents put less of an emphasis on their jobs. This extra time reportedly had a major affect on the littles, according to the parents surveyed. Seventy-six percent of parents also discovered new ways to connect with their kids!
The increased emphasis on connecting with the kiddos may make you wonder how parents are spending more time with their families. The survey found that nearly half of parents say story-time is a bonding moment. With that in mind, Millie Moon is donating a portion of the proceeds from the brand’s new Luxury Diaper line to the national early literacy nonprofit, Reach Out and Read. Nab these luxe diapers and wipes exclusively at Target!
When you think of Henry Golding the word dad may not immediately come to mind. Even though he made a major name for himself as the over-the-top handsome, yet down to Earth for an uber-rich guy, love interest of Crazy Rich Asians, IRL Golding is now a devoted dad.
The Crazy Rich Asians star and wife Liv Lo welcomed their newborn last week. Golding recently posted a sweet Instagram pic of himself, Lo, and their new baby, captioning the black and white photo, “This woman right here. Beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Your strength brought us our greatest joy. Thank you, I love you.”
The actor’s wife also posted her own birth-day pics, sharing photos of herself at the hospital and in labor. Lo added, “On March 31st our lives changed forever. Link in bio of leaving Instagram for #maternityleave (for the time being). I’ll prob be up during midnight breastfeeds checking in on you, but otherwise “I’ll be back” xx.”
Lo, a fitness instructor and wellness entrepreneur, wrote about her decision to take time off after giving birth on her Fit Sphere website, “This simple knowing, that I can return to work and the world when I am ready gives me the power to direct my attention to what is most important to me. 40 days, or about 6 weeks postpartum, is the first postpartum exam with your OBGYN. Until this clearance happens I am not keen to get back to work or sharing with the world how I am feeling. This may come as a shock or disappointment; however, in my self-reflection, it has become clear that I need to set these boundaries for myself and my family.”
National Peanut Butter Lovers Day was Mar. 1 and Reese’s is celebrating! Along with bringing back a fan favorite, the brand also launched a limited edition product that unites all peanut butter lovers.
Get ready to sink your teeth into Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cups––the most intense version of Peanut Butter Cups in the 90-year history of the brand. To make sure you get to enjoy all the peanut buttery goodness, Reese’s is removing the chocolate and replacing it with a 100 percent peanut butter candy-flavored shell on the outside!
In a Hershey’s press release, Margo McIlvaine, Reese’s Brand Manager says “While launching a Reese’s Cup with absolutely no chocolate might come as a shock, we’re giving the truest peanut butter fans something to go wild about. The frenzy that comes with changing an icon like the Reese’s Cup is real – but you can still enjoy the classic plus get more peanut butter flavor with a new option that’s every peanut butter lover’s dream!”
Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Cups will be rolled out in standard ($1.09), king size ($1.79) and miniatures ($4.09) at retailers nationwide beginning in early April for a limited time.
Reese’s is also bringing back the fan-favorite Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers Cups for a double dose of peanut butter-flavored candy excitement so keep your eye out for this returning treat. If you can’t wait until April to get your PB cups, you’ll want to check out Hershey’s new Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups which launched in February and can be found at national retailers.
I love you. Three simple words that most of us throw around loosely and take for granted.
We say them when we hang up the phone, when a loved one leaves the house, and when we kiss our little one good night. And sometimes just out of habit. It’s something a mother hears a million times over a lifetime—unless your child is nonverbal. Then you might never hear it.
It’s one of those things that most don’t even think about. I have told my daughter “I love you“ every day multiple times a day for her whole life. She begins to respond and say, “You too” and then makes the kiss sound, which I will do back and she will do again and I will do back—you get the picture. And that’s okay, I’ll take it. It’s her way, and she didn’t start doing that until she was in her upper teens. It’s still special to us.
This past summer, she said “I love you” unprompted, on her own, for the first time ever. She has only said it two other times since then—it is wonderful every time. It’s quick and not 100 percent clear so you have to listen, pay attention.
There are some that question if people with autism display emotions. I have no doubt my daughter loves—I know she does, and I don’t need the words, but they are nice to hear. I think for her to say it, she has to truly feel it and be happy and content. The same thing with unprompted hugs and kisses. She does them, but they are rare. Lots of hugs on command but not on her own. That makes them all the more rewarding.
Yesterday on her way to school, she was standing by the car and I was getting her stuff, and she said, simply, “I love you.“ It’s so shocking still. It makes me feel so happy, and of course, I say, “You do!?! Thank you!” And make a big deal out of it.
The thing with autism and having someone nonverbal in your life. You learn to appreciate the little things. In fact, the little things are not so little. You have to open your heart and listen. When you think you hear something, you have to believe. Believe in your child. Believe in your love and believe in what the future may bring.
Kim McIsaac , is a blogger at autism adventures with Alyssa . She resides in Massachusetts with her husband and four children . She advocates and passionate about spreading autism awareness and educating and inspiring others . She likes to write , spend time with her family and loves the beach .
Native Shoes is partnering with Disney for a completely cute collab. The brand new collection features a fab footwear line for adults and kids!
The Disney x Native shoes collection is packed with playful prints and your fave film characters, including Mickey and Minnie. This means your entire family will have plenty of playful picks to choose from.
If you’re new to Native Shoes, the fab footwear brand’s motto is “Live Lightly.” This philosophy goes well beyond the feel of the brand’s footwear. Native Shoes are innovative in design and sustainable too.
Collection highlights include the adults’ Jefferson style and the equally adorable version for the kiddos. The shock-absorbent slip-on shoes are odor resistant, hand washable, and come with a durable rubber toe. The adult’s Jefferson is available in sizes ranging from a women’s five to a men’s 12 with an all-over Mickey print set against a dramatic black background and a sweet red Minnie Mouse design.
The child-sized Jefferson shoe option comes in sizes five through juniors’ three and features a red Minnie Mouse design and a white Mickey Mouse pick.
The Disney x Native shoes collection is available online at ShopDisney.com ($44.99 for children’s sizes and $54.99), Walt Disney World Resort and Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. Children’s sizes are available for purchase right now. Adult sizes are currently available for pre-order.
The pandemic has had far reaching effects this past year, but especially for Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizon game. Rising to popularity in 2020, the game that lets you make friends with animals and create your own world now has a makeup line!
Launching today, Jan. 28, the ColourPop x Animal Crossing collaboration has everything you need to get that island look. It has pressed powder eyeshadow palletes, super shock eyeshadows, lip tints, glitter gel and blush. Here are some of our faves!
Cheetos is returning to the Super Bowl stage with a new commercial. The video features Kutcher discovering shocking evidence mysteriously tied to the disappearance of his Cheetos Crunch Pop Mix. Tune in to Super Bowl LIV to see what he does with this Cheetle-coated evidence.
The Super Bowl campaign reveals the next chapter in the brand’s “It’s A Cheetos Thing” ad campaign. Cheetos reclaimed its Super Bowl icon status last year and is back this year with the launch of a campaign and Super Bowl commercial featuring serious star power alongside a seriously delicious snack: newly released Cheetos Crunch Pop Mix. The ad will feature the dangerously cheesy snack mix: a blend of two fan favorites — traditional Cheetos Crunchy and the immensely popular Cheetos Popcorn introduced during last year’s Super Bowl LIV.
“Following the success of Cheetos’ big return to the Super Bowl last year with our biggest innovation in a decade in Cheetos Popcorn, we had to dial up both our product and Super Bowl campaigns this time around,” said Rachel Ferdinando, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Frito-Lay North America. “I humbly believe we’ve accomplished that with new Cheetos Crunch Pop Mix, bringing fans their two most beloved flavors in Cheetos Popcorn with Cheetos Crunchy. And we’re bringing it to the biggest stage with the help of the multi-talented Ashton Kutcher, who we’re thrilled and honored to work with.”
