April is packed with celeb birthdays. Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Russell Crowe, Cynthia Nixon and Mandy Moore to name a few. Along with the A-list bunch, designer, HGTV star, author and entrepreneur Joanna Gaines is also in the April birthday club. And we’ve got the deets on the sweet way she celebrated.
Gaines recently posted a pastel-filled pic on Instagram, showing fans her 41st birthday morning. With the caption, “Sweet kids surprised me this morning with all my favorites: fresh flowers, hot donuts, breakfast tacos and a pretty color palette,” we’re pretty sure that the mama to five had an absolutely magnificent morning.
This isn’t the first time Gaines has had a breakfast-time bday bash at home. In 2016 Gaines’ husband Chip and four kiddos (obviously this was before baby Crew’s birth) threw her a superhero-styled breakfast birthday party.
Whether it’s kids sporting superhero masks or fresh-cut flowers and hot donuts (yes please!), it looks like a breakfast bash is all the rage—at least in the Gaines household. And given the popularity of just about everything this family does, it won’t surprise us if mamas across the country follow suit. After all, who doesn’t want to wake up to a homemade meal and their kiddos’ smiling faces?
The movie might not debut until June, but Toy Story 4 ice cream is will hit the shelves in the freezer section soon. Reports recently surfaced that Edy’s new Pixar-themed flavors are gradually launching in stores around the United States.
Edy’s isn’t just releasing one Toy Story 4-themed flavor. The movie-inspired ice cream awesomeness will come in two fab flavors: Cinnamon Churro Carnival Combo and Chocolate Peanut Butter Midway Mash.
What can you expect from these from-the-film flavors? The Cinnamon Churro Carnival Combo is a magnificent mix of vanilla ice cream with swirls of cinnamon and churro chunks. The second flavor, Chocolate Peanut Butter Midway Mash, is exactly what the name implies—chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and yes, even more chocolate inside.
Along with the feature film flavors, the packaging also includes some of Toy Story’s most notable faces—and a few new friends, too. Look for Woody, Buzz and Forky (who appeared in the first trailer for Toy Story 4) as well as Bunny and Ducky, new carnival characters voiced by Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key that appeared in the Toy Story 4 reaction trailer.
According to PEOPLE, a rep from Nestle confirmed that the two new flavors are available for a limited time through September 2019. Where can you find the new limited-edition Toy Story 4 ice cream? According to Nestle, the flavors are available now at stores throughout the country, so that means you’ll have to check your grocer’s freezer section—and often!
Chicago is world-renowned for being a city of magnificent architecture and the marvel extends to the fountains and statues that decorate its nooks and crannies. Thanks to a city-wide initiative by Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and UK-based Sing London, some of these public works of art can literally speak to you. Read on to learn how to hear the stories these masterpieces have to tell using well-known Chicagoans as their mouthpiece.
photo: Cloud Gate via Johnny Knight
How does it work?
Some of Chicago’s most celebrated writers, actors and comedians were tapped to create monologues for some of the most popular statues across the city. When you scan the QR code located on a plaque next to the statue, you’ll receive a phone call from John C. Reilly as Abraham Lincoln, Steve Carrell as a man clutching a fish by the Shedd Aquarium, David Schwimmer dialing you up as the Bean and so on. Each statue has its own unique story to share and collectively, they tell the story of our city.
How do you find the statues?
When you’re out and about, keep an eye out for the blue Statue Stories plaques and have your phones ready. Statue Stories has created 5 different suggestions for self-guided walking tours that cover as many as 7 stops or you can download the map to create your own tour.
photo: Art Institute of Chicago Lions via Johnny Knight
Which have been the most popular?
Since the street theater project premiered in 2015, over 100,000 listeners have engaged with the statues. The biggest talkers being Cloud Gate, Bob Newhart and the lions guarding the Art Institute of Chicago. Statues in parks across the city are also chatty including Renée Fleming as the Spirit of Music in Grant Park, Elizabeth McGovern as the Goddess Hebe in Grant Park, Lamome Morris as the World’s Fair bison in Humboldt Park, Malcolm London as Paul Laurence Dunbar, and David Kersnar as The Tin Man in Oz Park.
photo: Fountain Girl via Johnny Knight
How long does the initiative run?
The statues will be taking calls now through the end of December 2018. To learn more visit their website at statuestorieschicago.com.
Have you gotten a call from a city statue? We’d love to hear about it in the Comments.
Nestled in the central California coast in San Luis Obispo County, the Highway 1 Discovery Route (H1DR) spans from Ragged Point to the dunes of Nipomo. This region has breathtaking natural beauty, amazing outdoor adventure and delicious restaurants. There is so much to see, taste and discover—come along and check out our favorite spots!
Stay
The Blue Dolphin Inn
The Blue Dolphin Inn in Cambria is directly on Moonstone Beach, offering spectacular ocean views and beautiful trails to explore just steps away from your room. Even though this is a relaxing environment they are also super child-friendly and accommodating. Their breakfast is included and delivered to your room in the morning. Your little ones will enjoy choosing what they want to eat for breakfast as they play by the fireplace with the decorative starfish and shells.
6470 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA
888-927-3300 Online:cambriainns.com
Eat
Linn’s Restaurant
Linn’s began as a farm fruit stand and over time has grown into a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Linn’s serves perfectly-executed comfort food with really high quality and fresh ingredients. Try their beautiful home-made soups, original seafood dishes, locally-sourced meats, or their famous pot-pies. And be sure to save room after your meal as they boast one of the most extensive dessert menus in the region. You must try the olallieberry pie. It’s so good and not too sweet.
Linn’s Restaurant
2277 Main Street, Cambria, CA
805-927-0371 Online: linnsfruitbin.com
Robin’s Restaurant
For more than 25 years, this local favorite has been serving amazing food in its vine-covered patio and cozy interior. Robin’s features eclectic choices as Vietnamese spring rolls, Portobello and spinach lasagna and peach-glazed pork baby back ribs. The curries are Thai-influenced and simply delicious.
Sebastian’s and Hearst Ranch Winery
This awesome lunch spot is across the street from Hearst Castle and located in the historic Sebastian Brother’s General Store. Built in 1852 at the peak of the whaling industry, the Sebastian Brothers provided goods and services to whalers, fishermen, miners and neighboring ranches. The interior walls are covered in interesting artifacts from that area and the sunny patio offers expansive views. Try their hamburgers made from their own cattle or flaky fish and chips with homemade sauce.
Elephant Seal Rookery
The Northern Elephant Seal migrates thousands of miles twice each year, from the open oceans to a land-based rookery, where it breeds, births, molts and rests between trips. The Piedras Blancas rookery, on HWY 1, north of San Simeon is home to about 15,000 animals. The area is open for viewing every day of the year and docents are on site daily from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Come see these magnificent marine mammals up close on one of the prettiest coastlines in California.
The Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Cove
The Center offers interactive exhibits and education programs which highlight the cultural and natural history of San Simeon, California State Parks and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Bonus: Free Admission! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m-5 p.m.
The Hearst Castle
Take the family on a tour of this impressive California castle where William Hearst entertained the rich and famous of his time. View the magnificent ground floor rooms of La Casa Grande (big house) and enjoy the amazing art Hearst acquired from all around the world.
750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA
(800)444-4445 Online:hearstcastle.org
The Highway 1 Discovery Route
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the H1DR is made up of ten diverse artisan towns and seaside villages starting just south of Big Sur. Through the end of February, the H1DR offers special programming to celebrate the fifth annual Coastal Discovery & Stewardship Celebration. Immerse yourself in the local marine life, coastal heritage and natural attractions along the iconic CA Highway 1 Discovery Route. Watch a movie at Hearst Castle, tour the Piedras Blancas Light Station, explore Monarch Butterfly migration and more. Plan your trip south during this time to take advantage of all that is offered.
Your little snow bunny doesn’t get the winter blues. Instead, he’s all about making the most of the season’s white-stuff bounty. We couldn’t agree more! That’s why we’ve rounded up the coolest winter fests the country has to offer so you can get your snow, sled, ski and polar plunge fixes in all season long. Flip through to find a winter wonderland celebration near you!
Bavarian Ice Fest – Leavenworth, Wa – Jan. 13-14, 2018
This decidedly Alps-like town nestled in the mountains of Eastern Washington will still be sporting its over 500,000 winter holiday lights for this year’s annual IceFest. When you and your bundled babes aren’t busy ducking in and out of chocolate shops and nostalgic toy stores that line the main drag, you can watch snow scultpures being erected from the surrounding snow, play IceFest games and activities, and cheer on participants in the annual snowmobile sled pull. But whatever you do, don’t miss the magnificent fireworks display that lights up the night during the festival.
Travel Tip: Be sure to check out the Stevens Pass Grom playgound for your winter crew for even more snow-tastic good times!
Unless you work in Times Square, it can be easy to forget that NYC is a major family tourist destination. The city’s hotels, however, do not, and that’s good news for both resident and visiting clans. Whether you’re planning a staycation, researching a fantasy birthday experience or want some out of town kids to get the white glove treatment, these spots go out of their way to offer over-the-top amenities and other goodies for junior guests. Click through to see NYC’s most kid-friendly hotels!
For a Palace Princess Experience
If you've got a resident princess in the house, consider Lotte NY's Palace Princess Package. Available in the deluxe section of the hotel "The Towers", the experience begins when you check-in at a special area reserved for guests of the "hotel within a hotel" behind glass doors. And then, the moment, when your princess enters the room and spies a perfectly pink princess dress, complete with light-up tiara artfully laid out for her on the bed. (Our princess almost passed out.) On the table, a personalize card welcoming the palace princess is set out, complete with a trio of cupcakes, pink, crown-shaped cookies, and a chocolate sculpture surrounded by gourmet bon bons. (Our room had a big mirror, which was made good use of.) The views looking down on the magnificent St. Patrick's Cathedral and midtown aren't to shabby, either.
You’ll never outgrow your desire for a tree house escape. So put your head in the clouds gazing at these amazing lofty abodes (you can even visit a few to turn your dreams into reality!). From ducking into a Hobbit home in the Black Hills to sleeping amidst the mango trees in Bali, one glance at these sky high retreats may send you globetrotting. Scroll through our slideshow and watch your wanderlust soar to new heights!
The 7th Room
Located a lofty ten meters up in the pines, this amazing modern retreat sleeps five and boasts panoramic views and skylights for viewing the magnificent northern lights. The designers of The 7th Room included a brilliant 'experience level' that consists of a terrace made of net which allows pine to grow and spread through it so visitors can climb onto it and either look down below to the forest floor or lie on it to gaze up at the starry sky.
You don’t have to be brilliant with a bento box to make your kids’ lunchtime extra special—a sweet note can work just as well. From secret scratch-off messages to tasty treats, here are 12 cute ways to make the midday meal magnificent. Flip through the gallery to take a peek.
Sweet Scratcher
Everyone loves a good scratch, which is why we adore these creative lunchbox notes from Inklings Paperie. There’s 15 notes in a batch; you simply write your own message and cover with the scratch-off label. Come lunch time, your sweet student will discover the hidden message! Designed in a fun chalk texture with a herringbone graphic on the back, these chic notes will be an insta-hit in the cafeteria.
Blockbuster actor Chris Pratt announced he was taking a well-deserved break from acting to spend more time with his family. After shooting three films back-to-back (The Magnificent Seven (out Friday), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Chris Pratt is focused on the biggest role any man can ask for: husband and father.
He and his lovely wife, actress Anna Faris, and their two-year-old son, Jack, will be spending quality time together for the next six months. Chris told Parade “I’m taking Jack to Jack’s Beach—which is what we named the little stretch of beach on an island up on the San Juan Islands where we got a place. We’re going to go back to the fort we built about a month and a half ago when we went for a short visit and see if that’s still there. If not, we’re going to build it again.”
Trying to keep track of your wiggle worms and all the stuff they have to bring while traveling is no easy feat; it’s a given that treasured items may go missing (FYI: airplanes and cars love to eat LEGOs). This year, keep your losses at a minimum, and try stocking up on gear that travels well. Flip through the album below to sneak a peek at 10 magnificent magnetic toys that’ll stick around long enough to get from Point A to Point B.
Patterns on the Go
Pattern and puzzle lovers will stay occupied for hours with an Imagination Patterns Kit. Self-contained in a sturdy carrying case with rope handle, it opens up to a dry erase board, 42 colored, magnetic pieces and 50 full-color puzzle cards varying in difficulty. Kids can either use the cards, or their own imagination to create patterns and pictures and the magnetic pieces will limit the amount of time you spend digging under the seat for that last building block. Ages 3 and up.
