With all the recent hooplah surrounding the birth of baby Archie, let’s not forget about the other adorable royal kiddos. Prince George just turned six and in celebration his mum and dad (a.k.a. Kate Middleton and Prince William) released photos of the future king.
Royal mama, Middleton, snapped the couldn’t-be-cuter portraits of her eldest. Of course, this isn’t the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has played the role of photographer.
Like many moms, Middleton is often behind the camera when it comes to catching all of those magical childhood moments. But unlike the rest of us, who publish our pics on Facebook or Instagram, Kensington Palace typically releases hers.
The newest shots of George feature the little prince wearing an official England National Soccer Team jersey and show off his super-sweet smile. And yes, like many other six-year-olds, George is missing a tooth! The royals also released another photo of the b-day boy, with George wearing a hunter green polo and sporting striped shorts.
So what are George’s birthday plans? While we’re pretty sure they don’t involve Chuck E. Cheese, bowling or the same type of backyard bash many of us mamas plan, judging by the pics this six-year-old will have plenty of family fun!
The much-anticipated arrival of Toy Story 4 has brought more than its fair share of related merch. From LEGO sets to ice cream, you’re bound to see Buzz and Woody just about everywhere, but this newborn photo shoot takes the fave characters to a whole new level!
Photographer Karen Hourscht of Belly Beautiful Portraits snapped oh-so-sweet pics of two newborns dressed in cutely crocheted Buzz Lightyear and Woody outfits. After posting the photos on Instagram, Hourscht’s Toy Story setup got plenty of attention.
This isn’t the first time Hourscht has photographed newborns in notable movie get-ups. Along with Buzz and Woody, the photographer has also turned babies into characters from Harry Potter:
Mother’s Day is in the books and it looks like plenty of celeb mamas had fab family fun. With the recent births of Meghan Markle’s and Amy Schumer’s babies, not to mention the birthday celebrations of the Kar-Jenner kiddo clan, plenty of noteworthy littles and their mentionable mothers have made Instagram appearances lately.
If you’re curious about what some of your fave famous families did for Mother’s Day, we’ve got all the IG-worthy awesomeness for you!
Kim K’s baby boy was born just a few days ago. But instead of a sneak peek at the new little guy, Kardashian West posted this mother-daughter pic with Kris.
In the new series on motherhood, Conrad welcomes various guests to discuss the things that matter to moms and how to find balance amidst the chaos. The first episode titled, “Motherhood: It Only Looks Easy on Instagram” features a candid chat with New York Times bestselling author, Leslie Anne Bruce on the subject of the pressure to be perfect.
Conrad and Bruce discuss “the pressure we can feel when comparing ourselves to moms on Instagram, who often paint a beautiful and stress-free portrait of motherhood, and we have an honest discussion about the challenges we all face, how to deal with guilt and adjusting to your new life.”
The first episode is now live and available to stream here, with more episodes to come.
Kids will have loads of fun with letters and get a leg up on learning their ABCs with these colorful, inventive alphabet picture books. Picture books make learning the ABCs a fun and memorable learning experience for kids—and adults!
Check out this list to find a book whose characters—be they animal, vegetable, or robot—will click with your toddler or preschooler.
In this alphabet primer, a family of alligators take readers through the ABCs. Maurice Sendak's little book is charming, and even though it was published in the ‘60s, it conveys timeless warmth and humor little ones will respond to. Recommended for ages 2 and older (HarperTrophy, 1962)
Creature ABC is a lovely book that uses wonderful wildlife photos to help teach the alphabet. This massive book features two photographic spreads for each letter. The first two pages present the letter in both upper and lower case with a portrait of the featured animal; the second spread presents another portrait and the animal’s name. Recommended for kids ages 3 and older (Chronicle Books, 2009)
Authored by Bill Martin, Jr. and illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Kids will be delighted by the book characters' tree-climbing antics. Beginning readers and the read-to-me set will enjoy the vibrant art, the bouncy rhymes, the repetition, and the personification of letters. Recommended for ages 2 and older (Simon & Schuster, 1989)
Authored by William Joyce and illustrated by Christina Ellis
The Numberlys is an imaginative chronicle of a group of friends who create the alphabet in a land once ruled by stuffy numbers. It's a great book for highlighting the process of making art, the getting-your-hands-dirty aspect of creation, and the thrill of discovering new things through work and creative spark. Recommended for ages 3 and older (Atheneum, 2014)
While alphabet books can be lots of fun for an illustrator, they may be ho-hum for readers -- but not this one! Robots plus noisy onomatopoeia make for lots of participatory fun. There’s even a visual story threaded through. Recommended for ages 3 and older (Penguin Young Readers Group, 2014)
Authored by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This is a short, simple, happy alphabet book. Kids will like its easy rhyming cadence and the engaging, humorous illustrations. The letters with their funny little faces really come alive, just like real bouncy children. And clever examples, silly details, and patterns make each page enjoyable. Recommended for ages 3 and older (Knopft, 2009)
123 Versus ABC mixes humor and a friendly competition between letters and numbers to equal one very original picture book about counting and reading. Lively illustrations and snappy dialogue between the rivals provide a fun, engaging experience for young readers and parents alike. Recommended for ages 4 and older (Harper, 2013)
From A to Z, each page of A Is for Art presents an imaginative and original work of abstract art, either a sculpture, painting, and collage, as well as a list of witty, and sometimes challenging, alliterative words to demonstrate the sound. Recommended for ages 4 and older (Simon & Schuster, 2009)
Nick Bruel's comically cantankerous cat is back with a laugh-out-loud story perfect for both building vocabularies and easing children's trick-or-treating jitters as Halloween night draws near. Bad Kitty Scaredy-Cat rips through four rounds of the alphabet, and each round is zanier than the last. Recommended for ages 4 and older (Roaring Brook Press, 2016)
Authored and illustrated by Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss turns the alphabet from 52 shapes and 26 sounds one has to memorize into an exercise in rhyming and wordplay. Uppercase and lowercase letters are taken for a spirited airing, matched with an apt selection of fun words, all set in the suitably absurd world of Seuss characters and creatures. Recommended for ages 4 and older (Random House, 1963
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.
Stronajai Miles was doing her daily backpack check last week when she came across quite the gem in her son’s bag. The Atlanta, Georgia mom shared her findings on Facebook and the result? Her son’s school picture went viral.
When Miles pulled out a packet from Lifetouch School Photography, she was expecting to find a pose similar to her own from way back in the day. Instead, the face staring back at her was a cross between a scream and a dinosaur roar––and we can’t stop smiling.
After sharing her dismay that the photos weren’t more “traditional,” she contacted the company and learned they actually favor “free-spirited” poses. That—combined with the more than 40,000 shares on Facebook—has the mom rethinking her take on the portrait.
In a Facebook post, Miles says that “knowing that his silly picture brought joy all over the world, how can I continue to be flustered?” (And yes, she did buy the pictures!)
If you’re headed to Southern California you’ll want to check out Valentine’s Day at Disneyland. From now until Feb. 18, the park is decked out in fun Valentines decor that celebrates Mickey and Minnie Mouse and of course, the day of love!
From the moment you enter the park, you’ll notice the heart decorations, flower “portrait,” perfect for that photo opp off Main Street U.S.A. and plenty of sweet treats. Did we also mention there’s a scavenger hunt?
Help the kids complete Minnie’s Valentine’s Surprise, a special scavenger hunt where guests help Mickey find hidden valentines throughout the park. All you have to do is purchase a commemorative map and stickers at select merchandise locations, find the secret valentines and then return your completed map to Disney Showcase to redeem a special Valentine’s surprise!
And of course, it wouldn’t be Valetine’s month at Disneyland without some sweet treats, like this adorable Minnie Mouse-inspired Specialty Funnel Cake, available at Stage Door Cafe at Disneyland Park.
Don’t forget to check out the seasonal entertainment, especially Get Your Ears On–A Mickey and Minnie Celebration. This show is all about celebrating the 90-year legacy of our favorite mouse couple, Disney style.
U.S. Olympic skier Bode Miller welcomed a son with wife Morgan Beck over the weekend. According to the couple’s midwife, the water home birth was a magical moment for both of the proud parents, especially after tragedy struck their family this past summer.
In June, the couple lost their one-year-old daughter Emeline, called Emmy, in accidental drowning in their neighbor’s pool. Even though the Millers will never forget their daughter, the addition of their newest family member is a welcome joy after such a painful summer following Emmy’s death. Obviously baby boy Miller (the couple has not yet released their son’s name) can never take the place of his older sister—and his first photo is a powerful portrait of such an emotional moment in the Miller family.
In the months since this unthinkable tragedy, the couple has made a point of raising awareness of water safety and drowning. In July Morgan told TODAY, “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t pray for the opportunity to go back to that day and make it different, but now we have this opportunity to make other parents’ days different.”
The couples’ midwife, Lindsey Meehleis, shared pics of the home birth with TODAY, speaking candidly about the delivery. Baby boy Miller’s birthday is one month to the day before his older sister would have turned two. During her interview with TODAY, Meehleis shared, “An overwhelming feeling of joy started to fill a valley of deep grief and sadness.”
Meehleis added, “While nothing will ever replace the feeling of aching arms to hold Emmy again, this baby provided something new this day: joy, inspiration and hope.”
She may only be three-months-old, but Liberty Wexler has already played many roles. Yep. She’s the baby dressed up as Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Instagram. Oh but that’s not all. Nope. This adorable infant is pictured as some pretty famous figures from history in a series of photos that have since gone viral.
Mom Jenelle Wexler started taking cute costume pics of toddler son River well before she got the idea to put baby Liberty in a RBG costume. So what was thinking behind the Instagram awesomeness? Wexler told Red Tricycle, “I feel it is important to pay tribute to the women who fought for an helped to protect and further women’s causes. I only hope these are the individuals that Liberty herself chooses to admire and aspire to be like.”
What famous women has Liberty played? Check out some of the most imaginative ideas that this creative mama had!
This fab photo features the iconic artist. As the first in Wexler’s “Influential Woman” series, this post is more than just cute. It pays honor to a true pioneer.
With a remarkable career spanning decades, Clinton is much more than a presidential candidate. As a trailblazer and advocate for important issues, such as healthcare reform, she’s a true game-changer. Oh, and this version is aww-dorable too!
Those glasses. That gavel. This couldn’t be cuter pic of RBG highlights the accomplishments of the second female to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice.
You can’t have an influential women IG without including the “Material Girl” herself!
Wexler also added, “I am hopeful that when Liberty is older and looks back at these photos, she finds them to be fun yet informatively positive. In addition, I wanted to bring attention to specific stories, to show how important these women’s actions were in helping to shape our current society for the better. I believe these women continue to inspire the young females of present day to push boundaries and strive beyond equality.”
If these soooooo sweet photos inspire you (or just makes you squeal, “Aww!”), check out Wexler’s @photographyofliberty IG account!
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s third child was the center of England’s attention on Jul. 9. Little Prince Louis’ christening was a full-family event that included his mum and dad (obviously) along with plenty of other royalty.
The official portraits, taken by photographer Matt Holyoak, feature a who’s who of the British royal family. Pictured in the all-too-elegant family portrait are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or as Louis knows them—mum and dad). Prince Louis’ big bro and sis (Prince George and Princess Charlotte), the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (a.k.a. Prince Harry and new bride Meghan Markle), the Prince of Wales (Louis’ grandfather, Prince Charles) and the Duchess of Cambridge.
The portrait didn’t just include the royals. Along with the various dukes, duchesses, princes and princess were Kate Middleton’s family—her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, as well as little sister Pippa Matthews and her husband James, and “little” bro, James Middleton.
The christening photos also included sweet pics of Prince William, Kate and their kiddos as well as two stunning photos of just mum and baby.
Noticeably absent from the family portrait? The Queen. Even though Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the christening, there is a gentle reminder of Louis’ great-grandmother in the pics. The fam photo includes a portrait of the Queen, hanging just over Michael Middleton’s shoulder!
