The summer sun is peeking through and with all those extra daylight hours and outdoor action, your kiddos need some eye protection. We’ve got the scoop on all the new glasses from our favorite brands. Scroll down to find your kiddo’s best new accessory.
Zenni Optical
With an average price point of around $40, Zenni Optical is a great choice for kids' sunglasses this summer. Kids can really show their own style with different tints, mirrored lenses and lots of fun styles to choose from.
Additionally, Zenni just released its 2021 Pride Collection of rainbow frames and is donating a portion of the proceeds from this collection to the It Gets Better Project for the fourth consecutive year.
UV protection and style galore is the name of the game when you snag some shades from Jonas Paul. With prices starting at just $19 and loads of colors to choose from, you can order a few pairs for when they (inevitably) get lost at the beach. Use their virtual try-on program to see what the sunnies look like on your kid before you order!
These adorable shades are not only sturdy enough for tiny tots, but they come in a wide variety of colors, so your little trendsetter can pick her favorite! The frames are bendable and durable and if you break or lose them within the first year, you'll get a new pair for free! Made with FDA-approved impact-resistant lenses that provide 100% UVA and 100% UVB protection, Weefarers come in sizes from 0-2 and 2-4.
Sunski has launched kid-sized versions of two of their most popular frames: the Mini Dipsea and the Mini Headland. These sunglasses are both sustainable and stylish. The frames are made from recycled materials, there's no plastic packaging, Sunski participates in 1% for the planet, and the company is also carbon neutral. The glasses are also polarized, have 100% UV-resistant lenses and come in sizes that fit kids ages 5-11.
JUNiA offers a range of sweet styles for kids with 100% UVA/UVB protection. They are as durable as they are stylish with shatterproof lenses and unbreakable hinges. Check out all of the styles in JUNiA's collection for a wide variety of sleek, chic sunglasses for kids of all ages. We love that you can shop by "lifestyle," too (adventurer, trend setter, prep school).
These vintage-inspired sunglasses from Toucca Kids offer a classic style with modern perks like pinch-free hinges, 100% UVA/UVB protection, shatter and scratch-resistant lenses and polarization to reduce glare. They also have an extra-large nose pad for a comfortable fit. We adore the gender-neutral Blonde Havana Brandons ($49) for kiddos 2-6, but you'll find a ton of other options at touccakids.com or on Amazon.
Real Shades Screen Shades
Real Shades
Real Shades just launched Screen Shades, designed to protect eyes not only from sun (they offer 100% UVA and UVB protection) but also from damage caused by harmful bluelight emitted from tablets, computers, gaming consoles, smartphones and more! Available in sizes toddler (2+), kid (4+), youth (7+) and adult. They also come in tons of cool colors.
For parents in the know, Babiators are a first-choice for protective and stylish eyewear for babies, toddlers and bigger kids. Best part? They stay on! (Okay, the best part is how cute your kids look in sunglasses.) The Agent are among the newest glasses in the collection and are part of the Blue Series. The black frames with blue, mirrored polarized lenses are perfect for the little spy in your life. They come in sizes 0-2, 3-5 and 6+. $35
This French eyewear line has been making stylish sunglasses for parents for years but they also make amazing eyewear for kids, like the Looping 2, designed just for babies. They're wraparound with curved temples and a flat elastic strap, hinge-free and with a reversible frame (frames are symmetrical so they won't be upside-down.)Total protection for your littlest explorer! $35
Why have just one color when you can have two? These sweet solar-activated shades from Real Shades not only offer the 100% UV eye protection you need but they change colors when your kiddo hits the sunlight. The yellow ones change to orange; the green change to blue; the pale purple turn fuschia and the pinks go from light to bright. And at just $14.95, you can get two pairs! Plus, you can get them in three sizes: toddler, for 2+, kid for 4+ and big kid, 7+ so you can guarantee you’ll get the right fit for your crew.
Oakley is already known for being quality eyewear for athletes and active people, so it makes perfect sense that they came up with sunnies for the smaller set. Prices range from $100-$120 and the styles include the Turbine and the Radar, as well as styles of prescription lenses perfect for active kids.
From Baby Banz, these 100% UVA/UVB protection glasses offer sunglare reduction and cool color combos. Identical in style and function to the bestselling JBanZ style, these ones come in cute dual palettes: black and pink; white and black; brown and tan; and navy and white. Ideal for ages 4-10, they retail at $27.99.
Never mind the snow: spring is coming! It might seem early to be making plans to garden with the kids, but the truth is, it’s almost time to start seeds indoors! (A cool, educational thing to do with kids in the final days of winter.) Lots of families learned the joy of urban gardening when it swept NYC last year, and rest assured: anyone can grow and nurture plants with some research and the right advice. We spoke to local experts about how you can garden with kids in NYC whether you have a windowsill or a wide open field. Read on to get growing!
You know this from grammar school—heck, your kids know this from grammar school—but just to review, these are the key ingredients for happy, healthy plants.
Emily Carter, Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Children’s Garden Assistant Coordinator, stresses that getting these basic plant needs right will lead to a good experience for both your family and the plants: "Remember that sun, water, and nutrients (healthy soil) are the fundamentals of happy plants, so focus on how you can provide those basics."
Location, location, location First, some good news: You can grow many things indoors, as long as you pick your plants carefully. If you're gardening for the first time, that's the first thing you'll need to consider — your available space.
Where will you put your plants? You can grow plants indoors, grow them in-ground or in pots outdoors, use a window box, or some combination of these. The space you have for your little garden will determine what kinds of plants you get, so give it some thought before you go seed shopping!
Sunlight Another important factor to consider is the sunlight available in your space.
Does your place get a lot of natural light throughout the day, or are you working with a square foot of direct sunlight for an hour in the morning? (That's the experience of this writer, and we still managed to get some plants to grow, so don't be disheartened!) Even if you have outdoor space, think about how often it's in shadow. Depending on the amount of sunlight you have at your disposal, you can consider supplementing the natural sunlight with some grow lights, but it's often easier to choose to grow plants that suitable to the conditions you have.
Quality soil Not all soil is made equal! The NYC Parks Department describes the best potting soils as containing "peat, sphagnum moss, perlite, and vermiculite." Stay away from the dollar store stuff and invest in a quality soil that contains those components listed as primary ingredients. It really makes all the difference!
Water Once you get your plants situated, you'll need to water them, of course. You don't need any special sources or water here: Tap water — and NYC tap water in particular — should be perfectly safe for your plants, though it's recommended that you leave the water sitting until it's room temperature to reduce the chances of shock from the temperature shift in the soil.
You might think that the more water, the better but the truth is actually closer to the opposite: Many first time plant owners tend to overwater their plants, causing them to die! Juliette Vassilkioti, founder of NYC-based indoor plant experts My City Plants, recommends that you make sure top of soil is completely dry before watering your plant. (You can stick a finger into the top inch of soil to make sure it's dry — a task the kids are sure to love taking part in!)
Are you getting plants because you think they’re beautiful or delicious? Do you want your kids to actively participate or do you plan to turn the experience into a full teaching moment? Your reasons for starting a garden (indoor or out) will guide your plant- and seed-purchasing decisions.
Set yourself up for success by picking plants that are more forgiving of beginners.Here are some of the best starter plants for first-time gardeners and budding young botanists.
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Vegetables & Herbs
Davor Denkovski via Unsplash
Both Carter from the BBG and the gardeners at Wave Hill recommend leafy greens and culinary herbs for growing plants with kids. Plants like lettuce, arugula, mesclun, mustard greens, basil, thyme, mint, and oregano are not only easy to grow, but they also "put on growth that kids can harvest at any stage and don't have to wait for a whole season," point out Wave Hill experts.
Carter notes that "These plants have edible leaves, which means they require less solar energy and time to be edible. Plants like tomatoes require much more solar energy and time to grow leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. Therefore, they are not the best match for small indoor spaces." (In general, vegetables and fruits need a lot of direct sunlight.)
If you do have an outdoor space that gets six to eight hours of sun available, Wave Hill and the BBG name eggplant, pepper, and tomato as good plants to start indoors. Move them outside when the weather warms, whether your plan is to replant them in the ground or into larger pots. You can either start these from seed (more on that below) or buy "starter", or smaller plants at your local garden center. If you do plan on potting your plants in containers, know that some varieties have been developed specifically for growing in containers, which means you'll likely have more success with them.
If you have the luxury of a patch of sunny soil, Carter recommends radishes and carrots. "If you can grow in-ground, many radish varieties have a quick harvest turnaround and carrots come in lots of exciting colors."
Beans and other legumes are a good choice for beginning botany. Per Wave Hill, "[They are] a fun crop because they offer an introduction to seed biology and plant structure. The large seeds produce cotyledons and roots that help kids visualize how seeds can transform into full-grown plants."
You can also settle somewhere in between by planting the BBG's recommended choices for large outdoor pots, whether that's in your garden or in a window box: Herbs like rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, cilantro, and dill. (Hot tip: cilantro often "bolts" or produces seeds, especially as the weather warms; one way to maintain a supply is to periodically seed throughout the season.)
Flowers
Robert Zunikoff via Unsplash
If you're looking to brighten up your space and attract wildlife and insects, flowers are a great choice. BBG's Carter recommends marigolds (shown above)— their seeds germinate easily indoors and they can be moved into larger outdoor pots later in the spring. Nasturtium are also a good choice— you'll need to soak their seeds overnight then start them indoors or plant them directly outside in May. (Once they flower, you can add their vibrant flowers to your salads!) "And don’t forget your giant sunflowers," adds Carter. These are definitely outdoor plants, as they can grow up to 16 feet tall depending on the variety! (Smaller varieties are available as well.)
Planting flowers native to this area is also a good bet, as they are more likely to thrive in conditions here. For outdoor containers like window boxes, balcony pots, or gardens, NYC Parks suggests planting native perennials, which return every year, such as milkweed... bee balm, and native grasses which are great for bees, butterflies, and moths."
A mix of flowers and herbs can also be used to create a sensory garden with plants that stimulate the senses with "Strong smells (basil, mint), unique textures (nasturtium, snap dragons), beautiful colors that attract pollinators (zinnias, marigolds, and other flowers)."
When to plant inside For plants you plan to move outdoors, start them from seeds about six weeks before the last frost, which typically occurs in NYC in April. So if you plan to move your plants outdoors in early May (past May 7 is officially listed as a "safe" time to plant without fear of frost), you'll need to start your seeds around late March.
Wave Hill's gardeners add that "many warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplant benefit from transplanting seedlings. But most vegetables and flowers that are recommended to be started indoors can also be direct-sown, you just have to be a little more patient. The most important factor in timing seed starting is your area’s last, frost-free date and the specific needs of each plant."
Some seeds may need extra help Know what your plant needs to do its thing. For example, some plants like basil, tomato, and pepper can only germinate when the soil is warm (between 65- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit), so if you're planting inside to get things started, consider buying a heat mat or placing the seed tray above your heater.
When to plant outside If you're planting your seeds directly in the ground outdoors, they'll require a bit more care. In addition to choosing your planting time based on the need of each plant, you'll also need to consider compost, mulch, and pest control.
Mid-April to mid-May is a good time to start planting outdoors, since you're likely to be safe from frost by then. According to NYC Parks, April and May are also when you'd typically plant flowering plants like dahlias, sunflowers, and cosmos.
But at the end of the day, each plant has its own needs and requirements. "Remember," says Carter, "The back of seed packets and a quick internet search of the plants you hope to grow will let you know exactly what each plant needs, to better guide your decisions."
Additional food for thought Whether you're sowing outside or starting your seeds indoors, Carter also has some more intuitive advice if you want your little garden to yield vegetables and other edible goodies: "If you are hoping to grow outside, a good way to gauge timing is to think about what is 'in-season' in your grocery store throughout the year. Radish peas, beets, and arugula are the freshest in the spring, which means that starting your seeds in late winter will allow you to have a harvest several months later. Tomato, pepper, zucchini, beans, and eggplant is fresh and abundant at the farmers market in the summer. They like to grow in warm temperatures, which tells you that starting those seeds may be best in early to mid-spring so that they can grow big in the summer heat."
"Again," says Carter, "refer to your seed packets when you are thinking about timing for your plants! Agricultural extension webpages can give more specific seed starting times for the region that you live in, but it’s also exciting to think intuitively and follow the weather patterns of your area."
The easiest places to get seeds and starter plants are plant nurseries, hardware stores, and garden centers. There are also many, many seed resources online (packages from one of our favorites Hudson Valley Seed Company shown here), but it can be fun to go to a store and pick out the seed packets with the kids. Know that the hard-core gardeners are already snapping up packets online and some seeds are selling out.
Beyond shopping around, there's one other excellent place where you can get some great plants to start with: Your kitchen. "Get creative!" says Carter. "You can use kitchen scraps to experiment with regrowing plants, try planting nuts and seeds you find outside, and reuse milk cartons or plastic drink containers to house your plants." Be sure to punch drainage holes at the base of recycled containers.
See What Works
Tilth Alliance @ Good Shepherd Center, Children's Garden
In the end, it's important to remember that while science is a big part of gardening, it's not an exact science. Any seasoned gardener will tell you that trial and error is part of the process; it often takes seeing what doesn't work to find out what does. "The best lesson that we have learned in our gardening journeys is to 'give it a try!'," says Carter of the BBG. "Plants are very resilient and the best way to learn is to put a seed in soil and keep track of what happens. Some may die and others may thrive, but diving right into the experience is the best way to learn."
If you love plants but have a brown thumb, a faux succulent may be just the thing for you. Luckily, Disney has you covered with its brand new Chip Succulent that is equal parts magic and cuteness.
“Despite Chip’s flawed appearance, no liquids need spill from this pot inspired by the little cup from Beauty and the Beast,” reads the product description. The $14.99 plant is set in coarse sand and comes in a fully sculpted pot that looks like the real deal.
The five-inch tall cup is perfect for adding just the right amount of whimsy to your desk, kitchen or family room and requires no watering or sunlight. You can snag the brand-new product at shopDisney for just $14.99.
The first 48 hours go by so fast. You’re basking in the glow of love. Take a few moments and capture those precious moments of bonding before you head home and the family arrives to see the new addition.
Because of COVID-19, hospitals aren’t allowing professional photographers into the hospitals to take any pictures. Most mother-baby stays are shorter than normal to ensure that mom, dad, and baby all stay healthy.
So what’s the best way to document the first memories of your baby’s life? Kendra Greenberg Photography has tips and tricks for taking professional-looking pictures that you will want to frame, put in an album, and use for your baby announcements all from your iPhone. You can absolutely create some lasting images from your time in the hospital.
Kendra is a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in the Los Angeles area. She has photographed over 1200 newborns at the hospital in their first two days of life and also does posed newborn photography. To learn more about Kendra, visit her website at KendraGreenberg.com and on Instagram @kendraslife.
1. Make a Plan
Visual examples are your best friend. Check out this free PDF Kendra has included if you need some inspiration. Also, if you have time, you can create a Pinterest page of in-hospital baby pictures that you would like to recreate.
Make sure to pack the items that you want with you in the photos, for example, a nice robe, baby outfits/headbands, plus any make-up and hair styling tools you’ll need if you want a certain look.
2. Kendra’s Must-Have Shots
Mom with baby
Dad with Baby
Baby Portrait: Pictures of the baby by themselves
Tiny Pieces: Close-ups on the head, hands, and feet
Family Picture: Have the nurse take this one!
3. It’s All about the Lighting
First, turn off all artificial lights and get everyone by the window—trust me—turn them off. Natural light complements all skin tones the best. If you leave any other lights on in your room, your baby and the photo will look orange, regardless of your skin tone. Also, turn off your flash. The flash will ruin the natural shadows that we love in documentary-style photography. On your iPhone screen, tap on the part of the image where you want sharp focus. This will also correct the brightness of the image.
PRO TIP: Don’t photograph anyone with the window directly behind them. Most hospitals have a blackout curtain and a shade curtain. Use the shade curtain if it’s too bright. Make sure there is no harsh sunlight on anyone. Make sure the soft light from the window is lighting their faces.
4. Frame It Up
Get close to your subject to make the photo look more artistic. With intense close-ups like these, you will naturally get a blurry background which will give the picture that professional effect. You’ll want to focus the image in the same way as you did for step four: on your iphone screen, tap on the part of the image where you want sharp focus. This will also correct the brightness of the image. This technique is especially nice for images of the head, hands, and feet.
PRO TIP: Physically move your body closer instead of using the in-phone zoom feature. If you zoom in digitally the image will pixelate and you won’t get good print quality.
5. Get in the Picture
Moms, Dads, get in the picture with your baby! Don’t worry about how you look! Years from now all you’ll see is the glow of love on your face. Those first 48 hour memories are priceless and you can’t recreate the moment when you get home.
For parents who would still really prefer not to be photographed: Consider using your hands under the baby’s head or cheek for an artistic shot. As the baby gets older, they will cherish the image of you and them together.
PRO TIP: Photographing a parent from above with his/her eyes closed and head leaning in close to the baby is a very artistic and flattering shot. Everyone looks good in this picture! Regardless of how much sleep they’ve gotten. Just make sure to get very close and tap the screen to focus on the baby’s face.
6. Choose the Right Moment
Babies are either sleeping, eating, pooping, or everything at the same time, lol! You want to take your pictures when the baby has a full belly and/or is drifting off to sleep. It’s very difficult to get pictures of a one-day-old baby when their eyes are open because that usually means that they’re uncomfortable for some reason.
A warm room will make the baby more comfortable, but don’t let it get too hot for too long. Remember, if you have any questions, consult the medical staff. A tight swaddle, gentle rocking, and shushing sounds mimic the conditions in mommy’s womb. The nurses are expert swaddlers and they love to help new parents.
Most of all, have fun with it! Your first 48 hours with your baby are magical. Enjoy every precious minute of it together and remember, don’t forget to take the pictures!
I'm a mom to 3 crazy kids, wife and, photographer! I’ve been a photographer for 20+ years. I have photographed over 1200 newborns in hospitals all across Los Angeles and it never gets old. I’ll never lose the awe and wonder at this journey of self discovery that is parenthood.
Having four teenage girls, all in high school, you can imagine I am rarely by myself and if I happen to be, it is usually to use the restroom, shower, or on my way home after driving one of them to a friend’s house.
But last week I went snowshoeing alone…Deep in the woods.
Alone.
It took me some time to settle in and stop worrying a bobcat was going to jump out and attack me, but I kept moving forward.
Step by step, I gained more confidence and left my fears behind.
Alone…for the first time in a long time.
So there I was, alone in the woods.
Alone with my deepest thoughts.
Alone with the quiet and the sunlight peeking through the trees creating the most glorious shadows.
So as I walked along, listening to the crunching beneath my feet, I recognized that I truly wasn’t alone and an inner peace embraced me.
There I was, trudging through the pathway of white, in all of my fullness.
This alone time was a gift as I was wrapping myself up in self-love and providing a space to reflect and grow.
Who knew just a short three-mile snowshoeing trek could open up my heart to hearing and seeing new parts of myself.
Who knew the quiet and solitude would allow inner conversations to emerge and come to light.
And who knew being alone could feel so magical after so many years of always having my girls near me.
But maybe that’s it right there…
Maybe being alone is exactly what I needed in order to find more growth within… to strive to be a better mom and to think through things, really think, not the kind of thinking that gets done in-between loads of laundry and emptying the dishwasher.
And what I realized was this…
I am blessed to never feel alone, even when one set of footprints, my own, trails behind in the snow. There may be one set of footprints but this mama of four will always see her family of six walking alongside her, even when alone. The six sets of footprints trailing behind and next to me is a blessing today and all the days moving forward.
There is no doubt the love and support of my family encourages, inspires, and moves me along as the footprints behind keep me company.
So all of this alone time got me thinking.
My eldest will be making her trek along a new path when she embarks on her college journey in the fall.
She may have moments where she feels alone.
She may feel alone on the evenings her dorm room is quiet and miss our bustling home, filled with high pitched laughter, screams of frustration, and some tears.
She may feel alone as she walks across a campus busy with other students, and miss those quiet moments holding her sister’s hand.
She may feel alone when she grabs a quick granola bar on the way to class rather than sharing her to-do list with me, as she looks on while I make her an egg sandwich.
But maybe being alone is just what she needs…
Maybe being alone allows the quiet to seep in while recalling the billowing laughter that wrapped her up each day in love.
Maybe being alone allows a sense of solitude to embrace her soul while remembering a sense of peace from each hug.
But as this heart of mine gets used to being more alone amongst the world of raising teenagers, I can only wish for my sweet girl to also know, even on the days she feels alone, there are always six sets of footprints trailing behind, supporting every path she embarks on.
Our family footprints will forever trail behind each and every one of us, making imprints along our unique paths of life.
Ali Flynn Is excited to share with you the joys and hardships of motherhood with an open heart, laughter and some tears. Ali is a monthly guest contributor for Westchester County Mom and has been seen on Filter Free Parents, Grown and Flown, Today Parents and Her View From Home.
Your fave kids YouTuber is now on Roblox! Sunlight Entertainment and p.w Games have announced that that Ryan Kaji of Ryan’s World will now have his own immersive digital world in the famed game.
Gamers will be able to experience the first-ever digital world inspired and built by a YouTube creator. To celebrate the debut of his digital Ryan’s World experience, Ryan will be hosting a virtual meet and greet this Sat., Dec. 5 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET at roblox.com.
photo: Ryan’s World
During the launch party, Ryan and all of the Ryan’s World characters will be giving away digital items to players inside the experience. Gamers can get everything from free pets to a car specifically designed by Ryan.
Inside Ryan’s World, kids will also be able to play with Ryan, Combo, and the whole Ryan’s World crew, choose “skins”, take selfies and videos, play hide-and-seek and discover jobs. Existing Roblox users can access the new game as soon as it launches, but New Roblox users will need to create an account to access Ryan’s World.
I was in church a few weeks ago. It was the first time I’d been to mass since before COVID and it was a different experience, wearing masks and socially distancing, trying to come together as a church community when the very nature of this virus demands separation.
I started thinking about all COVID has taken from us, all the ways it’s demanded we stop doing the things that make us human. And, conversely, all the ways it’s encouraged us to be better, kinder, and stronger people. 2020 has been a crappy year (change my mind) and people across the globe are struggling. This Thursday is Thanksgiving. We are eight months into a pandemic whose curve we thought we could flatten in two weeks. I know I am not the only one struggling. It’s hard and while I could (and have) sit and focus on the variety of ways this virus has taken from us, I can’t do that anymore. This week, I want to push my brain to think about a few things I can be thankful for in the age of COVID:
Stronger Relationships with Family & Friends
Whether it’s my husband, kiddos, friends, or family, my network has both opened wider and gotten tighter. My husband and I had to push past the discomfort and sheer annoyance of everyone being home all the time and needing to work and raise children and, it wasn’t always perfect, but we got better at listening to each other and working together. I feel like we had a crash course in building a stronger marriage and I love where we are now. With friends, we did Zoom happy hours (like the rest of the country!) but we also just got better about checking in, offering support, and being there for each other—in spirit or real life. Knowing everyone was struggling in their own way and no one was getting it just right allowed people the room to offer help and support but also to ask. I think that as we moved apart, physically, we opened up some more room to connect emotionally and I will always be grateful for that.
Giving Grace
More than anything else this year, I heard, “we need to give each other grace.” I think the pre-COVID world of constant motion, overscheduling, and inability to slow down blocked the extra room we often needed to give grace and patience to those around us. We’re only human: working hard, continuously learning, and frequently making mistakes. To be given the time and space to take a step back and offer grace to an employee, an employer, a friend, an acquaintance, or someone who simply bugs you is a generous gift. It costs nothing but can demand a lot. Grace has been extended to me and I’ve gratefully accepted; it’s been something I’ve struggled with when I needed to extend it to others. Having been on both sides of that fence, it’s not something I’ll take for granted again.
Embracing the Outdoors
I am a huge fan of open windows. Every spring when it warms, and every fall when the heat finally breaks, you’ll find my house coated in pollen and dust, echoing with birdsong, and open to the air. This was the first year I’ve heard and seen the neighborhood kids outside as well. As things slowly opened back up, the embrace of outdoor drinks, gatherings, and picnics is incredible. We pack up blankets and snacks and go find parks or cool public properties. The kids run and bask in the heat of the sun or the shade of a quiet afternoon. My kids thrive in sunlight and fresh air. As the weather cools, we wear jackets and jump in leaves but warm our faces in the sun. Being outside feels cleaner and safer and freer; I don’t want to lose that when we return to “normal,” whatever that might look like.
COVID may have snatched our usual way of doing things and this year may go down as one of the most challenging and frustrating times of the modern era; I hope it will also be remembered as one of the most human. 2020 has been angry and defiant and messy and heartbreaking. It’s also been inspiring and kind and revolutionary and strengthening. I want to end this year on a positive note and say, I hope 2020 makes us better. Stronger. Infinitely more grateful.
I'm 38, not single, but I do enjoy long walks on the beach. I'm a mom to 3 little boys, ages 5 and under; married to a wonderful man for almost 6 years. I work at the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) and live with my family in SC.
ALDI knows what we like and we like succulents. On Sept. 30 your local ALDI will have a collection of Day of the Dead planters in different sizes and colors on sale. Grab them while they last because they are going to sell out quickly.
Bright sugar skulls are a festive symbol associated with Día de Muertos. These ceramic sugar skull planters come in two different sized featuring assorted succulents and air plants. Don’t worry about upkeep, place your plants in the sunlight and simply mist with a little bit of water.
You can find the Day of the Dead Succulents in three different colors — white, light blue and black. These planters retail for $8.49.
The Mini Day of the Dead Air Plants come in four colors — purple, orange, blue and black. These retail for $4.49.
With two different sizes to choose from, you are sure to find the right one (or two or three) for your space.
Kids & Family on The Roku Channel turns one and there’s A LOT to celebrate! As many of you already know, Kids & Family on The Roku Channel makes it easy for children and parents to access thousands of free and premium movies and television programs.
To celebrate, the channel has adding more than a dozen new popular children’s programs in August including The Adventurers, Axel Show, Axel Trucks, Dr. Poppy, Garfield, JustJordan33, Karina Garcia, Life with Brothers, The Sharksons, Scratch Garden,Toddler Fun Learning and Toys and Colors.
“When we launched Kids and Family on The Roku Channel one year ago, we knew there was an appetite for free family-friendly streaming content,” said Ashley Hovey, Director, AVOD Growth, Roku. “Now as more and more families are home together we are seeing an increased desire for high quality, and particularly free, ad-supported kids and family content. Looking ahead, we are incredibly excited by the opportunities for The Roku Channel to continue to grow, innovate and provide the kind of programming that will delight both kids and parents around the world.”
Roku recently added pocket.watch and Sunlight Entertainment’s newest linear channel, Ryan and Friends, which brings content from Ryan, star of Ryan’s World and Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and all of his friends. Ryan and Friends made its worldwide linear channel debut through Kids & Family on The Roku Channel in June.
“Since launching on Kids & Family, we have seen tremendous support and engagement as we quickly grew our audience and deepened the amount of time families spend with our content on The Roku Channel,” said David Williams, SVP & GM, Channels, pocket.watch. “Family viewing time has become even more important during these times and we know that Roku shares our belief that we have a responsibility to provide fantastic, quality, free programming for so many who are at home together. We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Roku by bringing our biggest creator partners, like Ryan from Ryan’s World, Toys and Colors, Kids Diana Show, Karina Garcia and more, into the heart of the home through Kids & Family on The Roku Channel.”
This past year Kids & Family has added more great content, expanded internationally to the U.K. and has become one of the top free children’s programming destinations on the Roku platform in the US and the U.K. To celebrate, when you head to the Kids & Family experience on The Roku Channel, you’ll see a fun birthday theme on the Kids & Family homepage with celebratory characters within character and age rows, specially curated collections featuring birthday party themes and more.
Is the sun out today? Then you’ve got the power you need to make an eco-friendly oven just for melting marshmallows and chocolate! Ooey-gooey and super easy, this s’mores science project is also a great, yummy introduction to the power of solar energy. Read on for this delicious science experiment your kids will love.
Method: 1. Cut a flip in the lid of the pizza box, leaving about an inch border around the edge. 2. Cover the lid with aluminum foil (with the shiny part facing you). Line the bottom of the box with foil as well.
3. Glue the black construction paper over the foil on the bottom.
4. Inside the lid, use clear tape to seal the page protectors or plastic wrap over the opening. This will create a barrier so that the hot air can’t escape, creating a “greenhouse” effect and heating your make-shift oven.
5. Take your oven outside, and set up your graham crackers. Place a piece of chocolate on one side and a marshmallow on the other. Don’t stack!
6. Angle the foil flap to reflect directly into the box. Then wait for the melting to begin!
7. Once the chocolate has melted and the marshmallows look soft, bring the two pieces together and eat!
How the make-shift oven works: The reflective aluminum foil captures sunlight and projects it onto the black construction paper, which retains the heat. As the heat collects, it warms up the air inside the box, creating a nice hot box (aka the “greenhouse effect”) in the sealed oven. Results? A sweet treat for your scientist!
Have you tried this project before? Let us know your results!
