#strollers on a budget

[babyandthetoddler]

The Best Baby Stroller Ultimate Guide

Picture this: you’re out for a relaxing afternoon stroll, the sun is shining, and your baby is peacefully napping in the stroller. It’s one of those moments every parent treasures. But behind this blissful scene lies an important decision—choosing the right baby stroller that perfectly fits your lifestyle and keeps your little one safe and comfortable. The process can feel overwhelming with so…

[mee-go]

Stylish Budget Baby Strollers: Smart Choices for Modern Parents

Finding the ideal baby stroller can be a intricate journey--particularly when you're aiming to stabilize elegance, usefulness, and affordability. Fortunately, stylish budget strollers are out there, and are easier to find as never before. Parents do not have to sacrifice style for practicality, or to break the budget to enjoy high-end and comfortable.

When looking for a low-cost stroller There are some important features to keep in your mind. In the first place, you should look for an easy-to-fold and compact style. These strollers are great for daily use, and are easy to store in tight places or trunks of cars. Then, look for a safe harnesses and seating that is flexible to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable. Don't neglect to test the maneuverability--smooth wheels and simple steering render outings much more enjoyable.

It's also about appearance. A stylish stroller will reflect your preferences and seamlessly blend into your style. Modern budget strollers are available with sleek styles and colors that are neutral or bold and top-quality designs that don't shout "budget." Parents today need products that look as chic as they are practical.

The functionality is equally important. Think about features like a reclining seat, plenty of capacity for storage and reliable brake system. These little extras can make a huge differences in your day-to-day routine.

One great venue to explore a wide selection of stylish budget baby strollers is https://www.mee-go.co.uk. Mee-go is a thoughtful selection of baby gear that blends the affordability of modernity with an elegant look. No matter if you're the first parent or are looking to upgrade your equipment the stroller models are designed to meet your requirements without compromising the style.

In conclusion, picking the right stroller shouldn't be difficult or costly. Focusing on safety, quality and an appearance you love, you'll be able to find a stroller that meets every criteria. Begin your search today at https://www.mee-go.co.uk and enjoy every stroll in style.

[qhsetools2022]

11 Best Strollers for Almost Every Budget and Need (2025)

WIRED TIRED Great to run with. Solid hand brake. Folds pretty small for a jogger. Still pretty big, especially compared to other strollers. Heavy, too. Joggers are big, but the Thule does a good job of not being too big—or at least not as big as the competition. The Thule Urban Glide 3, like its predecessor the Urban Glide 2, has a slim enough form to pass through the walkway dividers meant to…

[robbysreaders]

In love with your jack series can we have a hint of what might of happened to cause them to break up ?

This literally made me so sad i need to follow up with a fluffier moment tonight but it was fun to write, thank you for asking!!!!!

pairing: jack abbot x f!reader  word count: 800ish notes: prequel of ex!reader and babydaddy!jack also yes i did steal another scene from ER so SUE ME

It was never one big thing. It was the slow build — compounding fractures on both sides that never quite healed.

Jack wasn’t the one to suggest space. You were. He would’ve let it spiral into a blowout or let his guilt fester into something ugly. But you knew you both deserved better than that.

You’d been dating for six months when you realized you were late. He was on a tangent about work, barely coming up for air.

“These budget cuts are bullshit. We don’t have enough nurses upstairs, the boarders are piling up, and it makes everything ten times harder—”

“Jack,” you whisper, “How early can you get a pregnancy result from a blood test?”

“Seven days. Did I tell you what Robby said Gloria said?”

“Several times.”

He blinked. “Wait. Did you just say… pregnancy? You think you're pregnant? But—we’ve been really careful.”

“I know.”

“Did you miss your period?”

“Three days.”

“Okay. Okay. That could be stress. We’ll figure it out.”

It wasn’t stress.

A month later, you moved in.

One night, as you were getting ready for bed, Jack leaned in the doorway, “Will you marry me?”

You sat on the edge of the bed, towel-wrapped and exhausted. “No, Jack. We haven’t even known each other a year.”

“I’d marry you tomorrow,” he said softly. “Any day. I want to make this work. I love you. I love him.” His hand settled on your belly like a promise.

“I know you do. But I don’t need grand declarations. I need the little things.”

And Jack... Jack has never been good at the little things.

Sure, he never missed a doctor’s appointment. But he also ran to the hospital on his days off, stress trailing behind him like smoke. He brought work home and snapped, even when he didn’t mean to.

He was on rotation when your water broke. Of course, he wasn’t answering his phone. You called an Uber to get to the hospital alone.

He saw your texts and rushed to L&D just in time. Everything turned out okay. Except it didn’t feel okay. It felt like the beginning of an ending.

Jack was a devoted father. An incredible one, even. But he was a distracted partner. And you couldn’t blame him, not entirely. Postpartum knocked you sideways. You didn’t feel like yourself anymore. And the truth was, you both were just going through the motions — two tired adults playing house around a beautiful, babbling baby.

Beau was just over a year when it truly cracked.

You were walking through the park, leaves crunching underfoot, Beau kicking his legs in the stroller.

“Jack,” you said carefully, “are you happy?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I’m good. I’m good.”

“I think you should talk to someone. Therapy’s helped me more than I expected—”

“I said I’m good,” he cut in. “I’m just tired. The baby. Work. It’ll get better.”

You stopped walking. “Jack. I don’t think this will work if we keep going like this. I think I need a break. I’m going to take Beau to my parents’ for a week.”

He blinked. “I can’t really take time off that short notice—”

“I wasn’t inviting you,” you said.

--

Back at the house, you packed. Enough for you and Beau for a week. Jack held him while pacing the room, in and out like he couldn’t decide whether to stay or bolt.

Finally, you said, “Jack. Just say what you want to say.”

He stopped. Face flat, eyes hollow. Something at the edge of his lips — then he straightened.

“Yeah, um... just let me know what I can do to help.”

The next morning, you left.

Jack called off work for the first time in his career. Claimed he caught Beau’s flu. Robby knew better — especially when he showed up at Jack’s and saw your car gone, the house quiet, Jack hungover on the couch.

It didn’t take long for Robby to coax it out.

“This doesn’t have to be the end,” Robby said, flipping a beer cap off with ease. “She’s giving you space. That’s a gift. Don’t waste it.”

“She’s sick of the big declarations,” Jack mumbled. “Sick of me being all show and no change.”

“As she should be. You want her back, you rebuild the foundation. You follow her lead. Think about what she’s asked for. Start there.”

The next morning, Jack called.

He asked how you and Beau were doing. Asked if your parents hated him now.

“They could never hate you,” you said quietly. “I wouldn’t let them.”

“So, when you get back… maybe we talk? I need to have Beau in my life, and I’ll take whatever part of you I’m allowed. But you’re unhappy, and I can’t be the reason why. I’ll take your lead. If you want lawyers, I’ll pay for both of us to get them. Whatever you need.”

You were silent for a moment, heart cracking a little.

“Yeah, Jack. Let’s talk when I’m back.”

[queenimmadolla]

Could you write about the first time Penny or any of the babies reach for Eddie 🥺🥺 like the first time they really obviously want him or are excited to see him?

𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲. 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐢𝐭! :) 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭/𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐢 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞! 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞

Eddie was exhausted.

  Drained. Worn out. Expended. Zonked. Depleted, just plain tired.

  He was young, not even 23 years old, and today in particular, he felt like was in his late 60s. On a normal schedule, he was fine. Could roll with life and work, but his schedule was no longer a normal one. Not since you’d first found out you were pregnant.

  A baby, while precious, was an impending expense. 

  Eddie had started picking up more shifts at the garage, longer ones. Going in early, staying late.

  It was relatively amusing work, he was good at fixing cars up. Had started at the shop just changing oil and now he worked on the actual bodies, though he preferred engines more than anything; a common problem for most who brought their cars in, and an annoyance for his co-workers, so he always had plenty to do.

  The short time you and Eddie were allotted, pending Penny’s arrival, was spent squirreling money away. You’d have to go on maternity leave, and the desk job as a Lawyer’s receptionist you’d picked up after high school still paid you well on that leave, you’d just still be missing out on a portion of your normal salary since you’d only be getting about 60 to 70% of your check. 

  Regardless of the tighter than even normal budget (the two of you were also saving up to move to a bigger place, the trailer Wayne graciously let you play house in was still a one bedroom and eventually, Penny would need her own room or the two of you would have to move out to the livingroom), the first few months after Penny’s birth had been relatively smooth. She didn’t use up a whole lot of formula then, mostly breastfed or bottle fed with your supply unless the family was out and about, and there was no place for you to feed her (even then, you preferred going back to the van to nurse her solo—Eddie would get anxiety over that after an episode of a true crime documentary show) so she’d need formula.

  Now that you were back at work, standard Monday through Fridays, you couldn’t feed her like you used to, and she relied equally on your milk supply and formula so that was a hit to the budget.

  You and Eddie had worried a bit over childcare, whether you’d have to stay home or not to take care of her since daycares were so expensive. Luckily, Wayne’s girlfriend—another occupant of Forest Hills—had taken a liking to Penny. Her son had recently left the nest, gone off to college, and she craved the presence of a child, someone to need her. Uncle Wayne hadn’t been enough (nor had he been amused when Eddie jested as much), and she got on well with Penny, so she’d offered to watch her while the two of you worked like the absolute angel she was. 

  The Saint refused to take any payment and even thanked the two of you for trusting her with Penny, baffling Eddie since that meant Maude would have to take care of Penny and Wayne, who worked nights and was with her the rest of the time. Wayne, again, hadn’t appreciated the joke.

  Childcare aside, Penny was growing. And she was growing fast. Eddie had emotional and monetary whiplash with the speed of which she was outgrowing all of her clothes and going through diapers. And things like baby jumpers and playpens and strollers and car seats were expensive. The regular bills hadn’t stopped either, so while you’d gone back to work and the two of you could stay on top of everything together—Eddie didn't want to just be getting by anymore. It was fine when it had been the two of you, now he had a baby. A little human entirely dependent on him. 

  And you. She depended on you too, it’s just—maybe it was a machismo thing, Eddie didn’t fuck around with toxic masculinity, couldn’t give a shit, but he desperately wanted to provide for the two of you. Show you that you hadn’t made a mistake dating him, marrying him, having his Oopsie baby. And he didn’t want Penny growing up to worry about finances like he had.

  So, naturally, he put a shit ton of pressure on himself. He’d continued working as much as he had when you were on maternity leave—and he’d crashed. 

  You were there, though. Had talked to him, comforted him, held him through his breakdown. It was one hell of a conversation, and he’d still been stubborn about it despite the fact that he’d made himself sick from burn out, you got through to him. You were a family. Eddie wasn’t to shoulder any responsibility on his own. It was to be shared between the two of you. Your family would be just fine without Eddie working himself into an early grave. 

  You even did the math on paper (and you were bad at math so it amused him to watch you successfully prove your point after he’d had to help you with some fractions and decimals) to reassure him. 

  With his worries put to ease, you’d convinced him to take the day off. It wasn’t technically even a day off, he’d just been going in on his days off for overtime, so he was just staying home. He still could have taken Penny over to Maude’s—Eddie didn’t want to. No point when he could have his little ball of curls and rolls (which were starting to go away as she stretched out, breaking his heart) alllllllll to himself, even if she was being fussy. 

  Maybe Penny was picking up on the vibes he’d been putting out, absorbing his stress because she hadn’t gone down to bed last night without a fight. She’d woken up this morning upset, had been irritated the rest of it, and had given Eddie just as hard of a time putting her down for her afternoon nap, as she had last night.

  Yeah. Eddie was fucking wiped out. It was still better than being at work, he certainly got to relax more, even with his furious baby screaming, so he’d never complain.

  Then, Penny started screeching from her crib and Eddie let out a groan, hands dragging down his face. Sue him, he could complain a little.

  Oh, c’mon! She hadn’t even been asleep for half an hour! 

  And there was no building up to the screeching, it was like she popped those big eyes open and just decided to start wailing. 

  With a sigh, Eddie got up from the couch and rushed to the kitchen to prepare a bottle for her. She’d fought it before her nap when he offered it to her, so she had to be hungry now. With the bottle in hand, the perfect Penny-approved temperature (she was picky), he burst into his bedroom, and her sobbing intensified, mouth wide and face almost turning a different color even as he approached her.

  Her curls were curlier than normal and almost as wet as her face—she was a sleep sweater so they often matted down to her head when she snoozed. Eddie just knew she was gonna hate the sink bath he’d have to give her later if she was still in this mood by then. 

  Penny was sitting up—had recently learned to do that on her own—a constant stream of tears dribbling down both cheeks and she stared up at him, her little eyebrows furrowed in anguish. 

  “Alright, alright. I’ve got what you want, no need to hurt anyone, bitty one.” Eddie leaned down, offering the bottle to quelle her distress. She’d recently learned to hold her own bottles, too.

  Penny’s crying died down for just a few seconds, before her breathing picked back up, breaths stuttering and she let out another shriek as fat tears continued to leak out of her eyes at an even faster rate. She smacked the bottle right out of Eddie’s hand, he hadn’t been expecting it so his grip had been loose and craned her head even farther back to stare up at him, pleading, and Eddie had no idea what for.

  Was she still tired?

  Did she need to be changed? She certainly didn’t smell like it but maybe she had peed. 

  Eddie reached down into the crib to grab the bottle and her wails died down again before picking up the moment he’d pulled back and walked to his dresser to place it on. 

  “You’re gonna have to help me out here, baby, what do you want? Huh? What does my girl need?”

  Eddie was about to get her out of the crib when Penny did something she hadn’t done before. In between her sobs, with her big, beautiful eyes squinting through her tears, her little arms reached up towards him. The movement made her unstable and she wobbled on her bottom, arms still up, before she fell over onto her side and wailed harder. 

  Penny didn’t stay down for even a couple of seconds, pushing herself back up into sitting position and reaching up for Eddie again as she bawled and Eddie snapped out of his shock (every milestone she accomplished sent him into one) and reached down, hands grasping her soft sides and hoisting her up his chest. 

  Penny immediately smothered her face against his neck, Eddie could feel the wetness from her tears and drool smearing around the skin there and he rocked her gently, one hand supporting her bottom, and the other cradling her sweaty little head.

  She still cried but as he gently shushed her, Penny’s wailing lowered in volume, “Shhhh, it’s okay, baby. You just wanted daddy, huh? Just need some cuddles to make you feel better?” He pressed kiss after kiss to her head and, much to his relief, the wailing died down completely. Penny’s breathing was evening out, still a little rapid and hitching, but she was calming down.

  “Daddy’s here. Daddy’s got you.” Eddie walked away from the crib, back to the living room, picking up her bottle and her diaper bag on the way, “Daddy’s sorry he’s an idiot and didn’t realize you just wanted him. My little bitty pretty one was crying her eyes out and I have the audacity to try to feed you instead of cuddle you. Ugh. Feel free to bite me when you have teeth, sweet pea.” 

  By the time he was settling on the couch again, he was sure Penny was on the road to recovery, which made this next part worse. He winced as he slowly pulled her away from him. Penny immediately began to protest, breathing picking up as she started grunting while her arms reached for him and the moment Eddie placed her flat on the changing mat, she started wailing again, eyes squeezed shut and mouth open wide to let the world know her daddy had hurt her feelings, again, “I know, I know, daddy’s also so sorry he has to change your diaper so you don’t get a rash on your little toosh.”

  Eddie was quick with it, just as distressed as she was with their lack of contact. Once she had a clean diaper, her extra onesie (and he’d have to remember to put a new one from the dresser into the diaper bag) on, and the soiled diaper was wrapped up and set aside, he hastily picked her up, clutching her to his chest and she curled eagerly into him.

  He held her like that until she calmed again, then he got up to toss the dirty diaper and warm up her bottle again.

  With her—apparently—number one and urgent need satisfied, Eddie spread himself out on the couch with Penny in the crook of his arm, her chunky cheek pressed against his chest. This time when he offered her the bottle, she eagerly pulled it towards her and guzzled it down. 

  Eddie admired her while she drank her milk, his finger stroking over her cheeks to rid them of her tears as she stared up at him through long, wet eyelashes. Had he not been present for her fits, nor had he just wiped away the evidence of her suffering, Eddie wouldn’t have known she was upset at all. There was no resentment clouding those warm, brown eyes. No anger and Eddie’s chest tightened as he recalled just how forgiving babies were. So, innocent and just full of love.

  “You happy now, pretty one?” Eddie cooed, and at his tone, Penny smiled around the rubber nipple in her mouth, letting out her own coo in response. She didn’t stop suckling, but she removed one hand from her bottle to shakily reach up towards Eddie. Her movement was a little unstable, and Eddie watched with pure reverence until her tiny hand was against his jaw, soft palm gently smacking it.

  Then, not so gently smacking it.

  “Owwwuhh!” Eddie whined.

[mariacallous]

A few hours before Musk’s announcement, I spoke with one of his many thousands of victims. Until a few weeks ago, Mary Boyle was a commissioner at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the historically bipartisan agency that, for more than fifty years, has insured that America’s car seats and toaster ovens and baby strollers are safe. Boyle, one of three Democratic appointees on the commission, recounted how Musk’s men had effectively ended her office’s work in a matter of hours. First came the rumor, on the evening of Wednesday, May 7th: “DOGE is coming.” By 2 P.M. the next day, two young men had appeared at the agency’s offices, in Bethesda, Maryland. At 3:45 P.M., Boyle and the other commissioners received an e-mail from the commission’s acting Republican chairman, informing them that he planned to bring on the two DOGErs who, “at no expense to the Commission,” would help the agency “with the assessment and enhancement of internal processes and operational procedures.” The commissioners had until 6 P.M., he said, to let him know “whether I have your support.” It would be funny if it weren’t the kind of thing that should have remained inconceivable in a functioning democracy: Here are the guys who are going to put us out of business, and they come real cheap. Boyle sent her reply, a single-word e-mail: “No.” Not even an hour later, while pulled over at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, she received a response of sorts, from Trent Morse, the deputy head of the White House’s personnel office: “Mary, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position on the Consumer Product Safety Commission is terminated effectively immediately. Thank you for your service.”

It did not seem to matter that the Consumer Product Safety Commission had been set up by Congress, had its budget provided by Congress, and had its commissioners confirmed by Congress. The law itself governing the agency, first passed back in 1972, could not be more clear: there were only two reasons to fire a commissioner—“neglect of duty” or “malfeasance in office.” Boyle now finds herself as the lead plaintiff in a case she never expected to file: Boyle v. Trump. Although the attack on her agency was “brazen” and “baldly illegal,” Boyle told me that she knows it just might succeed. The day after she and her colleagues filed their lawsuit last week, the Supreme Court indicated that it might strike down the precedent dating back to the New Deal era that protects the commissioners of independent agencies from being fired by the President. In the meantime, you can forget about new rules to restrict potentially dangerous ion batteries in e-bikes and scooters that the Consumer Product Safety Commission was working on. Thanks, Elon.

Elon Musk Didn’t Blow Up Washington, but He Left Plenty of Damage Behind: The obits for the tech mogul’s time at the Department of Government Efficiency are, justifiably, vicious.

[storiesofsvu]

The Nanny w Benefits Ch 6

Rita Calhoun x Rafael Barba x future!reader warnings: language, gossip.

A week and a half later and the chicken pox fiasco had finally subsided. Thankfully, and after a brief check in with the doctor (both the paediatrician and Rita’s) they’d determined that the period of contagion was definitely over and it was fine for everyone to be around each other again. You’d kept a very close eye on everyone in the apartment, not totally trusting that Rita was healthy yet, she was still rather lethargic and had a lingering cough she couldn’t seem to beat. Isabella however was up and running with her normal energy returned only a few days after her fever and was happy to have her brother back in the apartment to play with. Out of caution, you’d kept them both inside until everything was fully in the clear and it was apparent no one else was going to catch any kind of cold or flu from the germs in the house. The entire thing had made everyone a little bit stir crazy, you hadn’t wanted to spend much time with friends during the debacle since most of yours were teachers, nannies, or other careers that spent a lot of time around young children. 

The cabin fever was finally broken when your group chat lit up with playground plans on Tuesday. Said group chat involved you, Lucy (Olivia’s nanny) and Julia (Amanda’s nanny), considering the kids all knew each other and the squad was family, it made sense that you spent play dates together instead of randoms or people that the parents weren’t fond of. The kids always got super excited for all of them, Amanda’s girls were roughly the same ages as Damian and Isabella, while Noah was a bit older, he still had a lot of fun with them and liked to play the big brother role, and it really was adorable.

You’d been running late, Damian had spotted the Starbucks logo on the way to the park and insisted on stopping for a drink (a habit you had no doubt came from his parents), so you got them both caffeine free beverages, and iced coffee for the adult crew. You finally rolled into the park, stopping the stroller by the bench Lucy and Julia were at, Damian un clipped himself and darted off before you could even say a word, and once you’d unbuckled Isabella she let out a very loud squeal and darted off after her brother.

“Was starting to think you weren’t coming.” Julia greeted with a tease and you laughed.

“You kidding me? I’ve been trapped in the house for nearly two weeks taking care of two fucking babies…” you dolled out the coffees to the other two as you sat yourself down on the park bench, eyes instantly searching out the kids, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“I thought Damian didn’t get sick?” Julia asked and you laughed again.

“He didn’t. Rita caught it, turns out that’s definitely where Is gets her neediness from.”

“How did she catch it?” Lucy gasped.

“Turns out she was never vaccinated.” You shrugged over a sip of coffee, “I made sure she got an appointment to catch up on everything she’d missed once she was better.”

“You know…sometimes I wonder who you’re actually supposed to be taking care of over there.” Julia laughed and you nearly snorted.

“I made that comment at my interview. They give me a weekly bonus to make sure they have meals prepped and to run errands for them on top of taking care of the kids.”

“As long as they’re paying you enough.” Lucy replied.

“Please…with Rita’s budget…I’m pretty sure I’m being over paid.”

“So she really is the one in charge over there, hey?” She replied and you laughed over another sip of coffee.

“It seems so. I won’t lie…there’s like, some weird vibes in this marriage. It’s not like anything I’ve ever worked with before and I am very confused about a lot of it.”

“What’d’you mean?” Julia asked before suddenly calling out to Jessie to play nice.

“It’s been nearly a year and like…I don’t think I’ve ever seen them actually kiss. Like there have been some brief cheek kisses, but nothing on the lips.”

“Is that that weird though?” Julia asked, “like, keep it professional in front of the nanny?”

“Normally I’d say so,” Lucy cut in, “but aren’t you on a live-in contract?”

“Yeah.” You nodded, turning to them, “like we spend a lot of time together. I’ve hung out with them individually and together and there is just this…like…vibe. They clearly care about each other, but I almost feel like there’s something else going on? I didn’t realize, but I’m pretty sure they have separate bedrooms…and when Rita had pox’s she asked me to put lotion on them instead of Rafael…”

“Maybe she just didn’t want to risk transferring it?” Julia offered.

“No...I think you’re onto something.” Lucy retorted, “I remember when they got married, Liv said it was completely out of the blue and very last minute. Like…no one knew they’d been dating, and that seems suspicious for two lawyers working opposite sides, doesn’t it?”

“Maybe they were fucking and Damian was a whoopsie?” Julia offered up and you shut down that thought.

“No. They used surrogates for both kids.”

“Do you think maybe they’re both gay and covering for each other?” Julia asked suddenly, pulling laughs from you and Lucy.

“No.” You sipped at the coffee, “I mean…maybe there’s something, but they have definitely fucked. Like, there’s that certain spark there that can’t be faked. And I’ve heard a couple of Harvard stories that would confirm that.” You laughed, “and why would they bother covering for each other this late in life? Rita’s parents aren’t in contact and Lucia’s fully in support of whatever Raf does. Which...” your head tilted in curiosity as you glanced towards Julia, “she...well…both of them…tease Raf about Sonny a lot. You said he’s around a lot, right?”

“Yeah.” She replied, “him and Amanda definitely have something going on. But I’ve also seen Rita leaving Amanda’s apartment at god awful early hours of the morning. Mainly on nights when the girls stayed with me…”

“The plot thickens…” You raised a brow, sipping at your drink.

“I’ve definitely seen both Rita and Raf at Liv’s.” Lucy commented, “I figured it was just a friendship thing, but now I’m rethinking it…”

“What is it like in that house?” Julia suddenly commented and you grimaced.

“I mean, it’s great, honestly, best family I’ve ever nannied for. But….in terms of this topic….things are very flirtatious….like…not to the uncomfortable point, but there certainly is something going on. And like…I’m not the one to fulfill the stereotype of the nanny fucking the Dad, but I’m not even sure I have to worry about that in the situation. Rita’s flirtation is definitely more aggressive, but Rafael’s is definitely still there. And I am just confused!” You laughed.

“Maybe they’re poly?” Lucy shrugged.

“I’ve been there over a year already and I’ve never seen anyone else in or out of the apartment.”

“You said Rita’s got a lot of cash, maybe they’ve got a separate apartment for that?”

“I dunno.” You chewed on the tip of your straw, “that doesn’t seem like the vibe. If they’re not at home with the kids, they’re at work. They both truly are only passionate about two things, and I don’t see how they’d have time or energy to like, be out in the city seeking out a third.”

“Well clearly they don’t have to.” Julia nudged at your arm with a smirk, “you’re already living in their house.”

“Oh fucking stop it!” You swatted at her arm heavily, “I am their nanny, and that is it!”

“Okay but there clearly is something weird going on here, we can agree on that, right?” Lucy laughed, shifting to toss her empty cup in the trash.

“I mean…probably.” You replied.

“Why don’t we meet up for drinks tonight?” Julia asked, “somewhere we can debunk all this without prying ears?” You laughed, rolling your eyes, but still nodded,

“Sounds perfect.”

“Good!” She smiled, “cause I’ve gotta get Jessie to a gymnastics class and I don’t want to miss this outcome!” With another laugh she was calling the girls and doing goodbyes before leaving the park.

You and Lucy decided that once the kids got bored of the park you’d move on, taking them to the zoo. The rest of the afternoon was spent there, pointing out the animals, buying them treats and genuinely having a good time. Noah was the perfect friend, guiding Damian through the exhibits while Isabella swapped between toddling through the rooms, or perched on yours or Lucy’s hip’s. The five of you stopped for a late lunch at their cafeteria, making sure everyone got their fill of animal shaped foods before you packed it all up and made your way back to the cars and home.

Overall, you were nearly more confused at the end of the day, but you knew that whatever happened, you loved this job, and you loved this family, and would always love being a part of it. 

The kids barrelled into the apartment (probably a little sugar high) as they darted towards the living room for t.v time, and you were a little surprised to hear Rita’s laugh echoing through the space. 

“I suppose they had fun today?” She asked with a grin as you dropped the bag by the door, stepping out of your shoes.

“I would hope they did. The park and the zoo, and all their friends? I think we hit all the buttons. Sorry…if they’re a little riled up, Lucy and I definitely let them indulge in a little too much sugar than normal, but I promise I can take care of bedtime tonight if they’re being fussy.”

“None sense.” Rita laughed, “they are still my kids after all.”

“You really aren’t like the other parents on the Upper East Side.”

“Oh we really, really aren’t.” She replied and you swore she was smirking as she moved through the kitchen, “it’s just boxed mac and cheese, I can handle it. Why don’t you go get changed? Rafael’s working late, I can start feeding the kids.”

“Okay.” You smiled, nearly feeling your cheeks heat before you darted down the hallway to change.

There was just something so incredibly compelling about Rita. The way that she knew exactly what she was doing. You were so used to the stereotype that the husband and the nanny had some weird affair, yet here you were in a backwards situation, yet also feeling like Raf had been a bit flirty. It was very safe to say that once the kids were asleep, you would definitely be meeting up with Lucy and Julia to at least attempt to figure out your thoughts on what was actually going on in this marriage.

[jerzwriter]

Tobias took his friend Casey to his hometown of Washington, DC, to show her how they did the holidays. She was impressed, but now it was time to show him how it was really done in her hometown of Philadelphia. As they spend time surrounded by Christmas magic, will they be able to keep their promise to be "just friends?"

Book: Open Heart Characters: Tobias Carrick & Casey MacTavish (F!MC) Rating: Teen Words: 1,700 A/N: This is an altered version of a fic I wrote in 2022... but as I'm finally filling in the gaps of my Tobias/Casey headcanon, I needed to make some changes. If you're following the HC, this story would take place after Part Two: With a Capitol T. Part three will be about the last leg of their trip, and the epilogue will follow. I originally posted these as one ridiculously long fic... crazy town. lol I'm also in the process of updating my Tobias/Casey masterlist to make this a little less confusing... for me, more than you! lol. Thanks to anyone who checks this out!

Series Masterlist | Tobias x Casey Masterlist Masterlist

The day after their DC adventure, they slept in a bit. Casey had assured Tobias that while there was plenty to see during the day, the real Christmas magic in Philly took place at night, so a little more sleep wasn't just doable—she encouraged it!

When they arrived, she immetiately treated him to her favorite bagels to start the day, then it was time for a daylight stroll through Christmas Village.  Tobias was duly impressed. The tiny shops had an old-world charm, right in the middle of a bustling city, but Casey told him...

“You haven’t seen anything yet! Just wait until tonight!"

Philadelphia’s City Hall was a grand structure that was breathtaking no matter the time of year, but like everything else, during the holidays, it was spectacular. Surrounded by a cornucopia of holiday treats, it couldn't help but bring out the child in them. Casey was eager to ice skate, but Tobias passed. Still, he was happy to watch her twirl. He had no problem joining her on the Ferris wheel, taking in the sights of the City from high above, before they headed to Macy’s for the Christmas Light Show. Not one to pass up a chance to shop, Tobias spent a little more time there than Casey had budgeted for, but the good thing? By the time they left, darkness had fallen upon the City of Brotherly Love, and Tobias stood in awe in the center of it. Casey was one hundred percent right. As beautiful as it had been during the day, nothing could compare to now. 

It felt like they had stepped into a Christmas movie, with the aroma of roasted chestnuts filling the air as carolers sang Christmas songs nearby. There were plenty of harried shoppers pushing through the crowds, but for every one of them, there seemed to be a dozen others who were casually strolling around, soaking in the wonders of the season. Laughing families with tired toddlers in strollers or sitting atop their father’s shoulders, coworkers giggling over mulled cider, and couples – couples of every age strolled by hand in hand, often stopping to take a picture in front of the iconic LOVE sculpture. Tobias closed his eyes and took in a long breath - it truly was Christmastime. This was a feeling he was certain was only a part of his past. Sure, he had enjoyed holiday parties, happy hours with friends, and the like, but this... this was different, and he wanted to commit every second to memory.

“Excuse me,” a young woman's voice interrupted Tobias from his reverie. “Would you mind taking our picture?" She asked, motioning to the gentleman by her side. "Selfies are great and all, but they only go so far.”

“'I'd be delighted,” he smiled, removing a gove to better grasp her phone. He took one picture, then another, and egged them on a bit before snapping the third. "Oh, come on, give her a little kiss! On the count of three! One, two...” Snap!

The couple thanked him profusely before walking away, and he found himself unsettled by the emotion welling up inside him... was that... envy? His mind began to wander, and he could almost picture walking through the city clutching Casey’s hand; she'd stop them in their tracks to reach up and kiss his cheek, walking arm in arm; an older couple would stop them to declare how they remind them of themselves when they were younger. It was a picture that was as enticing as it was terrifying, but he couldn't shake the image if he wanted to, and in reality, he didn't want to. But a tap on his shoulder from none other than the subject daydream brought him back to reality, and he only hoped she couldn't read his mind.

“Ready to head to City Hall again?” she asked, handing him a pretzel purchased from a street vendor. "You’ll see; it’s a different world once the sun goes down.”

“Lead the way, princess,” he smiled, fighting the visceral urge to take her hand. “Lead the way.”

~~~~~

“OK,” he admitted as the imposing historic building awash in colorful lights came into their view, “and it is not easy for me to do... but you win. Christmas in Philly is pretty amazing.”

“Yey!!” she squealed, jumping up and down like a child who had just won a treasured prize. She had Tobias mesmerized, and her eyes landed on him; he was smiling. Not any smile, but that smile that made his dimples stand out, where his eyes crinkled, and then she'd just melt. She quickly looked away. She had to. She may have been loathe to admit it, but she was well aware of the effect that smile had on her, and no. There was no way she was going there.  “And you haven’t even seen the tree lit up at night yet,” she said, attempting self-distraction. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!”

“Wait, you’re not gonna gloat?”

“No,” she smiled. “I’m just so happy to see you experiencing this all for the first time... to share it with you. I wanted you to feel the magic, too.”

“Oh, trust me, Casey, I feel it. This is something I'll never forget."

They arrived at the Town Hall tree, and once again, Tobias was forced to surrender. “Wow! OK. I’m giving up completely... your tree wins.”

“Ha!” she yelled, nudging his shoulder with hers. “I told you so!”

“Hey, what happened to no gloating!”

She looked up at him with a devilish glint. “Can you just give me this, Carrick?"

He hoped his eyes would not betray him. I would give you anything, he thought but settled with saying, "Sure. You can have this."

“Thank you! I mean, it is the greatest Christmas tree in the world, so..."

“Yeah, no,” a booming voice shouted out from behind, bursting the little bubble they had created

Casey turned around with a cocked brow and hand on her hip. Her Philly attitude is on full display. “Excuse me?” she challenged.

“I mean, this is nice and all, but if you want to see the best in the world, ya gonna have to head to New York."

Crossing her arms in defiance, she glared at the entirely too-tall stranger. "I don’t believe you.”

“Have you ever seen it?”

“Uhm, no... not in person.”

“Then you can’t judge, can you?" The man smirked. "I’m a New Yorker. TRUST me on this.”  

“Well, if it’s so great... what are you doing here?”

“Ehh… my wife is from Philly,” he shrugged. “I have to indulge her every now and again.”

“Well, how kind of you,” Casey replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Hey,” the man chuckled jovially, “Happy wife, happy life.  And, while New York may have the best Christmas tree, I will concede Philly has the best women!” He slapped Tobias on the shoulder with such force he had to stop himself from stumbling forward. “Isn’t that right, buddy?”

Casey and Tobias turned to each other, deer caught in the headlights. Casey’s wit seemed to drain from her, along with the color on her face, as Tobias turned back to the man, trying to recover.

“While I don’t disagree with you, she’s not my wife... not even my girlfriend... we’re just friends.”

Casey didn't understand the way her throat clenched or why her eyes filled with water at his words, but the man took a long look at her, then Tobias, and smiled. "“Well, I’d get to work on that if I were you, pal. Capiche? Happy Holidays, you two.”

Casey’s cheeks were redder than the bows adorning the massive tree, and it had nothing to do with the cold. Unable to look at Tobias, she peered down at her Uggs as if they had an answer. Wiggling her toes in the soft fleece, she struggled for something to say. But as she looked away, Tobias's eyes never left her. He could have been honest about his feelings, or he could have uttered any of the dozen bad jokes he had at the ready to defuse the situation, but he couldn't do either. Honesty wasn't an option, but neither was lying about his true feelings. There was a wall of fire burning between them, but neither would risk getting burned.

“I have an idea,” he said, attempting to put them both at ease.

“What’s that?” Casey asked gratefully.

“Let’s put this ‘greatest Christmas tree of all’ thing to rest once and for all.  What do you say we swing by New York on the way home tomorrow.”

“Seriously?”

“I don’t joke about things like this.”

Casey bit her lip as she smiled. “I’d love to!”

“So we have a plan for tomorrow! But what do you want for the rest of the night?”

“Let’s take a ride down 13th Street. You have to see those lights! They don't call it the Miracle on 13th Street for nothing! Then... cookies and a movie at the hotel? If we’re adding New York to the itinerary, we should probably rest up.”

“If medicine doesn’t work out for you, you have a career as a cruise director, kid,” he grinned. “Let’s go.”

An hour later, they sat on the couch in their hotel room, a bowl of popcorn and a plateful of cookies within reach as they watched “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Exhausted, Casey had to lie down, placing her feet on Tobias’s lap. Unsure how to react, he rested his hand atop her ankle and exhaled when she didn't balk.

Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. That's right, that's right!

The movie concluded and delivered a lump the size of coal in TObias's throat. “You know, I am man enough to admit... that damn line gets me every time.”

But Casey didn’t answer; she had fallen fast asleep.  With a tender smile, Tobias slipped off the couch to retrieve a blanket. There was no sense waking her. After tucking it around her, he leaned over to place the most delicate kiss atop her head.

“Sweet dreams, princess,” he whispered before heading to bed. "Sweet dreams."

~~~~~

Casey was absolutely giddy when she hopped into Tobias’s car the next morning.

“I can’t believe we’re going to New York, too! This has been the greatest trip,” she enthused. “It really feels like Christmas, doesn’t it, T?”

“It sure does,” he softly smiled.

“How long is the drive?” She asked

“Once we’re on the NJ Turnpike, we’re looking about two hours.”

“Great!” she beamed. “That gives us plenty of time for holiday music!”

They made it ten minutes before Mariah Carey belted out of the surround sound in Tobias's car. (Can one really go longer than that without hearing Mariah during this season?) Casey amped up the volume, and then it happened! Her voice may have been off-key; her “seat dancing” technique was nothing anyone would ever wish to emulate, but she grabbed her empty coffee cup as an improvised microphone and gave one hell of a performance for her imaginary crowd. Meanwhile, her live audience of one was grinning from ear to ear.

“I don’t want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need Don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree I don’t need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace Santa Claus won’t make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is yoooooooooouuuuuuuuuuu.”

“You’re gonna give Mariah a run for her money,” Tobias chuckled. 

“Really,” Casey winced. “I’m pretty sure she’d tell me to keep my day job…. Well, once I’m back at my day job."

“Hey! You’re getting closer every day,” he reassured. “You’ll be back to Ethan driving you bonkers in no time.”

“Hmm. When you put it that way it sounds odd to say I hope so, but I do hope so. Still, until then, I have a gig in this car and I take my obligations very seriously!"

She looked up at him with an endearing smile. "Don't worry! I promise to buy you a huge bottle of Advil as soon as we hit the City!”

“No need,” he laughed, pointing to his glove compartment. “There are some in there, but I don’t need them.”

“Good,” Casey smiled. “Next up, Santa Claus is Coming to Town!”

She began singing the song, a la Bruce Springsteen, but she had no idea how much Tobias agreed. Seeing Casey this happy? Santa was not coming to town, he had already arrived and delivered the greatest gift he had ever received.

Final stop coming up: New York! 🍎

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging Tobias Stans only - @alj4890 @kyra75 @coffeeheartaddict2 @brycesgirl @icecoffee90 @storyofmychoices

[justtiffany81]

Baby Items - Tiff’s Top 3 Must Haves

As a mom of five kids I’ve learned overtime what’s worth having and what’s a waste of money when it comes to baby items.

When I had my oldest, she is 26 now, baby items were pretty basic. You had cribs, diaper bags, bottles, high chairs, strollers and car seats. I could write a longer list of items but I won’t, just know the basics were there.

In today’s world baby items have exploded into many new products designed with mom and baby in mind. Changes from old designs to new have been made to add comfort, durability, and sometimes an extra hand. However, are all those items truly necessary?

Here’s my opinion on what’s useful and what’s just a waste of money. Remember what I may find does or doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone. If you find value in a product that helped you I think that’s great and I would never discourage it.

Must have #1 - Stroller Combo

This is definitely something I would highly recommend. Super handy and its ease of use makes this item a dream come true for moms. When my two youngest were born this item was my favorite to use. Stick baby in it and I could wheel them around anywhere in the house I went. Cleaning was a breeze while they were infants, shopping was so much easier, family trips with baby were and are a breeze. No more awkward and heavy car seats to carry. This item is a 10/10 must have for your baby.

Must Have #2 - 3 in 1 Playard

I bought one of these for my daughter and I am not sorry. My favorite feature is the built in changing table and pockets for diapers and wipes.

The particular model I bought has a napper canopy. She doesn’t use it much but I appreciate having it. I am storing extra items I’m not using right now for my kiddo under the canopy. It also comes with a little bassinet but baby girl is too tall so I don’t use it. The best part is that it’s a total space saver.

My experience with this must have is that it is very functional for my situation. Another 10/10 I highly recommend.

Must have #3 - Baby Book

Parenting is certainly about loving your child and building relationships with them. What better way to record it than a baby book?

I purchased the one featured below, Amazon has a great selection of baby books for all types of budgets.

Not only are they great for capturing memories, they serve as a perfect place for storing important documents for baby in their first year of life.

Now I did say at the beginning of this article I would list items that were a waste of money. Here are my top three items that I don’t recommend:

Floor seat - I had never purchased one of these with any of my other children so when my youngest was born I thought “why not give it a try “? I was utterly disappointed and found she was only able to use it twice because her little legs got too chubby. I was worried about hurting her trying to pull her out of it. I wound up selling to a local mom.

Baby swing - I did have baby swings for all my kids but find that once they become mobile it is no longer useful. It becomes a hassle to store if you have minimal space and it has a short usage period.

Too many of the same size in baby clothes. With all my kids I always had a crazy amount of clothes in one size (newborn- 3 months) and hardly anything else. Babies grow so fast you may never get a chance to try on a majority of your newborn outfits. I recommend having 6-8 pairs of clothes in each size for baby and always keep a size up on hand!

That concludes my top baby items here’s a link to Amazons February Baby Sale Items!

[penig]

A question of power, Pt 2

Part of the problem with assessing Aziraphale's power levels is that, not only do we not get a direct statement about them, we hardly ever see him do anything angelic-powered in canon. The flashiest things he does in Series 1 are to burn up Crowley's parking citation (which can't have been hard) and to fly Madame Tracy's scooter to Tadfield (apparently soaring blithely over the inferno of the M25; unless someone has identified Shadwell and Tracy's neighborhood as being outside the loop). He heals Anathema, and her bike, and puts a bike rack with tartan straps on the Bentley, which is arguably the least he can do given that it's his and Crowley's fault that she and the bike are injured. However, Crowley grumps at him about it, and Aziraphale appears chastened and excuses himself with: "I got carried away." When Crowley flakes out over the explosion of the Bentley Aziraphale, under protest, makes the gate SP* disappear with a minimum of fuss about the actual act, and then frets over where he might have sent him. (In the book, which has more time to be reassuring, he goes home to the family farm.)

(*Security Policeman, because it's an airbase. On an American Army posts, gates are guarded by MPs, Military Policemen.)

Am I missing anything? Because for the most part, when miracles are to be done, Aziraphale looks at Crowley, expecting him to do "the dirty work." In the French prison he refers to being reprimanded over "frivolous miracles," which is the source of my own headcanon that angels on earth have miracle budgets and Aziraphale's, at least, is stingy. This reading is supported, in Season 2, by the archangels in Heaven being alerted to a supermiracle of "25 Lazarii" boiling off of southern England. At the very least, miraculous power is monitored for angels.

We have no indication that this is so for demons, and Crowley doesn't let knowing that miracles are monitored prevent him from complaining about Aziraphale performing sleight-of-hand when he can "do proper magic," including "making people disappear." Though that particular line is presumably setup for the fate of the SP in Tadfield, it is also reasonable to extrapolate that Crowley specifies that ability because it is something he himself cannot do, or which is easier for Aziraphale to do than it is for him. Lines can do double duty when needed.

The original Series 1 script had two points at which Aziraphale performed miracles which were ultimately cut. In one, he's talking on the phone, spots a baby stroller rolling into traffic, gestures without missing a beat of his telephone conversation, and the stroller changes direction.

In the scene "Aziraphale Meets the Neighbors", his work interpreting Agnes Nutter's books is interrupted by mob types come to initiate a buyout. At first it looks like a rescue situation, per the stage directions: Aziraphale seems slightly out of his depth here. The Boss and two thugs are hard men, well-dressed, dangerous. It's like a lamb meeting three wolves. In a book shop. The thugs even manhandle the books! But when the Boss comes to the point and declares himself ready to make a "generous offer," Aziraphale counters with his own generous offer:  you and your friends tidy up the mess you've made, leave my shop, never come back, and we will say no more about it. The Boss is confused, but the thugs immediately start doing as they are bid and even turn their intimidation on the Boss, leaving the shop talking about wanting to be a florist and feeling like nicer people already. The Boss merely complains of his head hurting. This scene is an expansion on a couple of paragraphs in the book, in which we learn that Aziraphale frequently has to deal with mobsters demanding that he sell or pay them protection money. And Aziraphale would nod and smile and say that he'd think about it. And then they'd go away. And they'd never come back.

Just because you're an angel doesn't mean you have to be a fool.

My takeaway from all this has been that Aziraphale is reluctant to perform miracles at all, and that when he does, he a)does his best to make them inconspicuous and b)is prone to getting "carried away." This opens up an entire separate, but related, issue concerning how they choose to present themselves to the world and each other, and how their relationship has been negotiated through all those years, which I'll probably go on about elsewhere but which would distract from the central question of power levels if dealt with in detail here. Suffice it to say that, on the evidence of the first series and the book, there is every reason to assume them to have similar power levels that they choose to use differently. Aziraphale can probably shapeshift and travel the telephone lines; he just hasn't done it within our line of sight. Whether he could learn to stop time is an interesting question on which we can only speculate.

The second series is harder to parse, especially in the minisodes. The fact that the minisodes were separately written and directed makes this inevitable for Doylist reasons. At the Watsonian level, I believe this can safely be attributed to the separate issue of presentation. Aziraphale's supernatural powers are even less flashy than in Series 1. He barely seems to use them at all. His most obvious solo miracles prior to the Ball involve technology, and his approach there is both interesting and enlightening. We can take his negotiations with the Bentley over music, color, speed, and sound effects at face value as an interaction with a fellow supernatural entity if we assign a level of sentience to the car; but he approaches the borrowed telephone (and for that matter, those he borrows the telephone from; like the thugs and the Boss, they are coded as threats, but soften right up when he exerts his personality on them) in the same manner, asking it politely to perform its function, even though he doesn't even attempt to go through the steps necessary or even give it the information it should need. He doesn't even give it a number to call, just "my bookshop." And the telephone comes through, getting mended and upgraded as a reward (and quite possibly despite not being able to take any more upgrades; planned obsolescence is not something Aziraphale's going to cooperate with). I would love to know how the phone's owner's subsequent, blessed interactions with Twitter and Grindr are going, since Aziraphale didn't even know what they were. I suspect the algorithms run differently on that phone. It's an impressive miracle, but it keeps its head down.

The exception to this low-key trend is of course the miracle he casts in tandem with Crowley (and also while touching Jim; the question of whether in the process of protecting him they tapped into his natural angelic power is one I have not seen examined and which I am not prepared to go into myself at this time, but I feel it should at least be mentioned). When specifically asked about this miracle, Aziraphale reaches for a plausible lie and comes up with the "tried to make Nina fall in love with Maggie" dodge. And Heaven allows this as a possibility. The implication here is that even the power of Heaven can't just change a heart with a fingersnap. Human affections are hard to tamper with!

Both this and the "Aziraphale gets carried away" implications are reinforced at the Whyckber Street Ball. Aziraphale doesn't force anyone to show up, but puts himself to considerable trouble, running all over the neighborhood influencing, tempting, persuading, and bribing, even committing himself to parting with a book. Once the ball starts, he gets carried away and controls people to a funny but disturbing extent: Mrs Sandwich can't speak the name of her ancient profession and everybody buys into the roleplay and does a dance in a style few of them are likely to have attempted before (I have; English country dance and square dance are similar in that they don't require fancy footwork but you really have to know the patterns and pay attention). But Nina still doesn't fall in love.

The fact that in "Aziraphale meets the neighbors" The Boss leaves with a headache and the thugs leave discussing their other ambitions and leaning into "feeling nicer" also demonstrates that humans can't be mucked about directly in this way. Aziraphale can take them by the hand and lead them up to the brink as highhandedly as he likes, and exert as much power as he's able, but they have to make the last step on their own.

Which is Free Will and the point of the whole exercise, theoretically.

Heaven and Hell are hedged about with prohibitions and limitations - especially Heaven, but Hell isn't allowed to harm humans directly (collateral damage is fine, which is how Hastur ate all those phone solicitors) and physically can't enter a Heavenly embassy like Aziraphale's bookshop without an invitation. Aziraphale's power usage was strictly monitored and limited by rules and divine ordinance while he operated as an angel - he was absolutely forbidden to interfere with what Hell chose to do to Job and his family, and he's not allowed to save Wee Morag in the Resurrectionist minisode - and he chafes under those restrictions, pushing them right up to the edge trying to persuade Crowley not to do his worst just because he's allowed to. But he's also limited by the hold they have upon his conscience, taking so long to work up to helping Wee Morag that he loses his chance.

But once he's free of Heaven, does he go hog wild, let himself get carried away all over the place, healing and influencing every chance he gets?

Nope. He's still very restrained about throwing his power around. If Heaven doesn't impose rules, he will. Is this because he's afraid of getting carried away? Or is he afraid of his own power? Or is something else going on?

The very largest miracle he undertakes, blowing up his halo, is put off as long as he can possibly put it off. The way he holds himself back and leaves the defense of the bookshop largely to Maggie and Nina is frustrating to the viewer, but at least he makes it clear that this is a choice he's making. The reason for that choice is more properly dissected along with the issue of how he and Crowley present to the world, which I am not doing here, but it amounts to, once again, wanting Crowley to do it, though this time we get the intriguing rationale that it's because "he enjoys rescuing me so much." When the backs are against the wall, though, off comes the halo, and though he says apologetically that he's not supposed to do it outside of a state of war, he breaks that rule quickly, competently, and cleanly.

And then seems embarrassed about it.

The inescapable conclusion seems to be, that if power levels seem uneven between Crowley and Aziraphale, in favor of Crowley, it's because Aziraphale chooses that this should be so.

Which is going to have to be a third post.

[late-to-the-magnus-archives]

NEVER TELL, Chapter Two - a Malevolent AU fic

Arthur discovers he wasn't wrong about his son being weird with golden eyes.

And discovers there may be a cost to caring for him.

What is the price for helping the helpless? It's not a fun thought for a self-centered man to consume.

Listen, we are getting dark. Some body horror. Also horrible non-consensual things, though not too explicit. Dark. Please heed the warnings.

AO3

---------

They sent Arthur home with two babies, a recipe for breast-milk substitute involving malt sugar and cow’s milk, and instructions for diapers that went right over his head (but fortunately someone thought to write up for him). The basket-weave baby stroller was an older model, what they could afford, and supposed to be big enough for two babies. Arthur thought it was already too small.

The whole way home, Faroe cried. She cried as if she missed her mother, as if she knew this fake family was not complete. John never made a peep, but watched Arthur, more steadily than he felt a newborn should watch, but then, what did he know? This was the closest contact he’d ever had with children of any kind.

Faroe just kept crying .

“I know, I’m sorry,” he said to her. “I don’t know what you want me to do.”

John huffed.

What an odd sound to come from an infant. A frustrated sound.

“Fuck, I never even had a puppy,” Arthur muttered to no one, and did what he could to soothe her as he walked.

What he could involved making faces (which did not work), holding her (which did, but made handling the carriage too hard), and finally, singing to her.

That worked right away. Maybe Bella had been right, and they’d heard him singing in the womb. They both stared in his direction when he did that; as long as he kept singing, they stayed quiet, so Arthur sang them home.

He stopped in front of his door to search himself for his keys. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

John huffed as if to say, no shit.

“Get used to me apologizing,” Arthur said. Finally, key located, he got their creaky, paint-peeling door open, and wheeled his babies inside.

His babies . He’d thought nine months seemed like such a long time when this plan started; now it didn’t seem nearly enough to prepare for a thing like this. 

He stared at their single-family space. It had already seemed too small with just him and Bella rattling around in it. They were really good friends, and slightly less good roommates, but it would work. It would be fine. It had to.

Arthur looked at the sheet of instructions in his hand again and tried to calculate costs. They already paid $35 for their space in this triple-decker, including utilities, which was a steal. It even had its own bathroom, which was a new and neat thing. It cost about the same amount a month to feed just the two of them. Bella was brilliant and kept their clothes in good shape, so they didn’t have to buy more, but fabric was still a cost; and now this.

Now them. Now all of it. And they’d calculated, they’d budgeted, they’d figured it out, but… Bella obviously was fired once she started showing. The money she brought in now was through sewing, through word-of-mouth, and it was good, but not reliable. There wasn’t any way to predict how much work she’d get in a month.

Arthur’s job was no better. At least sugar was affordable these days. They were very lucky prices had dropped.

Maybe he should give up this music thing. Maybe it was time to stop dreaming and humming and get a real job, something with a steady paycheck. He made one, small sound of pain. To even consider that was…

He couldn’t do it. “I’m selfish, kids,” he said to them, wheeling them through the living room area (which was also the kitchen, which was just damned embarrassing). They had a Murphy bed. The pantry was bigger than the kitchen. The bathroom was just big enough for a tub and toilet. How was this going to work?

Faroe had worn herself out, and was sniffling now in a resigned sort of way.

“I’m sorry,” Arthur said, scooping her up. “I don’t know how to do this. But I guess you don’t know, either, huh? First time being a kid, right?”

Faroe stopped fussing. So that really was it: she wanted to be held.

His heart did a funny little jolt. He thought it might be a happy jolt. 

These two were dependent on him. That settled in a weird way. A good way. He put Faroe down and picked up John.

John, who just… watched his face.

They were dependent on him. He’d spent his whole life staying away from that kind of responsibility (from what, he’d decided in his early teens, had driven his parents to suicide), but here he was.

It wasn’t their fault, these kids. It wasn’t their fault they’d been born to a selfish man. “I’m gonna do my best for you,” he promised John, and kissed his forehead.

John wriggled.

Arthur put him down. “Heh. Wish I had more arms. I’d hold you both.”

John wriggled as best he could in his swaddling. 

“Okay.” Arthur looked at the paper. “You’ve been fed. Your diapers are fresh. They showed me you were burped, so… I guess… what do we do now? Wait?”

Faroe was fussing again. He picked her up, and she stopped. “I need to write, though,” he told her, bouncing her a little and supporting her head as he’d seen the nurse do. “I can’t do that if I’m holding you.”

John made a sound. Was it fussing? It wasn’t crying. It was a little ha of demand, somehow.

“All right, all right, you get a turn,” said Arthur, feeling a little more capable as he put Faroe down and scooped John up.

John seemed content with this.

“What am I going to do with you two?” said Arthur softly, maybe just a little fondly.

Someone knocked on the door, and he almost jumped out of his skin. “Who in hell…”

Faroe cried. Arthur put John next to her and answered the door.

“You forgot to pick up your milk today,” said Daniel with great disapproval, and held out the sealed jug.

For the first time all day, Arthur genuinely hoped the smell of what he’d drunk had faded. “Daniel! You came!” That two-cent phone call had been worth it.

“I was late,” said Daniel, who, for all his many flaws, at least never denied he had them. “May I come in?”

“Yes, of course,” said Arthur, reminding himself that Daniel had seen the place before, and had never drawn a parallel between it and his own fancy brownstone in New York, and had never directly done anything to make Arthur feel like he was failing as a man, o r that Arthur himself had done anything wrong.

Which he hadn’t. (Except according to society, sociology, the church—)

“Thank you.” Daniel wafted in, smelling of expensive tobacco, and paused taking off his coat. “She didn’t come home with you?”

“She… she’s in the hospital,” said Arthur. “She bled badly. Almost didn’t make it. She can’t come home yet.”

It was always strange to see real emotion cross that vaguely angry face. Arthur had decided three months ago that Daniel maybe wasn’t actually angry; that like a hound dog, his face just did that . Whether that was true or not, the concern there was deeply real. “St. Mary’s?”

“Yes.” The coat went back on; it hadn’t even made it past one freed arm. “Don’t you want to meet them?” said Arthur.

On cue, Faroe squealed. It was the sweetest sound Arthur had ever heard; so happy, so… free.

“Yes, of course, I… of course.” Daniel hurried over. “Oh…”

Arthur came at a slower pace.

Faroe was… well, she was being winning . Wriggling, smiling, one mittened hand against her dimpled cheek,  squealing again as if to say hello.

John was just looking at Daniel.

At least, Arthur told himself, John’s blue eyes matched Faroe’s. What the hell had that gold thing even been?

Daniel’s voice was tight. “They’re beautiful.”

“Do you want to hold them? The diapers are clean, and all.”

“I will go see my daughter first,” said Daniel with dire condemnation (or, Arthur hoped, he just sounded like that). “I’ll return here after.”

Visions of the two of them sharing the Murphy bed briefly made Arthur insane. “What? Here? Now?” He reddened in response to Daniel’s (possibly) chiding look. “I mean, it’s a long trip back to New York, and…”

“I’ve taken a hotel.” Daniel’s tone was wry. “Do you feel particularly prepared to handle two infants alone?”

“No, not particularly,” Arthur said, rubbing the back of his head.

“I’ll be back later. Bella has not been an infant for a long time, but I remember some things.”

“Sure. Thanks.” Arthur knew he was being ungracious. “And thanks for picking up the milk. I forgot.”

“On a day like this, I wonder why?” said Daniel, and headed out. “I’ll see you soon.”

Arthur sighed and flopped into one of their two chairs.

Unable to see him, Faroe began to cry. 

Arthur stood and picked her up, then sat again, and pulled the carriage closer so he could rest a hand on John. “I don’t know how to do this,” he told them again. “But that’s not your fault, is it? None of it is. You didn’t ask to be born. We did that. I’m going to do my best for you. I promise.”

John’s head was turned to him. His little face was so grim, but then he did an amazing thing: he reached, and wrapped one tiny hand around Arthur’s index finger.

Arthur stared, mouth open.

Faroe finally fell asleep in his arm, but Arthur didn’t move to put her back. “Guess that’s a deal, huh?” he murmured to John, moving his finger just a little as if shaking hands. “You’ll be the best babies you can be, and I’ll be the best dad I can be.”

John said, “Ah.”

Arthur smiled weakly. “We’ll get through this. It’ll be worth it. I swear to God, it will.”

John huffed again as if to find that oath dubious.

“All right, fine. I swear on my piano.”

That appeared to be acceptable to the four-hour-old child, who huffed, wriggled, and settled down.

Arthur was so godsdamned tired. Maybe it was all right to just sit for a minute. Maybe things would be okay.

#

The dream was a weird one.

Arthur played in his favorite speakeasy. The men here were always ready for a good time, and usually closer to his age than some underground places. The air was blue from smoke and bad ventilation; the low hum of conversation caressed his skin with promise, with anticipation for stress relief, and he couldn’t wait to finish his set and mingle a little (or a lot) before going home.

But something was off. Arthur couldn’t see anyone off-stage. It wasn’t like he could normally make out faces while he played, but there were always shapes—man-shapes, tables, candles on those tables. Servers moving around. 

Tonight, there was only one shape. A single table, with a single male form, sitting there and watching him play.

Well, dream-logic said that guy mattered, then, so Arthur played to him.

Played with slow, crooning passion, played sensual jazz and smoky sounds. The beat he’d picked, the pulse, was fully intentional, a biological rhythm, referencing the easy and steady movement of bodies joining as one.

He played sex, and he hummed it, too, and he aimed it all at that lone table.

There was applause when his set finished. (There always was.) He grinned crookedly at the hands he could not see, and finally descended from the stage. There were people out there, logically; he knew there had to be—but he couldn’t see them, couldn’t feel them. Could only hear them, laughing and conversating beyond his view.

He reached that lone table.

The guy who sat there was white, attractive in a symmetrical way. Brown hair, medium-length, just long enough to look deliciously mussed. Skin that saw enough sun to avoid being pasty. The black suit was mid-range, not crazy expensive, but not daily worker poor, either. 

Arthur couldn’t figure him out. If he was a cop. If he was here for the purpose of this place. If he was safe.

“Aw, I’m not that scary, am I?” said the guy, and grinned. “Sit. Down.”

Arthur sat without meaning to do it at all.

He went stiff. What had just happened?

“You know, you’re not who I thought he’d pick?” said the guy, leaning in, and Arthur blinked, and  Arthur shook his head, because for one fucking second it looked like this guy was covered in blood, but he was not, he was not—“I thought he’d pick the dame, but he picked you. This might’a not been his smartest move, you know? But I guess having a baby brain will do that to a guy. Phenomenal cosmic powers… iiiitty bitty living space!” And the guy cracked up.

This… was it a dream? Arthur was no longer sure. “I… I think I’ve got to go.”

“Aww, and after you tried to seduce me and everything?” The guy clamped down on Arthur’s arm, and it felt like a vice, it felt like a metal cuff, it felt bad. “No, no, no. Not until we’re done. Cute, by the way. That was good stuff. Very catchy.”

“Catchy?” said Arthur, trying to wake up, trying to pull away, trying, again, to wake up .

“Catchy! An ear worm. It sticks in your head, drives itself in. Though I gotta say, Artie, as someone who’s had firsthand experience with real ear worms, it’s an unfair name. Ear worms writhe; they dig deep into the ear canal.” He moaned, and it was the most indecent sound Arthur had ever heard, and his body reacted even as his hindbrain said, RUN . “Biting and gnawing at the flesh… they’re near impossible to get out. It’s enough to drive someone mad!”

Arthur was turned on. Arthur was horrified.

“Mark you down as scared and horny, huh? Sure, sure, I get it,” said the guy.

“Let go,” said Arthur with more confidence than he felt. “This is a good establishment. You can’t just… it’s gotta be consensual.”

“Oh, is it, Artie? Is it? Because it sure seems to me that I can do whatever I want to you right now, and nobody’s gonna say boo .” And his fingers bit in.

Bit in, pierced the flesh, chomped right down to Arthur’s bone.

He screamed. Pulled back, or tried, but got nowhere. 

Blood spilled over the table, sprayed on the candle. Poured out with such force and such volume that part of him knew this couldn’t be real, except he felt it , felt himself deflating, felt like he was going flat as his blood began to rise on the floor.

He whimpered.

“Oh! Oh, that’s a pretty nice sound. Huh. I like that,” said the monster.

“Let go!” cried Arthur, and for reasons he could not possibly understand, tried the weirdest volley ever: “I’m a father!”

The guy did let go. And started to laugh.

The laugh was worse. Worse than the biting grip, worse than the feeling of deflating , worse than all of this had been, and as Arthur tried to crawl away (shocked at how warm his own blood was, splashing up his limbs), the laugh followed like a knife, pounded into the ground on either side of him.

He was suddenly flung to his back, and the guy was right over him, pinning him down. “He picked you , buddy. That makes you fair game.”

“What?” said Arthur, afraid he was going to drown in his own blood. It tickled his chin, rose toward his cheeks, glopped and stuck and sloshed as he tried to get free.

The guy grabbed the back of his head and pulled him close. “Listen up, Artie,” he said, low. “I don’t repeat things, so this is the only time you’re going to hear it: dump the boy.”

Arthur stared at him. Stared, mind stalled silent.

“If you do, this all goes away. We don’t look for you. Nobody bothers you. You live your stupid, human life, short and pitiful, and maybe you make the tiniest ripple, but more likely, you don’t. But we leave you alone. If you don’t dump him…”

And the guy kissed him. Hard. 

It hurt. It was fucking incredible. It was devouring, demanding, brooking no quarter, giving no choice , and Arthur struggled to break away from it and pull the guy toward him at the same time, smearing blood all over the guy’s hair and suit.

The guy broke the kiss, panting, and his eyes glowed fucking red. “Keep the kid, and you will suffer. Oh… oh! You will suffer , more than you knew a living person could. There will be no respite. No safe place. No one to pray to. Keep that boy, and every last second of your life will be spent cursing the day you spurned my favor.”

Arthur gasped, erection hard, heart pounding, trying fruitlessly to get away, unable to pull out of this guy’s iron grip. “Favor?”

“I warned you.” The guy grinned. “That’s how good you played. You earned a warning. ”

Arthur stared at him.

“Ciao,” said the guy.

And Arthur woke up.

Woke with a start, woke with a gasp, woke realizing almost too late that he had a baby girl in his arms, and he kept her, didn’t drop her, but she startled awake at his sudden movement, and the sour odor told him she needed her diaper changed.

Faroe bawled. She’d gotten scared. 

He held her close, standing, walking, willing his erection to go down, willing his stomach not to upchuck, willing himself (without effect) to understand what just happened and to know it was not real.

“I’ve got you, baby girl, it’s okay, it’s okay,” he said, pacing with her, and glanced over at his son.

John stared at him, face long with fear. He was so still. Frozen. Hands unmoving, no wriggling. And his eyes were solid gold.

Arthur did not need to see a pupil to know that John was staring at him.

He paced, holding Faroe, bouncing her a little, trying to calm her down, but his gaze stayed on John.

This… this moment.

This moment felt bigger than any he’d ever faced in his life, and he didn’t even know why.

It was a dream . A fucking stupid dream , meaningless, born of stress and living a life of lies, nothing more than that.

John’s golden eyes watched him, and his baby’s breath came fast, tiny nostrils flaring.

Faroe had mostly quieted. Arthur kissed her forehead. “Sweetie. I need to deal with your brother right now. Okay?”

She was fucking six hours old and couldn’t possibly understand him, but she did , and sniffled, sort of bapping his cheek with one mittened hand.

He placed her in the carriage and picked up his son.

John was stiff as a board. Scared. So terrified.

That was okay. Arthur was, too.

He didn’t pace. He held John, looking at him. So warm. So solid. So real. “I had a weird dream, kid,” he said.

John’s already short breathing picked up.

“You know that, don’t you? Or you know… you know something happened.”

John whined.

On instinct, Arthur walked to the bathroom to look in the mirror, and discovered his lips looked bruised.

Red. Swollen. Like someone had fucked the hell out of his face.

This did not feel good. He took a slow breath and looked at John.

John was still. John was golden-eyed. John was… helpless. Whatever else was happening here, whatever fucked-up weirdness was going on… John was helpless.

Arthur had been helpless in his life. It wasn’t a good place to be. “You’re scared, huh?” he said softly. “Whatever just… whatever I dreamed, it’s got some effect in the real world. That guy wants me to just leave you outside to die, or something.”

John was beginning to cry, but not like a baby. Tears welled in his eyes, sliding down cherubic and rosy cheeks, but he did not make a sound.

John was helpless.

Arthur had been helpless. After his parents died. When he’d been handed from person to person, and finally over to horrifyingly abusive people, against whom he’d had no quarter, no way to say no , no guardian to hide behind.

Arthur hated that helplessness , more than he feared the guy and the blood and the pain. Far more.

“I’ve got  you, John,” he said, low, and it was a vow. “I won’t toss you out. I don’t know what that guy was saying. I don’t know what’s in store. But I won’t…” he had to swallow. “I will not leave you helpless like I was. Okay? This… this queer guy has you. I don’t have power.  I'm living a lie, and it's all... it's all bad. But whatever I have, it’s yours. I won’t leave you helpless and alone.”

John’s tears kept coming, but they changed. He gripped Arthur’s finger again, tight in one minuscule hand, and his eyes went back to blue.

Whatever this deal was, it had been accepted.

Arthur didn’t know what this deal was. He knew he’d pissed off that guy. And maybe… that was it. Tonight, when he slept, it would be over.

If it was, Arthur understood he would die with the knowledge he’d been true to himself, and what other way to be was there, really? 

He kissed John’s head. “Don’t know much,” he said. “But I know your sister needs a change. Okay?”

“Ah,” said John.

Arthur put him down and got to work learning how to give a newborn a brand-new diaper, and clean up the mess he found inside.

Somehow, that seemed the perfect metaphor for this entire day.

[luninosity]

What is your secrets to have/had cats that live a long healthy life? Like foods, environment, etc. Did they all spayed/neutered, had their vaccines, annual health exams for seniors? I have 14 yo cat and i want her to be with me as long and as healthy as possible. Thank you

That's pretty much what it is, yep! :-)

Our kitties (ours now, and my parents' cats that I grew up with) have always been indoor cats (sometimes, under supervision, they can go in the backyard - fenced-in-yard - on a leash and harness; one of my parents' cats will ride in a stroller when they go for long walks, but the others get too stressed!). They're all spayed or neutered, they have all their shots, they get annual vet visits (more often if there's something that looks worrying, like when we thought Merlyn was losing weight, and she was!) and kitten or senior care (food, meds) as needed.

We try to do a lot of playtime (it naturally slows down as they age, but we want to keep them active) and keep them engaged - Merlyn likes to run and chase, so we have a lot of strings, feathers on sticks, wiggly things she can hunt! Sir Percival liked more pounce-and-kick-and-eviscerate play. :-)

We have a lot of treats, especially as they get older - especially Merlyn, right now, as she puts back on some weight! She's also very picky about variety of flavors (and senior cats need stronger flavors, as their taste buds dull a little) - she likes most things, but she gets bored, so we have to switch flavors of food! She gets wet food because it's better hydration, which is important as they get older - she has a little bowl of dry food too, but she doesn't actually like dry food all that much, so she'll really only eat it if we've both been gone most of the day and she's hungry!

I know we're lucky in that we have enough income that, when the vet says, "she needs this medication," we can say, "okay, let's do that" - not everyone can! (And honestly there's probably an upper limit, we're not, like, rich...but...we would do everything we reasonably could, and we would adjust a people-food budget to save money if we had to.) (As a pre-teen, like eleven or so, I once sat right there and watched my dad spend over $5k in one night, at one vet emergency care hospital, trying to save one of their rescues who had an out-of-the-blue, completely unpredictable, heart attack at four years old. He told them to try everything and not worry about the cost. And then he worked three overtime shifts later at his job. Which tells you a lot about my parents and their attitude toward their cats...)

I suspect we're also lucky that we both have some applicable skills - Awesome Husband is a doctor's kid and knows a lot about various medications and isn't afraid to get messy (say, if something causes diarrhea), and my mom worked as a vet tech for a few years - some of their rescue cats have been little enough that she's bottle-fed them, raised them, all of that. And I used to be a lifeguard (with applicable first-aid, including animal CPR, training and such) and I'm not at all bothered by needles - so between us we were fine doing things like giving Percy fluid injections at home, when his kidneys got so bad.

So I guess that last piece of advice is...if that's something that might come up, with an elderly kitty, maybe practice things like injections in case you need to?

But it sounds like you are an awesome Cat Parent already, given the question! <3 And Miss Merlyn says hi to your kitty, too!

[heidi-oferrall-is-a-narcissist]

So fun fact about the "drape dress", it's made by Gunne Sax, and they go for hundreds of dollars a pop minimum. So next time Heidi complains about being broke, remember she won't think twice about losing hundreds of dollars on a dress that doesn't even look good.

She's been doing that for a long time, she spends hundreds of dollars on cat strollers or decorations in her shop even though her shop is entirely online and she doesn't have customers physically walking in to see those decorations. Then after she wastes all of the tiny bit of earnings she actually gets on frivolous junk, she whines on Twitter about having no money for bills and how it's everybody else's fault and absolutely not her inability to manage a budget. Rinse and repeat. It's like she expects throwing a temper tantrum whenever she spends all her money will get her bills paid for the rest of her life so she can buy whatever she wants whenever she wants.

[macklemsstrollers01]

The Ultimate Stroller Buying Guide for 2025: What Parents Should Know

Choosing the right strollers in 2025 can feel like navigating a maze — with countless models, cutting-edge features, and new innovations flooding the market. Whether you're a first-time parent or upgrading your current gear, it’s crucial to find a stroller that’s safe, practical, and perfectly suited to your family’s lifestyle.

This updated guide covers everything you need to know before purchasing a stroller this year.

Why Every Parent Needs a Great Stroller

A stroller is more than just a way to move your child from point A to B. It’s a daily essential that supports your mobility, convenience, and peace of mind. The right stroller makes errands, trips, and walks easier and more enjoyable — not just for your baby, but for you too.

Thanks to major technological advancements, modern strollers in 2025 are more intelligent, secure, and flexible than ever before.

Stroller Types Available in 2025

Before diving into features, it helps to understand the different kinds of strollers available. Each serves a specific purpose:

Full-Size Strollers

Feature-rich and durable, ideal for daily use with generous storage and adjustable seating.

Travel Systems

Combine a stroller and infant car seat for easy transitions between car rides and walks.

Umbrella Strollers

Lightweight and compact — perfect for travel or quick errands, though with fewer features.

Jogging Strollers

Built for active parents with large wheels and suspension systems for rougher terrain.

Double or Triple Strollers

Designed for multiple children; available in side-by-side or tandem layouts.

Convertible Strollers

Adaptable strollers that grow with your child — often transitioning from single to double with add-ons.

Key Features to Look For When Buying a Stroller in 2025

1. Safety First

5-point harness system for secure seating

Reliable brakes (foot and hand-operated options)

Sturdy, tip-resistant frame

JPMA Certification for compliance with safety standards

2. Ease of Use

One-hand folding mechanism

Lightweight for easy carrying and storage

Intuitive design for hassle-free everyday use

3. Smooth Maneuverability

Swivel wheels for easier steering

Suspension system for a bump-free ride

Ergonomic handlebar for better control

4. Comfort for Your Child

Multi-position reclining seats

Adjustable footrests

Large, UV-protected canopies with weather shields

5. Flexibility and Adjustability

Reversible seat (parent- or forward-facing)

Adjustable handlebars for different parent heights

Compatibility with bassinets or toddler attachments

6. Storage Space

Spacious under-seat basket

Additional pockets or compartments

Easy-access design for on-the-go convenience

7. Durability and Materials

Eco-friendly, water-resistant fabrics

Frames made of lightweight aluminum or reinforced plastic

Easy-to-clean surfaces for everyday messes

8. Portability

Compact folding design for small spaces

Travel-ready models that fit in airplane overhead bins

Carry handles or travel bags included in some designs

9. High-Tech and Smart Features

Some 2025 strollers are packed with advanced features like:

App connectivity

Self-folding systems

Built-in white noise machines

Integrated GPS trackers for added security

Budget: Finding the Right Balance

Prices range from under $100 to over $1,500. While it’s tempting to go all-in on high-end models, the best stroller is one that meets your actual needs without overspending.

Tip: Focus on features that match your lifestyle — whether that’s all-terrain wheels, compact folding, or long-term adaptability.

Top Stroller Brands in 2025

Reputable brands leading the market include:

UPPAbaby – Known for luxury and modular designs

Bugaboo – Premium quality and sleek styling

Nuna – Lightweight, travel-friendly options

Baby Jogger – Great for urban use and active parents

Cybex – Stylish and tech-integrated designs

Where to Shop:

Trusted retailers like Macklem’s offer curated selections, expert guidance, and strong customer support — a big plus when choosing a stroller you’ll rely on daily.

Tips Before You Buy

Test It Out: If possible, visit a store and push the stroller around. Try folding and lifting it.

Read Reviews: Online feedback reveals real-world pros and cons.

Plan Ahead: Choose a model that adapts as your baby grows.

Check Return Policies: A flexible return or exchange policy is key if the stroller doesn’t meet your expectations.

Look for Bundles: Travel system sets and stroller bundles often offer better value.

Final Thoughts

Strollers in 2025 are smarter, safer, and more versatile than ever before. Whether you’re navigating city streets, airports, or local parks, the right stroller can truly simplify your parenting journey.

Keep your focus on what matters most: safety, comfort, and ease of use. Once your essentials are covered, you can decide which high-tech features or design perks are worth the extra investment. With thoughtful research and the right shopping partner, you’ll find a stroller that supports your family — wherever life takes you.

[californiaemploymentlawyer]

Free Summer Lunch Returns to Chino Parks: You Need To Know This

School is out, but making sure kids in Chino, California eat well shouldn’t be a worry. This summer, Chino's Monte Vista and Liberty Parks are once again offering free lunches for all children ages 18 and under. These daily lunches give your family some extra support during the weeks when school cafeterias are closed. Chino Free Summer Lunch Just head over to Monte Vista Park on Monte Vista Avenue or Liberty Park on Telephone Avenue any weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You don’t need to sign up—just show up, and the friendly staff will take care of the rest. It’s a simple way to help stretch your grocery budget and let your kids enjoy a fresh midday meal in the park. Key Takeaways Free summer lunches are available for kids at two Chino parks. No sign-up is needed, just visit during lunch hours. Local programs help support families when school is out. Overview of the Chino Free Summer Lunch Program Chino’s free summer lunch program helps families by offering healthy meals to kids in the community. You can find these meals at Monte Vista Park and Liberty Park during the summer months. Purpose and Community Impact This program is meant to make sure no child goes hungry while school is out. Many families depend on school lunches during the year, so summer can be hard for some. This service fills the gap and makes things a little easier. You can count on these meals being nutritious and kid-friendly. By coming together at these parks, families also get to connect with others around the neighborhood. The parks feel lively, and it’s a spot for kids to meet friends and enjoy the outdoors. You aren’t just getting a meal; you’re part of something bigger. The city is working to make sure every kid has a safe place to eat and spend time over summer break. Eligibility Requirements Meals are available for all children who are 18 years old or younger. If someone is 19 or older with a mental or physical disability, they are also welcome. There are no sign-ups, income checks, or paperwork to fill out, which keeps things simple. Just show up at either Monte Vista Park or Liberty Park during meal hours. It doesn’t matter where you live in Chino or your family’s situation. The goal is to make these free lunches easy to get for every child who might need one. Here’s a quick look at who can get a free lunch: Who Can Get a Lunch?Children, 18 years old or youngerPeople 19+ with a qualifying disability Program Schedule and Duration The free summer lunches run from Tuesday, May 27, 2025, through Friday, August 1, 2025. You can get lunch Monday through Friday at both parks. Lunch is served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., or until the food runs out that day. The two locations are: Monte Vista Park: 13196 Monte Vista Avenue Liberty Park: 11860 Telephone Avenue Get there a little before lunch starts to make sure your child gets a meal. You don’t need to sign up in advance—just pick a spot, show up, and enjoy lunch together. Summer Lunch at Monte Vista Park Monte Vista Park is one of the main spots for free summer lunches in Chino. Kids and families in the community can easily join for a healthy meal and some fun at this well-known local park. Location Details and Accessibility You can find Monte Vista Park at 13196 Monte Vista Avenue in Chino. The park is easy to get to, with plenty of parking spaces nearby. If you live close, it’s just a short walk or bike ride. Lunches are served on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting May 27 and ending August 1. Look for signs or staff when you arrive—they’ll help you find the right place. The eating area is shaded for comfort. Monte Vista Park has wide pathways that make it simple for strollers and wheelchairs to get around. There are restrooms on-site and benches nearby so you can sit and relax. Supported Families and Participation All children and teens 18 years old or younger can get a free lunch. You don’t need to show an ID or sign up in advance. If you care for a child with a physical or mental disability who’s 19 or older, they can also join.

This program is for everyone in the community. If you need help or have questions, friendly staff are there to assist you. They don’t ask about your income or immigration status, so families don’t have to worry about privacy. Most days, you’ll find other families enjoying the park too. It’s a casual, welcoming place to eat and maybe even meet new friends. If you have questions about summer jobs or workers’ rights, sometimes you can find info about local services—like talking to a Chino Employment Lawyer if you need advice. Summer Lunch at Liberty Park Liberty Park is one of the key places in Chino where you can grab a free lunch for kids this summer. You'll find lots of open space to play and a friendly setup that makes it easy to enjoy a relaxing meal. Facility Resources and Amenities Liberty Park is located at 11860 Telephone Avenue in Chino. It's a public park with lawns, shaded picnic areas, and walking paths. You'll also spot a playground, sports courts, and plenty of benches to sit and eat. Bathrooms are on site and kept clean, which is helpful if you’re spending the afternoon there. There are trash cans and recycling bins near the lunch area, so cleaning up is simple. If you need to cool off, the park has shaded trees and places to sit under cover. For families, the easy parking makes drop-off and pickup quick. Whether you want to stay for the whole lunchtime or just grab food and go, you’ll find it pretty convenient. Chino Serving Hours and Menu Highlights Liberty Park’s free summer lunch is available Monday through Friday. Lunch is normally served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meals will be served until supplies run out, so it’s smart to show up closer to the starting time. These lunches are for anyone 18 years old and younger. If you're 19 or older and have a mental or physical disability, you can also get a meal. The lunches are healthy and balanced, usually including a sandwich or wrap, fruit, a veggie side, and milk or juice. You don’t need to sign up ahead of time or show proof of income. Just stop by during serving hours and enjoy a meal in the park. Helpers are around if you have any questions about the food or the program. How Chino Local Efforts and Partnerships Sustain Family Support Free summer lunch programs in Chino are made possible by strong teamwork between local organizations and city leaders. These efforts include help from both paid staff and volunteers, helping families while also providing job opportunities. Chino Community Organizations Involved Groups like the City of Chino, the Chino Valley Unified School District, and the USDA work together to organize and fund the lunches. These organizations bring meals to Monte Vista Park and Liberty Park, making it easier for families to get a good lunch close to home. You’ll also see involvement from the California Department of Education, which supports and helps manage the program. Neighborhood groups and non-profits sometimes provide extra activities, like games or learning projects, during the meal hours. Their support means more families know about—and can use—the summer lunch service. Chino Volunteer Opportunities and Employment You can help out by volunteering at either park, where you might help serve food, clean up, or run activities for kids. Some programs look for teenagers or college students who want community service hours or work experience. Paid staff positions, like site supervisors or kitchen helpers, are available each summer. These jobs often go to local residents, and some employers follow rules that protect your workplace rights—if you have questions, you can always ask an Employment Lawyer in Chino for help. Whether you’re looking for volunteer hours or a summer job, there’s likely a role that fits you.

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Transport Bus Pas Cher Disneyland – The Budget-Friendly Way to Reach the Magic

Visiting Disneyland Paris is a dream for many families, couples, and tourists from all around the world. But let’s be real – entre les billets d'entrée, les repas, les souvenirs... le budget peut vite exploser. That’s why finding a transport bus pas cher Disneyland is a smart move if you want to enjoy the magic without emptying your wallet.

Why Choose a Cheap Bus to Disneyland?

When it comes to reaching Disneyland Paris from central Paris or nearby airports like Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly, or even Beauvais, le bus est souvent l'option la plus économique. Compared to taxis, private shuttles or even the RER train, a transport bus pas cher Disneyland offers a great balance between price, comfort, and simplicity.

Many tourists are surprised to find out that bus transfers can cost as little as 10 to 25 euros, depending on the point of departure. That’s unbeatable if you’re traveling on a budget or in a group.

From Paris to Disneyland – Cheap Bus Options

Il existe plusieurs compagnies de bus qui assurent la liaison entre Paris et Disneyland. Whether you're staying near Gare de Lyon, Châtelet, or even Bercy, you can usually find a transport bus pas cher Disneyland departing several times a day.

One popular service is the Magical Shuttle, which operates mainly from the Paris airports (CDG and Orly), but there are also local city-to-Disney buses operated by regional companies or even tour providers.

The best part? C’est souvent direct – no need to switch between metro lines or carry your luggage across crowded train stations.

From Airports to Disneyland – A Popular Bus Transfer

If you’re landing at Orly or Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, a cheap Disneyland bus transfer is probably your best bet.

For example, from CDG, the Magical Shuttle takes you straight to the Disneyland hotels or bus stop, with tickets starting around 23€ for adults and 10€ for kids. It's a comfy, air-conditioned coach with plenty of space for bags and strollers – parfait pour les familles.

From Orly, les tarifs sont similaires, and the journey takes about 60 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. It’s not only convenient but also a much cheaper alternative than taxis (which can cost 80-100€).

What Makes a Transport Bus Pas Cher Disneyland So Practical?

Let’s break it down.

Low cost: It’s by far the most affordable door-to-park option.

No stress: Pas besoin de naviguer dans le métro avec des valises.

Comfort: Most buses are modern, with A/C, Wi-Fi, and spacious seating.

Flexible: Plusieurs départs par jour, matin et soir.

Et pour les groupes ou les familles nombreuses ? Even better – the price per person becomes even more attractive.

How to Book Your Cheap Disneyland Bus Transfer

La plupart des services de transport bus pas cher Disneyland peuvent être réservés en ligne. It’s quick, easy, and you often get discounts if you book round trips.

Voici quelques astuces pour payer encore moins :

Book in advance, especially during weekends and school holidays.

Compare prices on aggregator websites or tourism platforms.

Check if your hotel offers a free or discounted shuttle to the park.

And don’t forget to print or download your ticket in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

Bonus Tip: What If You're Staying in Paris?

If your hotel is in central Paris and you want a cheap transport to Disneyland, you have a few extra options.

Some tour companies offer Disneyland day trip packages that include round-trip bus transport and entrance tickets. Others operate daily shuttles from key tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower or Opéra.

Ce type de transport bus pas cher Disneyland est parfait si vous ne voulez pas vous prendre la tête avec les trains ou changer plusieurs fois de ligne.

Final Thoughts

Finding a transport bus pas cher Disneyland is the smartest way to save money without sacrificing convenience. Whether you’re landing at Orly, CDG, or staying in Paris, there’s always a reliable and budget-friendly bus option waiting to take you straight to the magic.

No need to stress about directions, metro transfers or expensive taxis. Just hop on, sit back, and get ready for an unforgettable day at Disneyland Paris.

Looking for an easy and affordable way to get there? Let Navettes Aéroports handle your transfer. Reliable, comfortable and budget-friendly – your journey to the magic starts here.