Stuff

Silly, yet serious

by Stacy on April 15, 2012

Silly, yet serious.

That’s the best way to describe this little one right now. One minute she is all smiles and giggles and and the next she’s soulful; deep in contemplation, so quiet and demure.

She’s changing everyday, yet it is me who seems foreign to her. It’s a delicate time for the two of us, I catch her looking at me with those big blue eyes, so uncertain and so speculative. I can feel her beginning to pull away from me now — not quite sure how my role as a mother is going to fit in to her big, new and evolving life.

I knew this time would come for us, but I never dreamed it would start so soon. I feel as if we’re in the middle of some pre scripted dance routine, one I’ve danced a time or two before … yet in much smaller shoes. My first reaction is to hold on tight and never let her go, but I know that is not, nor can not be the answer. Instead, for now, I’ve chosen to show her how much I love her at least as often as I tell her. To listen to what she’s saying and offer her the biggest gift I know how: all my heart and all of my head. I can use these two not to lead her in life, but rather to guide her down this new path she is carving out as her own.

Most of all it seems these days I am hoping. Hoping that some how, some way deep down on the inside, she gets me. Gets me in a way I never really got my Mom, at least not until I was a mother myself. I’m also hoping she might stay my sweet and silly serious little girl for just a little longer …

What special moments did you capture this week?

<div align="center"><a href="http://kidsstuffworld.com/category/stuff/life-in-an-instant/" title="Life in an Instant" target="_blank"><img src="http://kidsstuffworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LIAI_150_2.jpg" alt="Life in an Instant" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Disneynature Chimpanzee & a Giveaway

by Stacy on April 9, 2012

Win a Disneynature Chimpanzee Prize Pack!

For the last few years, Disney has released an epic film just before Earth Day and used parts of it’s proceeds to champion a great cause. First, there was Earth, then Oceans, African Cats and now Disneynature’s newest True Life adventure, Chimpanzee. This one of a kind story takes you deep in to the forests of Africa and opens your eyes to a whole new way of life through the eyes of Oscar, an adorable young chimpanzee. Oscar has a playful curiosity and a zest for discovery viewers are sure to love. Oscar lights up the forest until a twist of fate leaves him to fend for himself. Luckily, he finds help from an unexpected ally.

FREDDY is the powerful and highly respected leader of Oscar’s chimpanzee family. He is in charge of keeping everyone safe and knows just where to go to find breakfast, lunch and dinner. Freddy takes his responsibilities very seriously, so he has little time for fun.

ISHA is Oscar’s loving mother and sole caretaker. She grooms him, nurses him and serves as his personal taxi throughout the rainforest. Like all mothers, she is challenged with Oscar’s restless ways—often missing out on well-deserved naps due to his shenanigans. But she loves her son dearly and would do anything for him.

OSCAR is a feisty, funny and adorable baby chimpanzee.
His high-energy spirit and sense of adventure shine as he plays with his little friends and learns the ways of the world under the watchful eye of mom Isha. But life in the rainforest isn’t always fun and games and Oscar has a lot to learn. He teams up with a very special and unexpected teacher who shares the most valuable tool of all: love.

SCAR heads up a rival chimpanzee group which always seems to be lingering on the edge of Freddy’s turf. They’d love to get their hands on the tasty nuts that grow in Oscar’s neighborhood and their constant presence keeps Freddy on his toes.

ABOUT THE FILM: Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“African Cats” and “Earth”) and Mark Linfield (“Earth”), and narrated by Tim Allen (ABC’s “Last Man Standing”), Disneynature joined forces with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) for a special “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” program.

For every moviegoer who sees “Chimpanzee” during the film’s opening week (April 20-26, 2012), Disneynature will make a donation to JGI through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund in order to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. For more information, visit Disney.com/Chimpanzee.

Now for the fun part,

To help get your little ones excited about the film, Disneynature is offering one KSW reader (sorry, US residents only) a Chimpanzee prize pack. This prize pack includes a special Making of the film book, a reusable Chimpanzee tote bag and an Oscar plush toy. Giveaway is open till midnight April 15th, use the form below to enter to win – Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Life in an Instant: I DID IT!!!

by Stacy on April 3, 2012

I know Life in an Instant didn’t publish on Sunday, but I have a good reason … Saturday morning I woke up at 4:45 am, laced up my sneakers and took a 40 minute bus ride to Bastrop, Texas to complete my very first half marathon, Zooma Texas.

It was still dark as our bus made its way up and down the narrow winding roads I would soon be climbing with my own two feet. I must admit, I was overly apprehensive. I doubted my ability and forgot all of the many, many miles my sneakers had racked up leading up to this very moment.

There wasn’t much time to doubt myself, the sun was rising and racers were being called to the starting line. I gave my sister in law one last hug and she was gone, up to the front of the line where faster runners belonged. Suddenly, I was all alone. The countdown began and we were off.
I had spent months carefully selecting each song that would escort me on my journey, but someone had other plans for me. A different playlist sounded in my ears and the notes and words could not have been more perfectly selected for my journey. I didn’t even make it across the starting line before my eyes were filling with tears.

I turn the music up, I got my records on
I shut the world outside until the lights come on
Maybe the streets alight, maybe the trees are gone
I feel my heart start beating to my favorite song

The songs kept coming just like that, as if they had been perfectly orchestrated for what and how I was feeling, so uplifting. I had done my research, I knew the obstacles that lay in front of me. The 2.5 mile mountain that started the run, the next 5 miles of up & downs. I was more than intimidated, yet somehow my feet found the way.

The miles ticked by. The first 8 came much faster than I thought they would … but those last 5.1, well they seemed to take forever. Lucky for me, I had a support network cheering me on. Messages from my husband, tweets from my friends and this adorable fella rooting me on
That last show of support came in my darkest hour of the run and gave me the strength I needed to dig deep and push through till the end. Thanks Tricia! You guys were a lifesaver.
I dedicated the last three miles of the run to my kiddos, spending a whole mile focusing on each of them helped take my mind off of the fatigue I was feeling. This shot was right after I got Tricia’s tweet and found a second wind, I powered it out and as I came along that last half mile stretch the racers who had already finished started cheering me on. As I rounded the last curve and saw the 13 mile marker, my sister in law was there waiting for me (LOVE YOU MEGAN — FOREVER AND EVER). Somehow I found the power to sprint to her, we high fived and I ran across that finish line.
The post race rewards were breathtaking, I highly recommend you check out the Lost Pines Resort if you’re ever near Austin or Bastrop, Texas. I know my family will be taking a trip there as soon as I can arrange one! I’m ready to experience all that I’ve seen firsthand with the ones I love now, lazy river and all.

I still can’t believe what we accomplished, to think when we toyed around with the idea in November I wasn’t even able to run a mile. We “trained together” via text and email — she lives in California. We cheered each other on during long runs and kept up with one another on dailymile. We were dedicated and found a way to make it happen.

It truly is amazing what your body can do if you can get your mind to be quiet long enough to let it! I’ve wanted to tell you all for so long now, but didn’t want to let anyone down. Now that I’ve achieved my goal, I have a few notes and lessons learned I’d like to share with you. If you have any specific questions you’d like me to answer or just want to leave a kind word, I sure would appreciate it.

So tell me, what did you do this week?

<div align="center"><a href="http://kidsstuffworld.com/category/stuff/life-in-an-instant/" title="Life in an Instant" target="_blank"><img src="http://kidsstuffworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LIAI_150_2.jpg" alt="Life in an Instant" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Life in an Instant: those special moments

by Stacy on March 26, 2012

(Clockwise from L-R: date nights should happen more often, a creative day with friends, teeny tiny flowers for Mom, a rare 1 on 1 cuddle sesh with this little guy)

There’s little I could tell you about my life this week that isn’t described in the photos above. My life is full and happy and oh so wonderful, I’m doing all I can to keep it that way and wishing this very same feeling for each and every one of you!

Do you Instagram?

Let’s connect! You can follow me online here or by searching for the username steet — oh, and while we’re at it, why not link a round up of your favorite shots here and make a few new friends too? I’ve had such a great time getting to know you all — finding out that Michelle and I would TOTALLY be friends in real life, or taking actual instas WITH my other Michelle, and now joining up with Zina to try and make this Life in an Instant party a little bit bigger & better for all of us.

<div align="center"><a href="http://kidsstuffworld.com/category/stuff/life-in-an-instant/" title="Life in an Instant" target="_blank"><img src="http://kidsstuffworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LIAI_150_2.jpg" alt="Life in an Instant" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Thanks so much for sharing your time & thoughts (& hopefully photos) with me!

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Basalmic Chicken & Toasted Tortellini

by Stacy on March 21, 2012

It’s been quite a few Valentine’s Days since my first go round with the goodness that is brown butter and basalmic vinegar. I remember our first Valentine’s Day as new parents, we couldn’t go out for a romantic dinner so I made us one at home. That night it was brown butter & baslamic toasted ravioli (awesome!), but this version with tortellini was equally good and pretty kid friendly too.

Basalmic Chicken & Brown Butter Toasted Tortellini

Heat some olive oil & minced garlic in a large pan. Add your chicken breasts or tenderloins and after a few minutes add a few tablespoons of a nice quality basalmic vinegar. I think we used 4-5 small frozen breasts here with 1.5 tablespoons of vinegar, increase the amount based on how much chicken you are using. Let the chicken cook until the juices run clear and the outside starts to brown and get a bit crispy.

Cook tortellini according to package directions (we used grocery store brand frozen spinach & cheese tortellini), drain and set aside. Melt 4-6 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan and continue to heat until butter starts to turn brown (5-7 minutes). Add tortellini and a tablespoon or two of baslamic vingear (depending on how much tortellini you have). Stir around until tortellini are coated in butter & basalmic vinegar and then a few minutes more until tortellini starts to “toast” a bit.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese & sit down to enjoy this truly fabulous meal with your family.

Served here with one of my favorite summer salads — the caprese salad.
So simple, yet so tasty. All you need are some mixed greens of your choice, cherry tomatoes cut in half (any tomatoes will do, dice a larger one if that’s what you have on hand), some fresh mozzerella (we used tiny mozzerella balls, so simple), a bit of olive oil, a bit of baslasmic vinegar, basil, and some salt & pepper. Sometimes I add parsley and oregano too, if I have it on hand.

If you’ve never cooked with or experimented with Baslamic Vinegar … then we have lots to talk about! It’s a staple in my pantry and I would love to help make it one in yours as well.

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