Kids Stuff World — The little things, the big things and all the "stuff" in between

Wintertime Family Fun

by Stacy on December 22, 2011

Today wasn’t just the shortest day of the year {the winter solstice} or only the official first day of winter, but it’s also the first day I’ve started to notice my mom friends stressing out. Their kids are all home, they are starting to wreak havoc in the house and are looking for some new ways to burn off energy and have a little fun. Sound familiar?

Don’t worry Moms! Nature Rocks is here to help
with an awesome FREE download:

The 2011-2012 Winter Activity Guide

This guide is chock full of ways you can enjoy some quality family time together without a ton of preparation. You’ll be staying active, getting outdoors, making memories with the ones you love and even saving money. Now there’s a great way to spend Christmas vacation.

Download your copy today and you’ll get all the details you need to go on a Photo Safari, make some rain art, build a backyard beach and even watch a sweet potato grow! All this and many other ideas included in the winter activity guide.

A huge shout out to my fellow Nature Rocks Ambassadors Carlene, Debi, Katharine and Lindsey for their awesome ideas and contributions to this guide. These ladies are amazing resources. Check out their blogs and follow the Nature Rocks Facebook page where you’ll see us all contribute ideas from time to time.

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You are all an inspiration & Cindee wins a prize!!

by Stacy on December 19, 2011

I held a quick and easy contest over the weekend asking folks what good deeds they had done this holiday season.
The responses blew me away.

Truly.

What an incredible bunch of women you all are.

My family does what we can when we can, I use leftover holiday money to buy $5 gift cards to McDonalds and Subway and the likes. I give these giftcards to people I meet throughout the year who might need a warm meal or a helping hand. We run races once a month for various causes and charities and I try to support as many worthy campaigns as I can throughout the year, but Wow. You ladies have really inspired me.

♥ Toni touched my heart when she told me about the Angel Tree project in her town that gives presents to children whose parents are in prison so they will know someone out there cares for them.

♥ Jen’s office had an amazing idea to raise money by decorating their work spaces and voting for the winner with cash to be donated later.

Our winner, Cindee has gone above and beyond to share with others in their time of need. Congratulations Cindee, you were randomly chosen for the $25 credit to Rue La La. Merry Christmas!

♥ Julie could use our help raising money for Penelope’s adoption. If you have a few extra dollars to spare, I’d like to ask you to donate them here. It could mean a world of difference to this beautiful girl.

There were so many other great stories, here go read them yourself!

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Life in an Instant: The days before Christmas

by Stacy on December 18, 2011

This week marked the start of my favorite time of year, the time when people & things start to slow themselves down just a little bit. Where our focus is shifted more towards stuff that really matters and family time comes pretty close to all of the time.

Sure, we’re all still crazy busy, yet somehow we manage to juggle time a little better and squeeze in some neat memories in the process. That’s what this week’s Life in an Instant post has been about for me. Maybe yours was different and that’s alright, I still really want to see what you’ve been up to all week.

You can tell from the photos we like to express ourselves with hats a lot! From safari hats to santa hats, teddy bear toboggans to full transformers head pieces — Anything goes. Her eyes in that transformer shot just melt my heart, so much sweetness wrapped up in to one spunky little girl. It really is fun to watch her.

The photos you’re seeing here are all snippets of our Countdown to Christmas tradition. I’ll admit we have had to adapt our plans significantly now that we have one child in school. I think the face of this tradition has changed for us forever, but we’re still plugging away making it a season to remember even if our activity of the day was just an hour long trip to the post office and a stroll through the fancy food store (third row – middle pic).

The lesson I’m learning this year is it doesn’t really matter what the activity is as long as we’re together, our hearts are in it and our attitudes are in the right places. Mine, maybe even more than theirs.

I’m curious, what lessons are you learning this year?

Now it’s your turn, show me your life this week captured in instants

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Little Rue helps us do a little good

by Stacy on December 16, 2011

Little Rue wants to know,

How are you doing a little good this holiday season?

I’ve been trying to buy local or through handmade vendors on sites like Etsy or Groopdealz. When I can’t do that, I try to make sure the item I am purchasing does double duty. Thats why I love gifts that give back. And that’s exactly what Nicole Kidman and Little Rue are doing for the Stanford Women’s Cancer Center this week.

Leave a comment about how you are making a difference
between now and Saturday night at midnight
and Rue La La will gift 1 do gooder $25 in store credit (good for 45 days).
Winner selected randomly.

Use your credit towards some of Nicole’s handpicked items,

Appaman Ski Jacket ~ $40
Rosanna Garden Tea Party Set ~ $40

Laura Ashley Pink Velvet Dress & Bloomer $26

Or purchase something yourself {FREE SHIPPING!} feeling good that 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Stanford Women’s Cancer Center. Amazing!

Disclosure: Little Rue contacted me and asked if I would spread the word about the Do A Little Good boutique happening right now and if I would be interested in gifting a reader $25 in store credit. I am passionate about programs like this, so I happily accepted. They also offered me a $25 credit for my time. This credit will be used to put something special under our tree this year. Thanks for helping that happen.

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Reconnect with Family Game Night

by Stacy on December 13, 2011

We’re trying to make this Christmas much smaller, much simpler, more well thought out than Christmases past. With three kids at home, our toy supply doesn’t need many new additions. The kids are getting older, their interests are changing so we’re taking time now to edit what we have and make room for some new special pieces more geared towards their interests.

Something else we’re doing is trying to focus on our family life. Ways we can improve it, ways we can have fun together, ways we can enjoy each others company.

Enter the family game night.

Shown Here: Hoot Owl Hoot / Animal Yahtzee / Blokus / Color Stix / Quirkle

Board games aren’t just limited to the ones you remember, Sorry. Life. Monopoly. Uno. Those are still around and every bit as fun, but there’s also a ton of new games on the market geared towards young children that adults will still enjoy.

There are usually great sales on games, just wait for them and you can also check discount stores like Ross, Marshalls or TJ Maxx. I found a Shrek Operation game at Marshall’s for a song last week. We play the original at a favorite coffee shop, so I’m sure they’re going to love this one.

Here’s a few of the games we’ll be adding to our collection this year:

Lost Puppies / Shrek Operation / Trouble / Blokus