DVD Giveaway - Standing Up against Bullying!

As a mom, I've been hopeful that one little perk of having twins will be that my kids will be there to "protect" each other during the cruel moments of childhood bullying.  I can already tell that my Julie will be a child who "marches to the beat of a different drum" - just as I was as a child.  For me, that difference resulted in a lot of bullying growing up.  It wasn't until halfway through High School, when I found my place in music and theater, that my confidence really grew and I fell into my own identity.  Since my own days in school, it seems like kids have even further lost their filters, and the brutality of bullying is intense and widespread.  It scares me as a mom...

According to Pacer.org, more than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied.

One of the best things we can do to understand the problem and discuss solutions is to be inspired. The new movie “Standing Up” is THAT inspiration.

Based on one of the most beloved Young Adult novels of all time and directed by the acclaimed D.J. Caruso, Standing Up follows two kids who get bullied by a vicious summer camp prank. Left together on an island, their adventure begins once they decide not to be victims and instead they Stand Up! 

Standing Up is an adorable and heart-warming gem of a movie with an important anti-bullying message that’s suitable for the whole family! Get the DVD August 20!

What can be done to help the bullied “stand up” for themselves?

Discover more about Standing Up by watching the trailer, taking the quiz and signing the Anti-Bullying pledge through the blog app below!



My Tales with Two is excited to be partnering with Standing Up to giveaway a free Signed Copy of the new movie to share with your family, friends or students!  Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below!


 

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Busy by Choice

I can't remember where I read it the other day (probably on someone's facebook wall link or huffpost referral) but I fell across an article talking about how when asked, the most common response to "how have you been" is "oh so busy."  It went on to say that "busy" is valued in our society, it means that you've got worth, value and demand enough to BE busy.  It talked about how this "busy" is by our own hand and choice, filling our calendars with something to do every moment of the day.

(After further googling, I found the article I read, and impressed that it was New York Times!)

So it got me thinking about my own time and how BUSY I am on a daily basis.  I could share my daily agenda, but it'd make you dizzy.  I'm constantly providing food/drink or changing a diaper or breaking up a fight or rescuing from danger or calming a hurt child.  It's absolutely non-stop.  And on top of it, I'm checking one of my three gmail accounts, answering a text, seeing who liked my latest post in my ribbon or mommy facebook group, getting a beep when my best friend posts yet another meme, or when someone finally paid their hairbow invoice.

It's a lot, managing toddler twins, a small business, a blog, and volunteering for organizations.  There's day's I feel like I'm over doing it, that if I could simply just let all the rest fall away and focus completely on my kids, that I'd be less exhausted from getting five hours of sleep on an average night.

But ya know what?  I have a choice.  And I choose to be Type A - a veritable game of Diner Dash balancing all of my spinning plates at once.  I need something all my own, and these things are the slivers that still exist of myself - the me not intrinsically tied to my kids.

Simply put, we don't need the money.  I've surely invested more in this business this first year than I'll ever get out of it.  What I do need is my sanity, and having this identity independent of my kids keeps me sane.

I am busy by choice.

Do my kids suffer?  I hope not and try to fully believe that they don't.  I try desperately not to be "the iPhone mom" and to be fully present with my kids when we're playing outside or reading or at the playground or museum.  But am I checking my messages at the stoplight?  Answering messages while they eat breakfast?  Texting while they chase each other around the house?  Sure am - and fingers crossed I won't be regretting it some day.

Someone told me recently that I can't have it all - that either I need to be home and fully home, or work and fully work.  In this age of technology, how can this be true?  How are my kids not better off at home with me, safe and supported, even if I am slightly distracted or working on something while they watch Bubble Guppies?

Clearly I'm still working on balance - and with a little luck, it'll come soon enough.  In the mean time, when a good friend asks how I'm doing, "busy" is the answer I'll give, knowing that busy means I'm choosing to meet the needs of my kids, but also my own.  My needs for challenge and an outlet for my drive are all here supported by my choice to be busy.

My Favorite No Bean Chili Recipe

It was only in the mid 50's this morning here in Pittsburgh - such strange weather for August!  We dressed in long sleeves  and jeans, with pairs of summer abomination - socks.  In honor of the chilly weather, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes I've recently fallen in love with - No Bean Chili.

I never grew up eating chili as I didn't (and still don't) like beans.  After discovering this recipe, it's become a family favorite - one I even like to enjoy while I'm on my Weight Watchers wagon.

Heather's No Bean Chili

My recipe is base on the one found here but with a few extras thrown in.

1 lb Ground Beef

2 Cloves Garlic

1 Large Onion, chopped

1 T Red Pepper Flakes (or more to taste)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

1 T Dried Oregano

2 T Chili Powder

2 T Frank's Red Hot
BKW Steak Seasoning (optional)

1 Can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

1/4 c Red Wine Vinegar

Suggested Toppings Frito's, (Light) Sour Cream, additional fresh chopped onion, (light) cheddar cheese

First, brown the ground meat in the bottom of a dutch oven, adding onion and garlic when almost cooked through.  Season the meat with the Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Pepper (I do 5 cranks) Chili Powder, Oregano and Red Hot stirring to coat evenly.  Add the Crushed Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes (with the juice) and vinegar, stirring to combine.  Bring to a boil then turn to low and simmer for as long as you can stand to wait - at least 20 minutes.  

My recipe removed the Cumin from the original recipe, and adds red pepper flakes and diced tomatoes.  I like the extra spice and heartiness!  I also add some steak seasoning from time to time.  It definitely adds a little something, but it's delicious without as well. 

I recommend loading it up with lots of toppings mentioned above.  If you're watching your calories, by using low fat beef, light sour cream and light cheese, you have a "point" friendly dinner that will really fill you up!   

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Snip Snip Sniffle

When Brayden got his hair trimmed right around his first birthday, I was so proud of what a champ I was!  Not a sniffle to be snuffed or a tear to be trickled.  I was just so glad to see that little "rat tail" disappear!

But lately, my adorable little shaggy "surfer boy" has been having trouble seeing through the hair hanging in his eyes, and I knew it was time.  So since my mom was ready to head home after spending most of last week here making piles of hair bows, we figured we better get out the scissors.

Brayden did so well, munching on his chocolate, sucking down a "squish pouch" and laughing at his Dad's distracting antics.  I on the other hand did not fair as well - tearfully looking away as my baby turned into a little boy right before my eyes.  (Here I go again - waterworks as I type).  And I know how ridiculous it is -  he's still the same Brayden with or without his hair.  But I struggle knowing that it'll never be quite the same.
My Dad tried reminding me that I haven't lost anything, just have lots of things to look forward to with each age.  Sorry to say, that doesn't make it any easier.  I realize how blessed I am every day and, much like a little child, feel like I like these days the best.

And in my own feminist ways, I make it more complicated than it probably is - pondering how for the first time, cultural norms have physically altered his appearance.  Julie's feminine curls still hang from her head while Brayden's waves are on my deck.  It's just the beginning of the man he'll have to become - the man that will grow up and move away to lead his own family.  Yes, I know I'm probably taking it a little far, but I'm a sappy mama here and my mind has a tenancy to take things down the road a bit.

He looks handsome and I'm sure I'll get used to it.  My mom did a great job courtesy of youtube and her 20 year past experiences.  In the meantime though, I'm going to pout and wait for it to grow back.

For your comparison - Brayden before and after his "sheering."

iTunes Giveaway and Touch 'n Sing Review

Brayden and Julie are getting to the age where anything musical is just thrilling - they smile, bop their head and dance along.  When you pair this with the colorful excitement of my cell phone or tablet, it becomes a great combination that will really hold their attention!

We recently had the opportunity to check out a new app for kids from SumahoMAMA called Touch 'n Sing and it was a total hit!  The app has been out or a while on itunes and recently launched for android.  Designed for kids aged 2-7, Touch 'n Sing (short for Touch and Sing Along Picture Book) hopes to entertain and engage with bright colors, movement and music, while adding a touch of education.

The app is actually a suite of smaller games which kids can access from one place.  The app is free to download and includes two free games - The Hokey Pokey and The Alphabet Game.  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is also a special freebie until September 1st.  These three are great to get started and my kids loved the songs so much that they'd run across the room to play when I opened the app.  At only 19 months, they're a little young for some of the games, but still loved the cause and effect experience of touching the screen and activating a special little sound or motion from the cast of characters.

When your little ones have mastered the free games (or you're just hoping for a little variety), additional games are available for purchase - most of which are only $.99.  They even offer two "Super Value Packs" where you can get six games for $4.99.  
As a family who likes to have it all, we bought both Super Value Packs so we could try all of the games. Here's a few of our favorites:
- Ten Little Indians
- Old McDonald Had a Farm
- I've Been Working on the Railroad
- Parade of the Wooden Soldier

These four were ideal for us because the child didn't really need any "skill" to have fun.  Touch the screen, and it'll make a noise, label the item, do a little dance, or give some other cute little gratification.  I would definitely recommend these for the littlest players!

For older children, I loved the pattern practice offered in The Farmer in the Dell, sorting in Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree, and the interactive matching challenge in The Muffin Man.

I will give one slight caution though to some conservative parents that are easily shocked - there are a few surprises you may want to watch for for sensitive/overly curious kids.  The Itsy Bitsy Spider does have spiders that eat butterflies and ladybugs if you guess incorrectly.  Similarly, the dog in BINGO will run over the young boy if he's not the correct pet indicated.  I was just slightly disturbed by the "baby or egg" choice in Turkey in the Straw and very surprised to see the animal on my screen simulating a birth of said baby or egg.  Nothing that's a huge deal in my perspective, but just another reminder that families should always be actively involved with their children's digital entertainment experience.

Overall, Touch 'n Sing is a fabulous app that I am so excited to have in my entertainment arsenal when we're out and about with twins.  I'm thrilled that I can have it right at my finger tips, where ever we go, and that with such a range of ages, it'll grow right along with them.  It's rare that I find an app that appeals to both of my toddlers, and Touch 'n Sing review seems to offer a little something for everyone.

Touch 'n Sing is available for download on iTunes and at Google Play.  Learn more about the app and it's developers on the SumahoMAMA website, twitter and facebook page.

SumahoMama wants to help you get started in buying additional games for your favorite kid by offering a $10 iTunes Gift Card!  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below - Good Luck!

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Contest ends August 13th at Midnight and winner will be contacted by email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.


Make my day and vote for me - please and thank you! :-D