My Little Yogi

Z-man and I have started a new routine...YOGA! I'm so excited. I've been wanting to incorporate some morning or evening yoga into our daily routine. Maybe this will help us connect more, be a fun bonding activity, and will provide him with some coping skills that I can remind him (and myself) of during stressful, angry, sad, or grumpy times. I figure the more tools I can give my kid to handle life's stress, the better.
I came across a pin for a website that has a handful of easy yoga poses with kid-friendly names and clear descriptions. I wrote down the ones I wanted to introduce to Z-man. I have been to less than five yoga classes in my life, so I'm learning along side my guy.
We started on a Saturday morning when Z's dad was in town and he participated, too. First, I asked Z if he wanted to do yoga. To my surprise, he said yes and started showing me some moves of his own. He put his feet high in the air and balanced on his bottom-a valiant attempt at the boat pose.

Ignore the constipated look; I swear he was actually having fun!

Our first time doing yoga, I modeled the poses I had written down, encouraging Z and his dad to join in. He loves the Donkey. We "hee-haw" as we hold this pose, which makes it so much more fun.

Our pjs are pretty cute, huh?

Jumping Tree is my favorite. We hold hands and raise a leg, jumping slightly until he starts to fall. We yell out "TIMBER!" as he falls slowly to the ground.

 The Flying Heart is very calming, though I think we have only successfully held this pose for about five seconds together.

When Z switches poses or moves on to a nearby tractor or drum, I continue with the pose for a few seconds and dramatize what I'm doing to encourage him to join back in. If he doesn't buy in, I move to the next pose- asking him if he wants to do the "falling star!!!!" with lots of excitement.

The coolest thing we have done with our yoga--and I use the term yoga loosely-- is tell a story. We used the wolf pose, child pose (for the pigs),  and deep breaths (in through nose, out through mouth) to act out The Three Little Pigs. This was so much fun. Z-man brought it up several times later in the day, demonstrating his howling wolf and talking about his chin-y chin chin.

Namaste, friends!

Seven Little Minutes a Day

Since I had Z-man, I have not had a normal work out routine. I've made grand plans to do all kinds of exercising, from running (I HATE IT) or Zumba (my fave, but not so kid friendly) to yoga (still working on this) or Wii Fit (by the time I get the Wii up and running, I'm over it). When I work out, I am more balanced, healthier, and less stressed. All good things. The problem is, once I get Z-man in bed, I'm tired. AND I still have a long to-do list! Being motivated to work out has been a challenge.
About two months ago, I was glancing through a magazine in a orthodontist waiting room with the kids I nanny when I came across a blip about the best apps of 2013.  One caught my eye. An app that leads you through a seven minute work out that has been scientifically proven to be effective? EFFECTIVE IN SEVEN SHORT MINUTES? Sign me up! 
The work out is pretty self explanatory and as challenging as you make it. When I'm tired, I run the app once (12 exercises, 30 seconds each, with 10 second rest between each) and give it as much effort has I have left in me. Other days, I run the app a few times and pump it out. When I can't bear the idea of doing side planks or push ups, I switch out the side planks for a similar exercise. I have consistently done this work out at least three times a week for two months now. Some weeks, I have done it every day. Finally, I found a work out that this mama can stick with!

Fire Fighter Fun

My classroom theme is Community Helpers this month. Our school tries to incorporate 3-D art into classroom learning so when I came across this diaper box upcycle, I was inspired. My students painted three diaper boxes, one red (fire house), one blue (police station), and one white (hospital). 

On fire fighter day, the kids drew plans of what the station should look like. I gathered some accessories such as construction paper flames, red ribbons, and white rope "hoses" and followed their plans as best I could. I pulled the Lincoln Logs out of my cabinet and we borrowed fire trucks from my Z-man's collection and from other classes. 

 

This quickly became the most played with toy in the classroom. One student even added a second level for the fire fighters to sleep.  (I was too busy enjoying their creativity to snap a pic.) They pretended that various areas of the room were on fire with paper and ribbon flames and called 911 on play phone in the classroom. The fire trucks raced out of he station to the rescue. Luckily, the rope hoses put out the fires quickly, but this play opened the door for some great fire safety conversations, too!
As an added bonus, Z-man, who plays in my class before and after school, loves this. All week he has been happily entertained with these boxes for about 20 minutes of independent play at a time! That's a goldmine with my 21-month old. Winner all around!