Member of the Month

In June I started to award the member of the month, it was an easy decision to choose Drea. She helped me out so much and always put so much into her workout. Plus she could do a million (exaggerating a bit) push ups to plans and back. She definitely deserved the inaugural award, but choosing a mom for July was a little more difficult. It needed to me someone who went the extra mile in her workouts and who was willing to try new exercises and get out of her comfort zone.

After much thought I new who it was. A mom who when we met her was not shy but a bit cautious and who spent time getting comfortable in the group but took a risk by getting out with people she did not know for the benefit of her son. I have watched them both blossom and come out of there shells. She has been come a leader in the class and someone who makes new moms as welcome to the group as we made her feel. She is a great mom and has just started participating in Mommymuscle Sculpt which I know will help her to achieve her goals even faster.

The winner of August's Member of the Month is Jesy Payne!!

Jesy deserves this award for all her hard work and for working hard everyday to be healthy and teach her son Christopher to be healthy and how important exercise is.

Keep up the great work Jesy!

Check out her member of the month information at http://www.strollerfit.com/BlackstoneValley

Bring Dad to StrollerFit at Pop's Popcorn

Today was another busy day. It poured during StrolleRFit this AM so class was inside, of course it stopped and the sun came out as class ended.

I then taught at BU before coming home for another special StrollerFit class at Pop's Popcorn. It was very hot and muggy so we did an easy workout and the kids enjoyed the ice cream, popcorn and other stuff.

We loved that Kerri's hubby Bryan showed up. and yes the moms enjoyed the parents day celebration with prizes and the ice cream too. I love this picture of almost all the kids that were there on the swing. We have such a good time at Pop's I think, know I know we will do it again.

What a day

Today we had a large class at StrollerFit with 3 new moms and I feel really good about them joining. One is coming tomorrow to Try Mom n' Tot Yoga and Mommymuscle Sculpt. I also had 2 new moms join yesterday, My summer promo with a free gift is working well, thanks Diane for the great idea! It was a hot and humid day but we still got in a great workout!

Then a group of the StrollerFit moms went on a picnic at the lake and we swam. Joey loves the water. Julianna went in after a nap in her tent with Bryce. She was happy, Bryce not so much, thus is life, but he warmed up to it, unlike Christopher who screamed, we will work on him.

Then we picked up daddy and went to Mimi and Grumpy's to swim in there pool. I left them and went to teach a swim lesson and then we ended the day at Kimballs Farm where I had an ice cream sundae for dinner, and it was GREAT!

They have a new animal exhibit and they bring the animals out including a wallaby (which Joey loved). I am thinking of doing a StrollerFit event there.

What a great day. We are planning a StrollerFriends BBQ at the beach on Friday. It is such a great spot, maybe we will even do class on the trails there before hand.

What a Great Day!

Today we did StrollerFit at Southwick Zoo, Joey's loves monday's at the Zoo because he gets to see Molly the baby giraffe. It was humid but there was a great breeze and we had a great workout. We had a new mom come and try class, she joined and is bringing a friend tomorrow. She works at the local pediatricians office so maybe her word of mouth will drum up even more business.

Then I took the kids to a local lake with a playground and a beach. There was not a lot of people and we had a blast. We will definately do it again. Now I am getting ready for Strollerfit tonight at Louisa Lake.

Parents Day

I just read an article about Parent's Day. A holiday I did not know occurred the 4th Sunday of July, this year it is Sunday, July 26. I am not planning on celebrating at home, but thought it would be something nice to celebrate with the StrollerFit families.

So on Tuesday, July 28 after class, weather permitting I have planned a Pot Luck Picnic at Purgatory Chasm Park with a raffle prize. I thought this would be a nice way to celebrate the great parents we know. We also have a Special Bring Dad's to StrollerFit event scheduled for Thursday, July 30 so we are going to have a nother raffle after class and have some great ice cream to celebrate the great StrollerFit parents.

I hope to see lots of Moms on Tuesday and Lots of Families on Thursday to celebrate All The Great Parents we know, even if they do not come to class first.

Blueberry and Black Raspberry Picking

Today ,many of the StrollerFit families went Blueberry picking after Mommymuscle Sculpt and Mom n' Tot Yoga. We had 2 dads that did class again and were apart of the group, it was great to see the dads out with the kids.

We had a ball. I paid for 2 quarts of Berries - $5 what a bargain, seeing as Joey and the other kids probably each ate a quart on there own.

It was fun and we are doing it again with friends after a picnic next Monday.

Amazing things

To My StrollerFit Moms,

Where does the time go. This time last year, Joey new Puppy and every animal was a puppy, to the point, he and Nate would go back and forth with Joey saying Puppy and Nate correcting him. Now he knows all the animals and there sounds and to count and so many other words. I just found out I was pregnant with Julianna and now she is 5 months old and already moving, and jumping and babbling.

So I ask where does the time go, what happened to my babies, when did they all get so big. I remember meeting Danielle, and Casey and Joey were in baby carriers and now they are off and running, or when we all met Drea and Jayce and he was a baby, now he is a toddler who is moving and talking but he still is a great cuddler, no more baby fix from him, now it is from all the new babies at Strollerfit - Julianna, Olivia, Jayden, Bryce, Jake and many more.

I remember the first time Joey crawled over to Mason and tried to get him to follow and now they are running and rolling down the hills.

I remember doing StrollerFit at the Church and Nate was learning to climb the stairs and 4 months later he taught Joey, now the run the stairs, again I ask where has the time gone, before we know it, they will be in Kindergarten, then graduating High School and going to college. We need to remember to cherish the little moments because it goes by so quickly.

The last few days

Saturday it was hot and Humid. We started the day with Restore the core and then went out for breakfast at the Valley cafe. we love it there. Then we went to Old Sturbridge Village where Joey saw and played with the antique fire trucks and he showed Aunt Cheri the bank and the money. We also saw Nate, Charlotte, Olivia, Scott, Emily and Cose (Carlos and Jose).

It was a lot of fun and we saw them make ice cream. we tasted Parmesan and Berry Ice Cream. I was quite surprised, the Parmesan was good, not too cheesy. Then we went to the pool at Mimi Linda's, Julianna fell asleep on the armed raft in the shady at the pool, it was too cute.

Sunday was not so humid and we walked 45 minutes up the big hill to the Pool at Mimi Linda's (45 minutes up hill) swam and then walked 30 minutes down hill. IT was a great day and Joey played with Gavin and Liam. Then he picked lettuce and yellow squash from Pa Steve's Garden. We used the lettuce to make a giant salad and grilled the yellow squash. It was a great dinner.

Monday we went to the Zoo with StrollerFit and then had a play date with Drea and Jayce. we had a great workout and the kids enjoyed the animals. It was a great 3 summer days til the rain on Tuesday, but it is suppose to be nice today and we are off to Blueberry pick after Mom n' Tot Yoga and Mommymuscle Sculpt.

Friendship

Friendships Change is what someone said yesterday. Is it because we change, life changes or another factor?

This is something I ponder. Over the last year and a half running my own StrollerFit Franchise I have met many moms and made many great friendships. Some of them have left as clients but I continue to believe that just because they no longer come to StrollerFit, the friendships I have made and my children have made are more then there being a part of StrollerFit. I guess only time will tell.

Mystic Aquarium and Strollerfit at Pop's Popcorn

Today was a busy day.

The StrollerFit families met at 9 AM today and caravaned to Mystic CT, and went to the Mystic Aquarium. We had a great time and saw the Beluga Whales, Penguin, Shark, Fish, and the Seal & Sea Lion Show. We had a picnic lunch and it was a fantastic day. I am glad the rain held out and it was muggy but did not rain.

Then we got home, took a quick nap and went off to Pop's Popcorn for a StrollerFit Class. We had a great workout and Joey and Scott and the others had a great dinner. Scott got a call for OT, so he went home for a nap. We left Pop's earlier than planned, but it was so much fun I have scheduled another class to be held there. Then I took the kids to meet Judy and Marybeth from SF central for dinner and to get some equipment. Joey danced and did squats for them in the restaurant and then went to sleep without a fight. He was exhausted.

It was a great day and it started to rain at 9:30, I am so glad the rain held out and I hope it is not raining in the am, so we can get a run in.

tough workout

This weekend was Addie's 2nd Birthday Party and then Joey's. I made a lot of low cal dishes that were a hit and the cookie cake I made with the Train on it was gone so I had not left overs of the cake to eat, but still I ate too much. So Yesterday, I ran with the kids, then taught too Strollerfit classes and since many of the moms had been at Joey's Party, we worked really hard and will do so again today.

The party was a lot of fun. we had the swing set, the kiddie pool, other toys and good times with great friends. Joey spent most of the day in the pool, glad it was sunny and Julianna got rocked to sleep by my Aunt MaryEllen and then napped for 4 hours. I expected her to be awake all night, but no, she ate dinner took her bath was out by 8PM and slept til 6:30 AM.

Joey played til he could play no more, it was a quick bath, 1/2 a book and he was asleep til 1 AM where he called my name, I went to check on him and he said "Mommy sleep with me" so I grabbed a pillow and a blanket and slept on his floor til he was a sleep again (did the same thing last night)=, but he was back a sleep in 5 minutes with no fuss and I did not have him in my bed, then I went back to sleep and he slept til 7:30, he was exhausted.

Overall it was a great weekend. But the ladies have been warned, we will be working hard this week.

Joey turns two...

Wednesday, Joey fought and cried for over an hour but he slept in his bed all night!!!

Thursday he woke up and said "Happy Birthday Mommy" (we had been practicing saying happy birthday and 2 for a few weeks). I said "its not mommy's birthday, its Joey's and he is?" He replied "2, Oh Happy Birthday Joey"

It was a great day. He went out with Daddy in thew morning. Then we had lunch with Pam, Kyle, Ryan and Evan and our other friend Evan, who Joey played with all afternoon. Then since Joey and Evan were good we went for ice cream at Friendly's. Joey already knows my rules so he says "Walk Friendly's" and that is exactly what we did. The rule is if you want Friendly's or Captain's Cove ice cream you have to walk there. Joey shared his ice cream with Julianna, allowing me to give her spoonfuls of whip cream and vanilla ice cream. Then we got balloons, which he loved. Evan deflated his and made sounds with the balloon, which Joey loved and laughed his infectious laugh the whole walk home.

Then Auntie Leasa came for dinner and we had ice cream cake for Joey and Dave's (Dave, Melanie and Jayden came for dessert) birthdays. I tried to get Joey to say happy birthday to Dave but he wouldn't. Then the neighbors came over for the rest of my homemade ice cream cake which was my plan, see no left overs.... It tasted good but did not look like the one on the cover of my food network magazine. I also told Robyn and Melanie that the cake was the key to an extra hard workout at StrollerFit Friday. I am also hoping to get a run in, since it is not suppose to rain.

Auntie Leasa needs to come every night. She bathed Joey and Julianna. Then she read to them and Joey went to bed in his bed with no fuss!!!!! At 4 am, Joey woke up crying and I went to him. He is back a sleep and I hope he sleeps til morning.

What a day...

We slept a little late on Tuesday and then stayed in bed to watch GMA. I was exhausted after the battle with Joey over sleep but looked forward to a nice day without rain. I heard thunder around 7:45 AM and it began to rain, but it did not rain for long, so I hoped it was a passing shower and then it would be over. We were suppose to start running again and begin the 10K training. We had not run in weeks due to to the rain (27 out of 30 days in June).

Jen and Brian showed up and Robyn came over (her kids were still asleep at 8:30 AM) and off we went. Joey asked for KayKay and I told him maybe later. We were about 1/2 a mile in when it started to drizzle then the sky opened up on us, we stayed at the church under cover til it slowed down and we walked home. We had planned on heading for RBI's on foot but there was no time and the sky still was dark gray.

We loaded the kids into the cars and off to StrollerFit we went. Good thing we did not go on foot because the sky opened up on us again. We did class indoors, and it was a great workout. Julianna and Emily had lots of boys to choose from. It is so weird, because last year it was Joey and lots of girls, currently it is lots of boys.

After class we headed to Hannaford's where Joey got to drive the car cart and I found some of the Seapak products. I used my coupons for Seapak shrimp (Joey loves shrimp) and other coupons and when I was done I bought $48 worth of groceries for $16. I am really challenging myself to use coupons and save. I do well sometimes, other times I don't, but I was excited about how well I did then.

I went home made a spinach and mushroom pasta bake for lunch and then Joey took a nap with no fuss in his big boy bed. I was hopeful that bed time would be so easy....

We did dinner and bath time a bit early, so Joey could watch some Thomas and read books with Scott and I in our bed. Julianna had her dinner, cereal and green beans and she was asleep by 6:30, which was early. At 7 we took Joey into his room and did more books and then he screamed "I don't want it, I fine" when we tried to get him to bed. I gave him my blanket which kept him in bed for 10 minutes. I tried laying with him, when I thought he was asleep I left and in a few minutes he was standing in my room. Scott came up to help and Joey had a fit. SO I told him he had 3 choices; his bed, his crib or the floor. He choose to sleep on the floor next to my bed. I kept hearing him sniffle, it was heart breaking to listen to, but finally stopped. at 10 PM when I was sure he was asleep, I picked him up and put him in his bed. He has been there all night. Julianna did not wake to eat until 3:45 AM, she slept for over 9 hours.

I hope Wednesday after Mom n' Tot Yoga, MommymuscleSculpt and StrollerFit (if it does not rain at night) that Joey will choose to sleep in his bed without a fuss, but I have a feeling we are in for another battle, I guess we will have to wait and see.

I am looking forward to Mom n' Tot Yoga starting Wednesday.

Bedtime

So I just read about my girlfriends hotel stay and I felt for her. I have never had a problem with Joey in a hotel, he had his first hotel stay at 6 weeks in Los Angeles then at 3 months in San Francisco and then a few days later in Palm Springs. Since then he has been in hotels in Ohio (twice), Phili, and Cali again. Julianna's first visit to a hotel was at 3 1/2 months and she did great. SO I think to myself, I have little travelers and they travel well, but my problem is I am sleep deprived post travel. So my girl friend had issues of sleep in the hotel, mine are at home.

Last fall Joey wanted to sleep in the toddler bed and did for a few months. I was so excited, we would not need another crib, but we got home from a trip to Grandma and Papa's where he slept in the pac n' play, and all he wanted was his crib. Thank you Danielle and Bill for a crib for Julianna because Joey wanted to sleep in his crib when I was ready to put Julianna in a crib.

Fast forward to the last 3 days. Joey slept in the pac n' play in Phili 3 weeks ago and in Vegas/Disney. When we got home he napped just fine and slept in his crib for 2 days. On Friday he was woken by the fireworks, and I found him hanging over the side of the crib screaming for me and saying "Mommy help me." To console him, he came to bed with me, once he was asleep, I put him in his crib. the following night, he would not go in the crib and went to bed with me, and then once a sleep I moved him to the crib. Last night he climbed out of the crib and asked for bed. So I got the toddler bed out of the attic, but I was wrong, he wanted my bad. After a hour long battle I gave in and he came to m y bed, once he was asleep I put him in the toddler bed. 20 minutes later he was climbing in my bed again. We repeated this 5 times, so I did not get much sleep, plus while he was in the bed he either had his head or feet in my back so it was not comfy at all.

HE napped in his crib for 3 hours today and I tried to nap while Julianna cat napped (she is not a napper like he was/is). Anyway, tonight Scott was home so he battled with Joey, who finally went to bed with the lights off in the crib after almost 2 hours
(first he was in the crib, then his bed, then his bed after trying to get in my bed, now he is asleep-knock on wood, with the light on in his crib). here's hoping he sleeps all night, I am tired!!!

I am off to bed, hoping to sleep and be able to get rest because tomorrow the ladies start running again, training for the Tufts 10k, before I have to teach StrollerFit.

Getting back to the routine

Tomorrow I Begin teaching 6 StrollerFit, 1 Restore the core, 1 Mom n' Tot Yoga and 1 Mommymuscle class a week. I also will begin running 3-4 mornings a week and I can not wait to get back to my routine. Between my Red Cross Teaching and my 5 day trip, life has been crazy for the last 7 weeks. I have loved every minute of it but it will be great to be back at my classes with the StrollerFit moms and have myself and the kids on some sort of routine.

Joey had a blast at Disney and with Grandma and Papa and I know he will miss them, but he is excited to see his friends. We shall see how the moms like the new moves I have learned and the torture I am going to afflict on them. Hope to see everyone in class real soon!