Small Talk Six: Time to Relax

Over at Small Talk Six, today’s topic is “6 things you do, used to do, or would like to do to relax.” You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc...

I can say, first of all, it's been a long time since I've really gotten a chance to relax, but when I had time for it...

1. I loved a nice hot bubble bath (without people banging on the door, yelling through it, or barging in to add toys to my water).

2. I loved to read. Anything and everything. Give me a good book and I was content until the last page.

3. I would snowboard. Something about being out in the mountains by yourself is so relaxing.

4. I loved to drive. Just to drive. I would pick a direction and just go.

5. I used to write poetry. It was an easy way to get all my thoughts out and put my mind at ease. I only wrote for myself, and that was all that mattered.

6. Before having my little one, I would nap for hours out in a hammock. So peaceful.

Even though I can say I don't get a lot of time to rest or relax anymore, I still wouldn't change it for anything.

Want to join in? Go here to learn how and to view the weekly list Small Talk Six topics for 2009.

YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD Review

For Christmas this past year, my little one received a yoga mat and instruction book. He was ecstatic, and I was impressed that he was more excited about trying out poses than playing with the new toys he opened.

Over the past few months, we've tried various books and DVDs, but none of them captured his attention or were even really geared towards his age range.

I recently had the chance to share the YogaBuddies Bedtime Stories DVD with him. The DVD contains 3 stories and 42 yoga poses. The poses are intertwined with the bedtime stories and are designed to help children relax and calm down before bed.YogaBuddies was founded by Danay DiVirgilio, who has worked as a behavorial therapist to children with Autism and as a leader of a business leadership program for teens. YogaBuddies has provided yoga instruction to 3000+ school-aged children in over 45 schools and organizations.
My 4-year-old was captured by the stories. He easily followed the poses the children on the DVD were doing. I loved that there were children showing the poses, as it gave him more confidence to try them. With other DVDs he constantly asked if he was doing "the moves" right, but with YogaBuddies, he just followed what he saw.

The DVD also succeeded in calming him down before bed. With summer, our routine is not nearly as strict, but we will definitely be watching the Bedtimes Stories DVD more often during the school year. Hopefully it will continue to calm my little one and help him get a good night's sleep.

Who needs to relax?

Me, me, me! I can't remember the last time I was able to have twenty minutes to myself to take a nice bath. I barely get a shower in without an interruption for some important question. What time is Blue over? Where's my Spiderman car? When's lunch? Is it okay if I jump on the bed?

I guess this is what happens to us as moms. We forget how important it is to take a few minutes to ourselves. The last time I tried to take a bath ended in disaster. First, the shower rod fell on my head as I leaned down to turn on the faucet. Within two minutes of crawling into the bubbles, I could hear little footsteps outside the door. GM comes in and plops himself on the tub ledge, to "tell me some stories." Then he proceeds to drop bath toy after bath toy into my water. All the while, leaving the door hang open, allowing the air conditioner to blow in full force.

Needless to say, I could use some time to relax and rejuvenate. MomDot has got the perfect thing. They have two giveaways going at the moment, all about pampering mom.

You can find the first here. It includes a set of moisture gloves and moisture slippers from The Happy Company and a set of shampoo and conditioner from David Babaii. There's two sets being given away to two lucky winners. Ends 10/01/08.

The second giveaway can be found here. The winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to Beyond the Bomb, who offers an amazing line of bath bombs, including some super cute ones for kids. I need to order the sidewalk chalk bombs for little GM, they look so fun. Ends 10/01/08.

So if you need pampering as much as I do, head on over to MomDot.