China Seas and Rooibos Tea!

Tonight I prepped some yummy french-pressed

rooibos tea for the hubby and I.

It was a such a treat!

I combined the tea with frothed almond milk and cinnamon.

The wallpaper in the background is a sample from China Seas.

Plan is to wallpaper a section of my kitchen.

Check back for the transformation! ooh la la!

Adventures on the horizon...

Yesterday, I was surprised by my mom with a vacation to Hawaii with her, my sister and niece. What excitement! It was even more eventful when I called my sister last night to surprise her with the news. I can't wait to see my sister!! We'll hike, kayak and swim together!
The trip to Hawaii from the east coast will be a long one with a 4 yr old. However, I am not too worried as Henry has had quite a few long flights under his belt. I'll be sure to equip our carry-on with snacks, new books, coloring books, new ipod shows, and some games. I'm looking forward to this as I've never been to Hawaii, but have always wanted to go.
Henry and I will hop on the plane next Thursday, the 21st to San Diego to meet up with my mom, my sister and her daughter Norah. We'll then all head together to Kona the following day.
My mom and sis rented a townhouse on the west coast of Kona Island at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. I am looking forward to this vacation getaway with 'the girls' and Henry. Will be sure to take some pics and update these adventures that lie ahead.

Today involved yet another adventure, of a slightly different nature, but one that I have been pining for, acupuncture. It been a long time coming! When I lived in San Diego I had regular acupuncture visits. It grounded me, it prepped me for childbirth, it kept my body in-tune. DC living can be stressful, busy and full of life, especially while working, being a mom and wife. Keeping in balance in DC is extra difficult to do. I realize now after having been gone some 11 yrs, that most people living here are not that in-tune with nourishing their bodies. So in conjunction with my yoga study, I've started a self adventure with acupuncture. I'm building my community of holistic go-to healers! Taking the time to taking care of me!

Week off

Downdog-self study

Today marks one week since the end of my first segment of the year long yoga teacher training with Shannon von Burns. I have been on the mat only briefly this week as I feel like my body needed some rest as well as time to mentally take in all that we experienced. I've started on some of the workbook exercises as well as study questions on Ayurveda. Currently I am reading a book called Prakriti by Dr. Svoboda, which is all about Ayurveda and how to better understand the three dosha's (vata, pitta and Kapha) that make up your Prakriti (nature). It is extremely interesting and it is amazingly spot on. More on my personal dosha's later as that will be a post within itself.
One of the most interesting aspects of this training, is that it definitely is a journey to better understand ourselves as yoga individuals before we start to delve into understanding others peoples bodies and personalities. This practice of yoga self study (our bodies and behaviors) will be giving us the tools to better understand others in their yoga process.
This self study is quite extensive and will definitely open windows that I have neglected to look through. I look forward to the adventure!!

Namaste!

This past week has been incredibly transformative for me! I enjoyed an entire week of yoga teacher training in Hatha Vinyasa. It has been both energizing and exhausting!
I am blessed with the opportunity to train with one of the most impressive yoga teachers out there, Shannon von Burns, who has been teaching Yoga for over 10 years. She comes with a huge background not just in yoga, but Ayurveda and massage therapy to name a few. This past week marked the start to her year long teacher training course called The Journey Home.

This training will be opening my eyes to the skill of teaching by asking us to look, listen, understand, ask, follow through, accountability and looking from within. Methodically. Throughout this week, I've done a lot of listening. I've opened my eyes, ears, mind and heart to Shannon and also have done meditation which has helped me to look into myself to understand my weaknesses as well as my strengths and how to even all these parts of me out.

There are things during this week that I realize I need to work on: stop-completely to listen to others fully, respect time (others as well as my own) and to take better care of myself. There is a lot for me to work on both on and off the mat, but this week has given me the fresh start, the rebirth so to speak, the SPRING!

Bat Days

We are now experiencing the life of superhero's in our household. From Spiderman to Batman (toy manufacturers have a superb was of marketing to kids as we have never watched these these shows) and even to the likes of Word Girl (this tv program we do watch). We are players in this make believe world. It is a daily ritual to put on capes and become one of our favored invincible hero's.

The make-believe stories change and evolve, the imagination of a child is greater than any tangible source (tv, books etc). Don't get me wrong we love to read and we love a handful of kid tv programs and it is these vehicles as well as other informational tools, like storytelling (we like to make-up as we go) that help bring a child's imagination rolling along.
Delving into Henry's stories, the ones that he concocts from his 'magination,' are incredibly voyeuristic! I love playing along to be apart of the epic.

Batman

Batman

Spiderman

Pickle glasses

Bring on the blogging

It's been a sabbatical from the blogging world. Welcome back.

Here's to the adventures that lie ahead!

California Days

We had the pleasure of taking a quick trip to San Diego for some R&R/beach time. Hen could not contain himself for the following reasons:
Plane trip
Cousin Norah
San Diego
Beach
Niceh (Nees-ey)
Cousin Norah

For a little tyke, Henry has an incredible memory. Of course he remembers his cousin, but he manages to make the San Diego/beach connection. Well he should as he is a California baby (by birth right-ha ha. He truly IS a beach baby).
Any who, we had a wonderful time. As soon as our tickets were booked I called my acupuncturist Carrie, to get me in for 2 sessions that week. Boy do I need my acupuncture. I so miss it and I haven't gone the extra mile to find someone here in DC. I must admit I do get stuck in the rat race/pace in DC (mental note..don't DO that).
As soon as my body hit that table and the first needle went in, I was relieved. I mean completely relieved. It was pure. It was relaxing and I could breath. All buzzing completely left my body and all my natural rhythms could sync. My body was home.
Having had my acupuncture visits I found that my ability to cope with a roving 3 year was so much EASIER and stable. Wow, what a concept.
After I received my first TREATment at the acupuncturist that Friday, I managed to go with my mom to get a much needed pedicure followed by some shopping.
During my 'free' afternoon of replenishing, Henry had the opportunity to spend time with his old nanny Eunice (aka Niceh) and her son Joshua. It was such a momentous occasion for Hen and I was delighted by his affection towards her. When she arrived that Friday morning, Hen completely shot out like an arrow to throw his arms around her. He was so happy to see her. He also was happy to see Joshua. Their day was filled with playing at park, visiting with her family in Chula Vista and scooters.

Henry with Niceh, Joshua and Norah



During our first visit back to the beach, we anticipated a quick visit to the tide pools in La Jolla (one of my most favorite areas, small beach in the windnsea area of La Jolla). This turned into a 2 hour visit with all clothes off except his skivvies (underwear). He loooovved the water. Loved loved loved it! Wow! This kid has no fear. I don't think he has a full understanding that he can't swim all that well.

Heading for the sea


Norah and Hen playing in the sand


Tidal pool where they find miniature crab


After running in and out from the waves, collecting shells and digging in the sand, we finally rounded up the kids and headed back home to my sisters house.
During that week, the days were full of activity, but I found some much needed relief. I enjoyed walks to the park, the cool crisp breeze, the flowers and the good food!

Hen and I

The child turns 3 and now it's time for Skis!!

With all this fabulous snow we have had here in the metropolitan area, we took it upon ourselves to take our lil man Hen to the skis slopes. Skiing in the east coast is nothing quite like skiing in the west, but I figure, if you can ski in the east (with all that crap ice) then you definitely can manage the snow in the west (give or take the altitude along with some of those black diamonds). Any way, as far as a 3 year old is concerned this is IT!
We took Henry on Presidents weekend (the Monday) to White Tail. It is a local spot about an hour a half from DC. It is right at the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. After mentioning it a few times leading up to the big day, Henry was anticipating a new adventure. Sure he knew he was going skiing however, I am not so sure he knew what to expect....the Olympics were on so he had an idea...:)

We decided it was best to get a private instructor who would take Henry out along with the mama and the dada. To initially guide Henry to life on skis but then to also give us the tools to further support him on the slopes. It was FUN!




Henry had a knack for them from the start. With some pretty stellar balance, he managed so well. We started at the lessons slope (the area that is sectioned off for ski school). Phil our instructor, aka Dr Phil, started by taking off one of Henry's skis. Henry at that moment, laid it out to Phil and said, "No, I don't want to ski with one ski, but I want both skis on." Hmm, ok, guess there is no need for the teacher to go over with balance with a child who is not having any true signs of difficulty balancing on the skis. Next skill, Ski walk ski walk ski (one foot in ski the other walking). Ok Henry was going to have NOTHING to do with that, He wanted to ski down the mountain. Point blank he told Phil, "I want to go up on that machine (the chair lift) to the TOP of the mountain and then ski down REALLY fast."



FInally, Phil agreed, we'd go on the chair lift to the top of the mountain and ski down. As our chair lift was a two seater, Phil took Henry up with him, Dean and I followed. Henry LOVED the chair lift, I think it may be one of his favorite parts, the disembarking part and skiing down the ramp (that happened to be the most fearful part for me as a kid, as I was one of those who signaled to the chair lift operator to slow the lift down so I could get off as a little lightie (young one for those who don't speak South African slang).




As Henry and Phil rode up the lift together, Phil explained the ski concepts. "French Fries" aka parallel skis. This was to help Henry not only off the lift but also when it came to skiing down the mountain. He explained that 3 year olds don't comprehend pizza slice (snow plow) to stop, so he doesn't teach it. He teaches these little lighties to either ski to you into your arms and to hockey stop (parallel skis). Very interesting.





Needless to say, Henry maybe only managed to hockey stop 2 or 3 times the whole day (and most likely without realizing that that was what he was doing). All in all, he rocked. My baby was actually skiing. He flat out was doing it and on his own. He kept saying, "I want to go fast. I want to go really fast!" On occasion he aimed for the trees which at times kept me on my heels. It was these moments that I realized he like to ski to the left and not so much to the right (just like his mama). In the same way that I can ice skate better on my left foot than my right and that I skate better on my outside edges then I do on my inside edges. Hmm.
Any who, we continued the day in utter fantasy land. We were all having a blast and it was FUN! We were all having SO MUCH FUN! I loved watching Henry take on the challenge and enjoy it with all his little being.

In the course of a few weeks we have been twice and I hope that we can get in one more ski before the year is up! The second go around was as much fun and this time Henry was starting to figure out that he could jump by bending down into a squat and then picking up his feet, he thought that was utter fun!
Oh the triumphs of a 3 year old!! I am so so proud of him.