mommy's work (out)...

On Tuesdays & Thursdays I teach a Zumba-like class at the Y. We call it "Latin dance" so that our little Y won't be sued for my not having a Zumba certification. For those of you who have asked what Zumba is, here's a cute news story about it. I'll try to post some of my dances sometime. We usually dance in the gym, but since it has been so darn hot, we moved to the Studio last week & it was much cooler! I also loved having the mirrors so I could see all of us dancing together. Everyone looked so great doing the "older" dances (the ones we've been doing for a month...so everyone knows them). I really enjoy teaching this class & it's an extra workout to yell-think-count-clap as well as dance in front of 30 people! :)
On Wednesdays & Fridays I teach a pilates class, which I use as more of a yoga-pilates-with some ballet class. :) I love it even more. The options for things to do in there are endless. Here's a video (or a few videos....depending on how this posts) of some things we do. And another...of one of my fav moves for balance. I also like to bring elbow to knee at belly & finish with some balance work by rotating arm-leg out even with shoulder-hip during this one. (watch it, you'll see.) I'll have to post some of those classes, too. I am a huge believer in this kind of "exercise" for everything from post-baby recovery to spine alignment to balance...you name it. Go forth and move it, my friends! The more I do the better I feel...honestly.

language explosion....

and so it begins...
Little L. "exploded" with language around 15 months & it seems that sister is doing the same. During the past 48 hours or so she has said, "Boo!," 'Ray!" (for Hooray!), Hans (Hands), Ah Gan (All Gone), & a friend of mine who kept her for about an hour said that she told her little girl, "No, Zora." (meaning, "I will not share this item; it's for Zora." Sorry, sweet Darah! :)
She also started saying, "Ah no!" (Oh no!) in place of "Uh oh!" sometimes. (Although both usually mean she's thrown something down or made a mess...which means "ah no" for me. :)
But, she is really getting to be so much fun! She is a busy walking, climbing gal, but she does sit still for books or play (or a few seconds of a baby show) & currently tries to repeat most everything I say! (Hey, girl, that's a lot to keep up with...ha, ha!)This top pic is Z. chewing on a piece of beet green from our co-op garden. The bottom is her day of sandbox & worms. :)

six years ago today...

...my dad walked me down the Borthwick castle steps to the tune of a bagpipe playing. There, in the little garden, I met a handsome man wearing a kilt. (And I married him, skirt & all...just kidding, honey!) Happy six years, my dear. We've many more adventures to come, I'm certain. :) Love you.

Peaze!

I should do a quick "catch up" for Z. at 14 months...
9 teeth (2 molars with #10...the other bottom front...on its way)
signs: baby, more, eat, eyes,...
says: mama, dada, peaze (please), tease (cheese), woof-woof (dog), moo (cow), ah-ah (monkey), ice (eyes), Ow! (ouch), sue (shoe), NO! (mainly to L, who says it to her a LOT or to us when she touches something she know is a "no-no"), ...and this morning "baaat" (bad) to L, who says this to her sometimes. (I've talked to him about not saying this bc he uses it in a phrase such as, "don't do that! that's bad! bad girl!" When I said, "where did you hear that? we don't say that." He replied, "Some people say that to dogs!" Ah, yes. What an arguement, L. Let's treat the baby like "someone's dog." Not in our family, buddy.)
Big lady is in a 2T or 3T & about a 5ish shoe (when she wears shoes she wears the largest infant size in pedipeds, so it's difficult to determine a "size").
She is still in love with: big brother, trying to get dressed, falling asleep on daddy, nursing momomy, climbing all things, salty, cheezy snacks, sweet fruit, plain yogurt, L's sippy (even when theirs are alike), L's room (bc she can eat so many crayons there!), anything outdoors, dogs & most other animals, swings, sandboxes, and now swimming or splashing in water.
I'm sure I left out something, but there (esp. for the grandparents) is a little about Zora Gwendolyn at 14 months. :)

Zora's great feet

I couldn't resist the fun pun in the title. :) Finally, the long awaited footage of the smallest key in motion. Look out, all breakables in the grandparents homes! Z. began walking less than a week ago & yesterday she tried out running! This resulted in a few face plants after being propelled forward (her toes didn't know what to do with all that speed).
All together now..."Bless her!" :) She's a fireball.

Juneteenth 2009

Langston & Amir last year...the scene was the same this year!

One year ago at Juneteenth...
and this year at Juneteenth.


We attended this year's Juneteenth celebration. Lots of fun was had by all. The two Zos (Zoe & Zora took a walk together...isn't that cute, Emily?!) We hung out with friends we hadn't seen in a while & Langston, Amir, & friends took the inflatables by storm. :)
for those of you asking, "what is Juneteenth?" here's the explaination from Juneteenth.com

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19^th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

it's official...

Zora walks. Footage coming soon, grandparents!