To Zumba or not to Zumba...this should never be a question!

(Above: At a 3 hour Zumbathon with Kristi Zumba...notice everyone having a blast!)

OK...so my family & close friends (& my FB followers) know I LOVE Zumba. I try and tell everyone I know to go and try it, I have definitely taken over 15 friends to a zumba class somewhere. Last year, I tried my hardest never to miss a class...3 times a week. This year seems harder than ever to stick to an evening schedule since the kids (& myself are involved with more things in the evening during the school year).

Ok...so I will go on a little about Zumba. Zumba in my own words is a "dance~party~workout". Latin, Indian, African dance & music all sort of fused into one workout. Now...I am no zumba expert, and I could probably just go google in a new window how to correctly define Zumba, but this is my blog post, and I should explain it as I see...feel(?) it. It is beyond fun...if done right (by the instructor, not you!) I will explain....

Last January, my neighbor explained that she started taking this zumba class (after I mentioned that she looked great, and she replied she had lost 15 pounds doing zumba). She asked me to come to a class with her. The following week, I tried my first Zumba class with Ida Ferraro http://www.zumba.com/profiles/5406 . I came home on this instant high...Oh my, it was a great workout and it just felt like this great party I had come home from. I didn't know any of the steps, but Ida is great at keeping her routine fluid and repetitive, so you knew what to expect throughout the songs. Her mix of song choices were fun, and her smiles while instructing were contagious. Anyway, I was hooked immediately and started going 3 times a week. Little did I know, that I struck gold finding an awesome instructor.

An old friend, Kristi www.zumba.com/profiles/68739 started teaching Zumba and told me about all that she benefited from both doing zumba, then becoming an instructor. The way it changed her body and also her mind. She is also a mother of 4 (but all 4 boys!) and having 4 kids (no matter what all those people say "once you have 3; there's no difference" (BS)) is alot of hard work...and exhausting...and draining! I am sure teaching Zumba for her must add that extra thrill just knowing that she is leaving her students feeling awesome after a workout.

Kristi invited me (& I brought some friends) to one of her new location classes. It was great...Let me tell you...a real workout. That was a year ago...And although she was good...she was still new (& maybe nervous?...Kristi...hope this is all ok) Anyway, took her class again recently, and then also was able to participate in one of her 3 hour Zumbathons. She is beyond an amazing instructor now. I felt like I was in a few dance videos when taking her classes. The choreography is amazing, fun, energetic...and sometimes really sexy! She has great energy when teaching and it is really inspiring! Now...I am not just saying this because we have known each other since 2nd grade, swear...we only reconnected a few years ago.

So far...my ranks are as follows: Kristi #1, Ida #2 (then as you read on, Bobbiann is #3)

I have taken (tried) Zumba classes with 7 different instructors, just trying new locations, or going with friends or just trying to change up the workout a bit. One instructor, did basically just African music, which was beautiful to listen to, but alot of really hard jumping and squatting and, it got boring after the 4th or 5th song. I would have loved a little "bollywood" and especially some latin music. ok...tried, dismissed. Another instructor who I swear was on something...I mean, She could not even follow her own lead. Not one of the 11 of us in the class could follow a single routine. Tried, dismissed. Another, had her own interpretation altogether. Tried, dismissed. Another does not wear Zumba clothes...I know petty, right? But Zumba wear is really awesome...and as soon as my A$$ is a little smaller, I am ordering me an outfit! LOL. OK, so she wore instead, really short running shorts that showed off her butt cheeks...at least they were not hideous looking(TMI?) and every time she bent forward which she liked to do alot, we all saw it all! She could be a really good pole dancing class instructor! The room in which she taught was hot with no air circulation and the floors would get sweaty and slippery 20 minutes into the routine. Her routines were easy to follow and you did get a workout (well at least you did sweat like you did, but that just could have been the warm room), but again, music choices were poor and I did not feel the Zumba love. Another is BobbiAnne http://zumbawithbobbiann.biz/...my 3rd fav. she is really sweet, my girls & I have even taken Zumbatomic (kids zumba)with her. Her routines are fun and everyone in her classes seem to have a really good time. Her music choices are great and she has a little of everything in each class. I have taken classes with her when my schedules allow, or where I have missed my days with Ida. (ps...I do not take Kristi's classes regularly since she teaches on the N Shore of LI, I am on the S Shore.)

Now...(finally)Reason for this post? The gym in Ronkonkoma where I would take Ida's classes closed down about 2 weeks ago. I now have no Ida in any convenient locations for me to take her classes :(

I joined a gym nearby with a friend and am taking all sorts of classes there. I was super excited to see that they had Zumba 3 times a week...Yahoo...right? Nope...it was another weird class. Or so I think. I believe I have just been spoiled by taking classes with Ida & Kristi that I now compare everyone to them.

This new instructor sings along with the music (way to loudly with no American Idol Voice), her choreography does not seem to flow smoothly from one move to another. I went again today to try again (Took it 2 days ago at night). The morning class today was so much better than the other night; she only sang to one song and I will admit, it is a workout, everyone is sweaty at the end of her class. The classes are free, so I will continue to go...until I find Ida & Kristi classes near me and in my schedule).

Oh...and my blog post title "To Zumba or not to Zumba? Well...YES ZUMBA!!! Try it, go with a friend so you can giggle when you mess up (you will on your first day). But if you hate it, try another instructor...seems that so many have their own interpretation of Zumba, you just have to find the right instructor for you!!!! GOOOOO!!!! NOWWWW! Zumba!!!! And don't just do the videos, they are not the same as being in a class with all sorts of women...old, young, big, little...and never judgemental. Everyone there is there for the same reason...to have fun and not even realize you are burning off TONS of extra calories!!!! (& and share your zumba experiences here!!!)

Rock Climbing...

I tried rock climbing...& loved it! I was lucky enough to enjoy my first experience with my 2 sister-n-laws, Kerry & Aliza. This was Aliza's 2nd time and Kerry's 3rd time. The rock climbing was a great workout...and even better excuse to spend some quality time and laughs with these great ladies!
So...the first 2 times I climed, I was more concerned about everyone else, was I taking too long deciding on my next move, was my balleyer (your partner holding the rope at the bottom) getting tired or bored, was I was climbing to quickly for them to keep the rope tight, and even some silly thoughts of my "weight" while up there. By my third climb, after I had been a balleyer 4 times, I realized, it is a complete give & take relationship and if I was going to enjoy this workout (almost as much as I do my zumba workouts) then I needed to just get up there and only think about the climb and the thrill you get by climbing to the very tippy top! That worked.... I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT BY MY THIRD CLIMB!

Thans again K & A for a fun 3 hours of climbing, sweating and laughing!

And they are off....

This past weekend was a first where we were not completely booked from Friday night until Sunday night in what seems like forever. We actually had a few hours on Sunday where we could just get a few things done outdoors. Dave had to finish taking down the X-Mas decorations (yes...I know, but any warm, not snowy weekend day where weather would permit him to take them down...we were either not at home...or had something else to do). Ok...back to a few free hours ~ So Rachie & Chris spotted Dave & I out in the front yard; Dave taking down lights, me raking out my front gardens. Well...their thoughts were not at all on helping us with our much needed projects...they had thoughts of learning to ride thier bikes with no training wheels. Hard to say no when bike riding season is just weeks away...so we say yes for a little while...

Well....in minutes, Rachel had it! Within 20 minutes she was practicing her figure 8's!

Chris, can now ride straight the length of a few houses...a few more hours and he is totally there. Still a little fear holding him back from practicing his turns and getting too far from us.

Andrew, felt a little left out watching, so he learned to ride the radio flyer that was once Chris's and before that, was Rachels! He still needs a little help sterring as he only goes straight, but in a few weeks, I think we will actually be able to go around the block with him!

Where was Sarah?...indoors reading a new novel she got from the library... Still hope she can fall in love with bike riding like the rest of the family! LOL

PS...Dave finished putting the decorations away when it was time for me to head in and start dinner...but as far as my gardens..they will have to wait until I can sneak out there without any bike riding kids seeing me!

A nice week of vacation....well for the kids at least...LOL

So we headed to Naples, FL for a week vacation. Funny thing...Dave & I needed a vacation after we get back! LOL. Traveling with 4 kids...even if they travel as well as ours do...is well... just alot of work! We returned a little over a week ago...but I have just not had the time to catch up and blog about it!

So here, I will post a quick review (not in any special order) with some photos (thank goodness for i-phones to capture moments when a camera is not nearby!) All in all we had a great time...and sincerely thank Grandma & Papa for inviting us to visit Mr. Sun!!!

Spent a few days on the sand with waves, seashells, and lots & lots of happy smiles! They played and swam in the water, they played and built in the sand. They built mini-pools, trenches and pretended to drive rental boats that were parked on the sand.

We all took advantage of swimming in the pool, which we love doing all summer in our own pool, but swimming in March is just more fun! Chris had a great time "writing" his letters under water, Andy had fun kick, kick, kicking. Rachel & Sarah made a little friend one day & asked if he wanted to play Marco Polo with them. He said "sure, that's close to my name, Marcos! " The girls thought this was hilarious...hope this boy did not think they were making fun of his name! LOL

Spent a DAY playing miniture golf with the kids. Jungle themed, so they love the playing on the grounds. I say day becuase playing 18 holes with a family of 8 takes practically all day. Grandma got a hole in one on her 1st hole & then another 2 holes later!

Chris and Andy had their own way of holding thier clubs...def not golfers, but a baseball bat, they are definetely ready for!!!

All in all, is was fun (& exhausting) and the kids enjoyed it lots!

There were a few evening where we would just head down to the beach for a little while to soak it in! The kids were not in suits, but for some reason it did not seem to bother them to get all wet & salty in their clothes. Weird, right? LOL

The kids missed a week of school (after they enjoyed a week off for school winter break), but they did their homework , a few class assignments while there and also created vacation journals about their week. We also enjoyed much science... these creatures are just a few we encountered on our many nature walks...so sure they missed school, but they were definitely enriched and enlightened! Right?

We stayed with my in-laws for the week in a condo they rent for a few months. Many of the residents in the community are...well...seniors. So the activities and events hosted are very enjoyable . We were invited to a Mardi Gras party. The kids enjoyed cute party favors, a yummy BBQ, ice cream and even a band! I say kids, becuase although I enjoyed the company a few funny things happened to me!

Ready?: I shall not go into too much detail, so, in short, I had my hand slapped by one of the food volunteers, then I had an old gent advise Andrew to throw a 3 pound weight on my toes...while in flip-flops! :)

Some more misc days/events included:

Beautiful Sunsets & Skies!!! Catfish Fishing!!! Writing in the sand, deserts, lizard catching & tree exploring!!!

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The End!

Toddlers & Tiara's...ughhh

I loved reading a post on Shine (link below)

I mean...I have 2 absolutely beautiful (at least in my eyes) daughters who dream everyday of being that Selena Gomez & Miley Cyrus super star. They turn the radio on, stand in from of the mirror and pretend to be superstars! They beg to take acting or drama classes so they can get to Hollywood. I get it, every little girl wants to be that superstar!

BUT at what lengths so we go to actually make that happen. And what 3 year old knows about any of this without MOM making this decision for them. Maybe ages 10, 11 & 12 I can see a girl asking to try this and then she herself deciding if the work and "to-do's" she does before competing is worth the "maybe" prize.

I am not trying to judge the moms (but maybe can't help it) just putting my opinion as a loving mom to girl out there for the web (or at least my followers on the web) to see.

I have caught this show on occasion for a few minutes here and there after only being able to watch a full episode a few times without actually feeling ill for these little girls. The article (link above) reads by the writer about the moms usually being "large"... I feel by watching this show that these moms are living vicariously through these little fragile once innocent little girls...little toddlers & children!

Ughh...to the spray tans, the fake hair wigs, the amount of makeup applied to these girls. Just the thought of trying to make my 3 or 5 year old look like a grown woman is just absurd! What about teaching these girls about natural beauty? And that winning is not everything but the effort you put in.

I caught one episode where a mother was trying to make her daughter feel guilty about the cost of her pageant dress...really, cause I doubt that that little girl begged you to pay $7k on a dress! Another episode, the mom had to take the little girls binky out of her mouth...ughh again!

What are your thoughts...please share!!!!

http://http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/user-post-right-or-wrong-quot-toddlers-tiaras-quot-2457904/

PS.... Aren't my girls beautiful just the way they are...without makeup or walking with their hips shaking from side to side?

What's your fav family dinner?

Ours? Taco Night! And not Taco Bell night, but create your own Taco night! The kids love making their own creations (Rachel likes to add some taco ingredients and a taco shell to her sour cream! ) Andrew used to eat just the sides of rice and beans but last night he had a hard taco shell. What had us cracking up during dinner last night is that Andrew kept asking for more "Moons" ~ we realized he was calling the taco shells moons! Ha!

So...what's yours?