We had a really nice afternoon at the park today. The kids and I played for a while in the sun and sand. It was one of the first warm days of spring.
Ursa nursed and fell asleep. I put here down in the grass, and snagged the moment to do some yoga. I've been doing yoga for many years now. It evolved out of stretching for sports in high school- it always felt good to limber up. At some point I read some books and watched some videos, and began to understand how to take stretching to a new level. I have never taken a paid class. I have joined a couple free ones while traveling. I have allot more to learn, but for more the 7 years I've done yoga a couple times a week at least.
When I was pregnant with Saule that increased to a couple times a day, stretching out on hostel and forest floors all across Central America . We've been doing yoga together ever since, and I'm glad to know this will be a way of life she knows from such a young age.
I've had other moms ask "How do you find the time to do yoga with two kids?" and the answer is, I multitask. I don't often get time to do deep meditation and yoga all at once in a big chunk any more, but I integrate it into my day and my life.
I do yoga at the playground, or on the bedroom floor all. winter. long. I do squats while I read aloud, or with Ursa in the ergo. If I find myself waiting, for anything, I do yoga. I do it in public places without shame. I do the breathing while I nurse, that's when I find the stillness.
Those other moms are right, I don't have time to go to a class, but my life provides plenty of chances to stay fit. Being a full time homeschooling mama, and I'm nursing x2 (never pumping) meaning I never leave my girls and go out (ok-Pollo and I did go to a movie once right before Ursa was born). Still, I don't have any problem finding time for myself with them still in my care- in fact that's how women have lived for thousands of years. I can find peace, calm, and time for exercise without gyms or daycare.
Maybe when I'm older I'll join a class and get some pointers. Or maybe I'll hire a teacher and start a class- that meets at the playground!
After all, who need child care when you've got a little imagination? Happy kids, happy mama.
We usually go to the Copenhagen Zoo about once a week. Having the chance to visit so often is wonderful because it means we can really take the time to get to know the animals at a slower pace, rather than just rushing through to see them all in one day. Its an amazing home school resource and I don't see anyone else using this here. (Please tell me about how you use your zoo!)
Yesterdays visit we spent in the tropical area, which is an entire building that is open air and set up to give you and the animals a feeling of walking in a rain forest. There is no cage or glass between you and the critter (expect the alligators), so if you sit still and quiet you are often approached by large jungle fowl and sloths.
There were very few people at the zoo yesterday, so we were able to spread out our picnic blanket, take off all our layers of clothes, and put on our butterfly wings. I did some yoga. Ursa (almost 9 months) enjoyed having the freedom to crawl/cruise around where she liked, touch some plants and the waterfall. We had lunch, read books, took a nap, and did some worksheets. But mostly we enjoyed being in the nature, and being able to sit long enough and quiet enough to really absorb it. We
These are the books we brought with us- all of them are rainforest themed.
So here we are. Its the dead of winter, in the middle of the night, in the far north. We get just about 4 hours of daylight each day, although it can hardly be referred to as "day" light, its more like "twilight". Its times like these when you may have to squint to see the light. And some times its good to look at old photos to remember how bright it can be....if you can just hold out until springtime....
Besides going to the pool 2-3 times a week, and the zoo once a week, we spend lots of time at home. Playing is very important to children this age (and my age...) or so they say....
Ursa is growing bigger everyday. At almost 9 months she is cruising around, and has taken a few tiny steps. She loves food, and just about anything her sister does.
Saule's mealworm project has provided us with lots of entertainment. She also has a very large garden growing (all be it slowly) near our windows. We have started more and more unschooling type activities, gearing up for next year. We is a constant wonder, with a truly amazing mind.
I recently posted the following message online, and I am re-posting it here in an effort to attract even more people. We have since started a facebook group called "Copenhagen Alternative Parenting Group". Please feel free to join the group! "I'm looking to connect with families that have more in common than just being from someplace other than Denmark and having kids. Its nice to meet other English speakers- but its also nice to have something to talk about :)
Are you interested in attachment parenting, baby wearing, extended nursing, mothering.com lifestyles?
Maybe you like to travel off the beaten path, or have a passion for serious camping/biking/trekking/bungee jumping/etc with your kids?
Maybe you home school or have considered doing so?
Maybe you dream of living off the grid, or giving it all up and moving into a tee-pee or a bus or a house boat?
Maybe you raise worms under the kitchen sink, or tomatoes in window boxes, or goats in your backyard?
Maybe you are just feeling like the mainstream is not your stream and are seeking other ideas and fresh conversation?
Or maybe you are really open minded and mesh well with other people seeking the road less traveled?
If you think this might be you- please email me or join our new facebook group. I look forward to meeting you."
s
