Turnitupmom » Dance

Tap, Tap, Tap

turnitupmom — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:08:21 +0000

Lately, naps are getting shorter. And shorter.

This means one thing: I had better come up with some pretty cool things to do. Or else. . .

So I dusted off the black patent leather shoes that are sadly reserved for holidays, scotch-taped quarters to the bottom of each shoe, and voila!, instant tap shoes. (I’m not brilliant; Rookie Moms came to my rescue.)

I find that most toddlers love music. They love movement. They love newness- anything that deviates from the ordinary. Ahem, anything slightly chaotic.

Our homemade tap shoes didn’t disappoint. Stomp. Flap. Giggle. Stomp. Pitter-patter. Hoo-ray. Stomp.

Oh, yes, I stomped too. Who knew that simple driving mocs second as tappers? What started out as a sanity-saving time-filler turned out to be a whole lot of fun! At least 20 minutes of fun, not that I was watching the clock or anything.

P.S. Please stop by to enter a handmade doll giveaway from Blabla kids. You’ll be glad that you did!

**This post is part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

Rise and Shine (and turn it up, mom!)

turnitupmom — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:28:50 +0000

Photo by MarksandSparks

My daughter is a light sleeper. Around 6:45 a.m. every morning, I’m inevitably lying in bed wishing I could catch a few more winks (if only I didn’t have to pee). Instead, I tend to hold onto the last few moments of silent stillness and curse the sun for rising. My bladder can wait. I think.

Some days it’s easier to wake up than others (with a smile on my face). Take last Monday, for example. I was sluggish. It was dark and rainy outside. I felt unmotivated to go out, but we had somewhere to be. I was in the mood for popcorn and a movie and lounging in my pajamas. It was one of those days.

Parenting isn’t a part time job. From my experience I can’t just check out when I’m not in the mood for discovering a new day- the /ch/ sound, the number 9, the phrase “oh yeah.” The old saying goes: Fake it till you make it. That’s what I did.

I shuffled into the kitchen with my well-rested toddler, bright-eyed and eager to play. I switched on the iPod, turned up the volume to Disco Inferno, and at 7:30 a.m. we had an all-out dance party. Tambourines, rhythm sticks, and shakers. We started off the day laughing, and the music was just enough to give me the boost I needed to feel awake and alive.

I’ve started to think that this might be a fun ritual for kids before heading off to school. It’s a naturally energizing shared experience and everyone feels good. Sit down with your kids to make a playlist. Then, on a dark and dreary Monday morning, crank up the music. And don’t be afraid to show off those old dance moves. Your kids will laugh and love you for it!

What are mornings like in your house? Would music make a difference? What songs would be a must-have on your family’s playlist?

**This post is a part of the Moms’ 30 Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

Fitting in Fitness

turnitupmom — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:14:11 +0000

I can think of a thousand reasons not to exercise: too busy, too tired, too boring, even too stressful (which defeats the purpose). Here are some tips that help me to get up and get moving!

1. Put yourself on your “to-do” list. On my grand to-do list today was a dance class, just for me. As mothers, we must care for ourselves with the same love and gentility that we give to others. Where are YOU on your to-do list today? If you’re not there, I’d challenge you to make yourself a priority. It’s not selfish; it’s self-care! Exercising gives us the physical and mental energy we need to be fully present to those we love. There’s truth to these lyrics: “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy . . .”

2. Do something that brings you joy. I happen to love dance. But maybe for you, it’s tennis, swimming, or kick-boxing. Do something that puts a smile on your face. If you love the outdoors, ride your bike or go for a hike. Exercising isn’t meant to be drudgery, but we’ve made it just that. It’s not just about losing weight, although working off those brownies isn’t a bad thing. In truth, it’s about getting the blood going, recharging our batteries, and having FUN.

3. Call a friend. Friends hold us accountable. If I have committed to a friend, I am far less likely to bail out and let her down, as I would myself. Sad, but true. If we are meeting at the park at 5 p.m., I’ll be there . . .fashionably late, as always.

4. Don’t beat yourself up. Do you ever notice that New Years’ Resolutions never work? That’s because we create goals that we can’t meet, and the minute we fall off track, we lose faith and give up. Maybe next year. I’m too hard on myself and need to set realistic expectations. I’d rather commit to dance twice a week and actually do it, than set myself up for failure. Be gentle. Acknowledge what you DO, rather than what you don’t do.

5. Just Do It! As much as I love to dance, there are days when I don’t want to go. I’m too tired. I’m too busy. I’m mentally exhausted, whatever. But it is in these moments when I most need to exercise, to just do it. On these days, I dig deep and push myself and go, and I’m always thankful that I did.

Enter Sandman

turnitupmom — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Here is how it all started- the story behind “turnitupmom.”

It was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon, or so I thought. My three-month-old daughter, Liza, and I were still in our pajamas, bouncing to Steve Miller Band’s Jungle Love. Somehow the lyrics “drivin’ me mad, makin’ me crazy” seemed all too appropriate. Liza had been awake for seven hours straight, and I was running out of silly Mary Poppins-like antics to keep her content. She’d resisted the traditional methods of settling down, and I needed to come up with something, and fast. Clearly, she needed a nap. Clearly, I needed one too.

While I’m not a voracious reader of parenting manuals and how-to guides (Let’s face it, there is no manual.), I did expect that my daughter would respond well to the recipe for a happy baby: swaddle, sway, and shush. I envisioned her nestling into the crook of my arm and drifting off to sleep, lulled by classical melodies. Quite to the contrary, she squirmed free of my futile attempts to cuddle close with a warm, cozy blanket. I spent days grasping for straws until I realized that she required something a bit more edgy than “The Muffin Man.” That’s when I turned to my husband’s eclectic music collection.

That afternoon, we ripped up the dance floor (Okay, the linoleum kitchen tiles.), bouncing and grooving to the music. And the louder, the better. Liza closed her tiny fingers around my shirtsleeve, and we clung to each other. We whirled past kitchen counters strewn with bottles and dirty dishes, and we twirled in circles, dizzying ourselves. We weren’t waltzing to a Brahms lullaby, and yet I felt a deep sense of comfort separate from the rest of the world. It was an unmistakable bond with my daughter, as I gave myself permission to dance with a childlike abandon and wonder.

Despite my utter exhaustion, an untapped stream of energy rose from deep within and gave way to flirtation with a light, carefree me. I wasn’t going to need a Richard Simmons video to get this body back in shape. I was sweatin’ to everything from Michael Jackson to Metallica. Before long, that room was filled with laughter, singing, and a curiously content baby. But God, did I need a shower.

I couldn’t wrap my head around it; my husband and I were quiet babies, content to sit and gaze and bat our hands at colorful rattles. I half-expected our daughter to be the same. It was in this moment that I made a conscious effort to shift my thinking. Instead of wishing her to be otherwise, I began to embrace all that she was- a curious, wide-eyed, active baby who made me laugh- instead of all that she wasn’t. And we danced. What emerged from this moment was the opportunity for me to know my child and to rediscover myself.

Did she fall asleep? Of course she did. After a few minutes, Liza nestled her head into the space under my chin and tucked her knees up into my chest. Her eyelids grew heavy and her body, limp. Although the couch was enticing, my heart told me to savor this moment. I pressed my lips against her forehead and continued to rock. Here I was, mommy-gone-mad, with a sense of calm falling around me. I, too, closed my eyes and let go, knowing that in a matter of months, her little tushy wouldn’t fit in the palm of my hand. My nap could wait. I didn’t ever want to wish that we had danced more.

I often ask myself, why does my daughter love to dance? Maybe it’s the rocking motion that simulates the womb or the liveliness of the music, but I have to believe that it’s more than that. Perhaps Liza is giving me exactly what I need- the chance to stop, to breathe, and to be fully present. Somewhere along the line, between juggling work and the inability to say “no,” I had suppressed my most basic need to be and to honor all that I am.

Liza had her own agenda from the moment of conception. What I didn’t know was that it would come in the form of a gift, one that transcended my expectations.

The serendipity of it all is that one week later, I slipped on a pair of brand new jazz shoes and headed off to dance, this time with a group of women who love to sweat. Every week I do this for myself- for my body, my spirit, and a guilt-free break. Who do I have to thank for this? My little Liza who, literally, doesn’t miss a beat. Thanks to her, I’ve been reacquainted with the happy-go-lucky girl who could pirouette, slide into a split, and steal the show. (Although, I must admit that after delivering a baby, the thought of a split makes me cringe and contract my pelvic muscles.) Because of dance, we have a few more funky songs on our playlist and a few new moves for our kitchen repertoire. Because of dance, I have reconnected with a freer side of myself that I’d lost in the trenches of life. Liza gave me the push I needed to step out onto the dance floor again and to linger in moments of sheer fun.

I have since plunged into this new role, at times wacky and wild, and while it differs from the challenges of classroom instruction, it demands a similar creativity and freshness. Every day Liza cracks me up, and some days I wonder where she came from. Although, in truth, I’ve come to believe that while our children are of us, they are not us.

My husband and I joke that someday our daughter will be the last child to conk out at her first slumber party. But for now, I have come to appreciate the fact that I can “sway” my daughter to sleep, even if it means cranking up a little classic Metallica. And maybe- just maybe- the Sandman will pay us a visit.

KC Los Angeles GIVEAWAY: Tees with a Latin Flair

turnitupmom — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:47:00 +0000

I recently stumbled upon KC Los Angeles, a stylish t-shirt company that inspires women to embrace their femininity, their roots, and their dreams. Owner Karen Crawford created the line to celebrate her heritage in NYC’s Spanish Harlem.

These inspirational, graphic tees and tanks are 100% super-soft cotton, with a Latin flair. I am thrilled to be giving away 2 of them! Check these out:

The Paz tee (size M) was inspired by the graffiti on the unforgiving streets of Harlem. We all have a responsibility to advocate for peace- in our communities, our nation, and our world. There are no excuses. I like the idea of having “paz” emblazoned across my heart; it’s my little reminder to sow seeds of peace wherever I go.

The Unity tee (size L) displays the message: “Fuerza en la Unidad” (Strength in Unity). According to KC, the essence of unity is WE: “Not me. We.” When I wear tees like these, I feel like I am announcing to the world: “Hey, this is what I’m all about. This is what I stand for.”

As a woman and a mom, I am proud to wear clothing that inspires our children to embrace peace, hope love, faith, beauty, and unity. These tees and tanks are fun, flattering (run a bit small- order up!) and have messages with a mission. Plus, 10% of all purchases go to a non-profit, family service organization, Para Los Ninos.

To enter this GIVEAWAY, please visit KC Los Angeles. Come back and comment about which tee or tank (other than the ones pictured above) is your favorite. Be sure to include an email address where you may be reached. On Friday, June 12, two lucky winners will be randomly selected by Random.org. You must be a U.S. resident (18+) to enter. Good luck!

I’ve Got Rhythm Stix, I’ve Got Music

turnitupmom — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:20:00 +0000

My daughter LOVES music. I mean, really loves it. During her infancy, we spent hours bouncing and twirling across the kitchen floor, dancing to everything and anything. Except classical. Take that, Baby Einstein!

Now, whenever Liza hears music, the world stops. A smile stretches across her face as she bops her head and bends up and down at the knees. It’s her own little jig, and it’s seriously adorable (and future blackmail material).

Sometimes she adds shakers or tambourine to the combo, but more often it’s Rhythm Stix. Two red sticks. That’s it. Oh wait, they have ridges. Fancy, huh? But I’ve gotta be honest; they were the best $8 I spent on gifts last Christmas. Who needs all of that plastic Fisher Price c-r-a-p anyway?

Liza’s learned to “Shake your sticks up HIGH, and down LOW” (imagine my voice rising and falling here). We’ve used them to keep the beat, follow directions, develop coordination, and identify body parts; it’s much more fun to point to your nose with a big red stick.

We moms need to keep things fresh and exciting, in part to keep ourselves sane. LP RythMix has some cool instruments and music activities for little ones at various stages. There are even Mommy & Me activities.

When, as a mom, I’m grasping for straws, I turn to sticks instead: “I’ve got rhythm stix, I’ve got music . . .who could ask for anything more?”

Jack Johnson: The 3 R’s

turnitupmom — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:19:00 +0000

I love the idea of learning through music. When Liza was born, my chunky granola sister introduced me to the 3 Rs song by Jack Johnson. It doesn’t disappoint. In fact, I love his tone and message in this song; it’s fun, catchy, and mellow enough for mommies to listen to over and over again. And, ready for the bonus? We can raise happy, smart, environmentally conscious little citizens all at the same time. Nice, right?

Check out this short video: Jack Johnson Video

Turn It Up, Mama! Our Top 10 Dancing Picks

turnitupmom — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:58:00 +0000

It’s 3:00 p.m. You’re sluggish and need a little pick-me-up (other than chocolate). Maybe Daddy won’t be home for another five hours. That’s right. Five hours. You’ve exhausted all your tricks and games. What else is there? Time to turn up the music and dance! Here’s a list of 10 feel-good songs that get the heart pumping. Bye bye, bleary eyes. Hello, energize!

Respect, Aretha Franklin
Let’s Get It Started, Black-Eyed Peas
I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown
Beautiful Day, U2
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye
That’s the Way I Like It, K.C. & the Sunshine Band
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), the Four Tops
Got My Mind Set on You, George Harrison
Walking on Sunshine, Katrina & the Waves
Glory Days, Bruce Springsteen