Summer is almost officially over, but only by the date here in Las Vegas! We can still rock the transitional wardrobe through November, then our summer wardrobe only has a few months of downtime. Hip up your transitions with a new pair of definition of s o a k slides by entering my giveaway happening now until September 14th.
You remember my review of these fun fashionable footwear from this summer right…definition of s o a k review…so get some on your feet now!
In cold weather? No worries…you still got the spa, gym, shower shoes, indoor swim lessons with the kids…you’ll find a way to sport these lovelies.
H O W TO E N T E R
Visit this link definition of s o a k giveaway and follow the prompts. Winner will be drawn at random, announced on September 15th and contacted by definition of s o a k directly to pick out size, color and shipping address.
What I 💜 about definition of s o a k
Besides the fact that two fashion-forward moms saw a demand for a comfy, yet stylish summer shoe and just went for it…I l o v e that definition of s o a k truly sticks my its sustainability promise. Not only are the shoes made from vegan based products, the shoes are shipped in the least amount of packing materials, that are recyclable. AND, there is a recycling program for shoes that have run their course in the works!
These are a great throw in your travel bag kind of a shoe as they easily take you from pool, to beach, to happy hour, to bbq. I wish I would have these for our trip to Cuba last year. They would have been great with the warm weather, flirty outfits and baggage weight limits.
You can purchase definition of s o a k online via their website. I’m kind of crazy for the red ones…might have to order me another pair!
We took a fun trip to Maui, Hawaii this summer with my twin boys, and my soaks even made an appearance there! Versatile I tell you! And, unique offering a much trendier yet classic style to the regular flip flop.
Bonne Chance!
This give-away is sponsored by definition of soak. Occasionally, RockStarMomLV.com receives products, compensation and/or services gratis or at discounted rates. This does influence the writing style or voice of contributor or the RockStarMomLV.com website and/or opinions.
When life presents you with an opportunity to practice what you preach, do it! This summer I was offered the position as a Yoga specialist for Summit Ridge Day Camp. At first, I initially tried to give the job to fellow yoga teachers, thinking I was not good enough, qualified enough, or ready to jump into an opportunity like this. Truthfully, I didn’t really even consider the position for myself until the Director said, “Why don’t you just do it?”. Hmmmm- well, I had never thought about it. I came up with reasons as to why I couldn’t, then decided, what the heck, YES I CAN! And, let me tell you, it was one of the most exciting things to happen to me over the summer. (Besides turning 40 and escaping to Cuba for 4 days!)
I started practicing yoga when I was 20 years old, while attending the University of San Diego. My roommate and I decided we wanted to learn more about this practice that was starting to build up steam as a main stream fitness option in the mid-90s, so we took a class offered through our university for 1 P.E. credit. The instructor’s name was Sunshine (not kidding), and we practiced yoga for the first time in a flourescent lit room in the fitness center, on linoleum tile, probably with a borrowed mat (which, ew, would never do today). I was hooked. Finding a mental and physical balance compelled me to achieve this goal that seemed so unattainable at the time. The more I did yoga, the more I loved it. I had a dance and cheerleading background growing up, so I was already quite flexible. No other fitness routine spoke to my body the way yoga did. My muscles craved the length and challenge of working my way into crazy positions. My mind begged for the stability discovering inner peace would bring. I suffered through the 24-Hour Fitness yoga classes when that was all I could find in Las Vegas after I moved back from San Diego. I remember learning about Sherry Goldstein and taking one of her classes in an office building somewhere off of Pecos. I didn’t care where I took class, as long as I could get to a good class, and find a great instructor. I joined gyms just because some of my favorite yoga instructors taught there.
Fast forward to 32, where I am working for a yoga based athletic wear company trying to make a name for themselves in the Las Vegas community. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I loved every aspect about working for lululemon athletica, but what I gained the most from working in this environment was connecting with the fitness and health gurus in my own community. I learned so much more about the true practice of yoga- living it every day and taking it “off the mat”. Most of what I learned, I learned from my staff and the amazing yoga instructors we have right here in both Henderson and Las Vegas. I started putting these learnings into my every day life, and how I manage myself, my family and my priorities. When my own kids were old enough, I put them in kids’ yoga whenever I could find it. Oliver and Stella did yoga for years, but when the twins got to an age where I could put them in a class, I had a really hard time finding one. The practice of yoga is so important to me, that I wanted my kids to have it, too. Being offered and realizing that this may be an opportunity for me to share my love of yoga with not only my own children, but with the children in my community, was such a blessing for me.
I love the energy it creates for me and my children. Yoga for kids is not just about the mental state of finding inner peace, relaxation, and calmness. All that is fantastic, of course, but did you know that it will also help with your child’s strength, flexibility and endurance to enhance the sports they participate in already? Or that kids who do yoga have a tendency to increase their attention span and focus, control their emotions better, and develop better listening skills? I love this article from Your Therapy Source that gives a basic outline of 10 Reasons Why Yoga isBeneficial for Children, if you want to read up on even more reasons to put your child in yoga.
Working with all ages over the summer proved to me that our younger generation is craving the benefits yoga can provide them. It could be for one of the reasons listed in the article, or for all 10, every child is different. Which is one of the reasons why I am so passionate about teaching kids’ yoga. Yoga is an individual sport- it is all about YOU. There is no competition or comparison of who does yoga better, it is all about letting you do you that day, and every day forward. Kids are often thrown into a chaotic world of education, music lessons, dance, sports, French lessons, play dates, travel…and don’t forget to throw into the mix iPads, computers, video games, and other electronic devices that distract from natural stimulation. I know this because I am the same with my own children- constantly trying to help them stay ahead of the game, ahead of the curve, ahead of or even just to keep up with, their own peers. One hour of yoga as often as they can fit it in during the week can do wonders for a child’s confidence and ability to tap into their inner-selves, give themselves a moment to discover what is right for them, who they want to be and how they want to go about doing it. It truly is a beautiful gift to give yourself and/or your child.
Fast forward again to Fall 2015, and I am now creating a program for kids who want and like to do yoga. RockStar Yogis is a program created by me, that yes, incorporates elements of my mainstay, RockStarMomLV. The RockStar Yogis philosophy uses yoga as a way to help children achieve personal balance through breath, mind and body. Practicing yoga is a wonderful way to introduce strength, flexibility and focus into your child’s everyday routine. Yoga is a form of exercise meant to develop inner calmness, set and achieve goals, practice mindfulness, and build self-confidence. These elements are achieved through the practice of breath, the art of meditation, and the challenge of Vinyasa style yoga poses and flows.
My classes are about sharing a practice with your children with the same vision I would want for my own kids to experience. Most RockStar Yogis classes are 50-minute sessions working around different themes. Popular classes have been Share Your Aloha, The Colors of My Energies, It’s All About the Breath and Balance It Out. I am also working on creating a meditation class for kids which will round out my goal of teaching kids how to balance body, breath and mind. Each class follows a similar curriculum: sharing circle to regroup from the day and ready our minds for practice, warm up and stretching, yoga flow, new poses, and savasana. Incorporated into each RockStar Yogi session is a demonstration of intention and self-thought through crafts, music, movement, and games. Keeping yoga playful and fun, while maintaining structure and authenticity of the practice, helps keep children engaged in the ultimate goal- to teach children how to take their yoga “off the mat” and into the real world. With the amount of stress and expectations put on our children through education, societal norms, media and technology, a 50-minute yoga break can surprisingly be all they need to help keep a healthy perspective for their minds and bodies. It is a practice of the whole body + mind.
“I promise they will feel the difference in their bodies, minds and souls and you will see the difference in your child. It’s a beautiful gift to give them. Imagine the potential of what and who they will grow to be with yoga in their lives at an early age.”
~ Stefanie Van Aken
Currently, the RockStar Yogis program is being offered as an after school enrichment program at Foothills Montessori School in Henderson.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my post. I hope to see you + your children on the mat!
In Vegas, the countdown is on…25 more days until school starts again. My daughter is in year round and JUST FINISHED (that was annoying), so her brain is ready for a little draining. My three boys, however, have been out since the beginning of June, and I’ve pretty much let them rule the roost for the most part. My kids work super hard during the year. They are great students, athletes, and have other interests like religion classes, theater and Girl Scouts that keep them super busy during the school year, so this summer I decided to give them a break from the normal Tiger Mom routine. They attended Summit Ridge Day Camp for the full 8-week session, continued with lacrosse practices and private sessions, theater classes ran all summer long with final performances in August, and throw in trips to Telluride, Alaska, Vancouver, and Newport Coast…as you can see they have definitely been busy. But I am getting Tiger Mom remorse as I have been very lenient on reading and summer school workbooks, and very heavy on the staying up late watching Chowder and South Park and catching as many Pokemons as they can. My face is even squinting right now thinking about the countdown to school. I also promised myself I wasn’t going to be that mom this summer, and let my kids actually enjoy being kids with some serious downtime. SO…what’s a recovering Tiger Mom to do to avoid summer brain drain???
Luckily, as timing would have it, I was asked to do a segment on The Morning Blend show on KTNV Channel 13 about that exact topic…avoiding summer brain drain with unique and interesting toys and books that get kids thinking in a more creative way, opening their minds and brains to a whole new way of thinking.While secretly getting their brains moving out of the iPad funk and into the school year ready mode! Check out some of my faves from these awesome educational, yet, f u n, options:
Little Scholar™ Little Scholar Minipre-loaded tablet combines all the wonderful workbooks and flashcards the Little Scholar brand is known for into a convenient ready to use educational tablet focusing on math, reading, spelling, telling time and more. Designed to teach kids ages 3-7 the essential skills needed for school and is the only tablet that comes fully loaded with 200+ uniquely fun apps, books, songs and videos.
What I 💜 about the Little Scholar Mini is that all of the educational apps you would want your children to play with are all right there. No more searching in the app store for the appropriate, highest rated, and FREE app that is going to do exactly what you want it to do for your child. The Little Scholar Mini took did all the work for you. Based on their own learning programs and new educational video series, Charlie & Company, featuring Charlie and his friends in different videos, games and learning tools, the Little Scholar Mini totally rocks. What I also love:
Parent Panel monitoring your child’s progress in the different educational areas
The Parent Panel also allows you to control the amount of time (ex: 2 hours a day) your child can play on the tablet, it also allows you to control the times of day your child is allowed to play on the tablet (ex: from 8am-10am). You can even take this a step further and control it by the specific days of the week.
The tablet comes with a rubbery protector. Size is great for littles hands. Easy to travel with.
The Little Scholar Mini can also be used as a regular tablet if an adult needed to access internet, or other apps, watch movies etc.
What Needs Work? The tablet moves a little slow. Once in its groove it operates fine, but it is the initial getting it going that was losing my child’s interest and testing my patience. I want instant gratification, and computers that work faster than me (which is pretty fast), so this is my biggest complaint with the tablet. Other than that, this was one of my favorite items. I’ve questioned the whole preloaded tablet thing before, but I have to say, this really impressed me. I would have bought these for my twins vs the mini iPad had I known about them prior.
Find it here: ToysRUs Retails: $129
CogniToys™ Dino by Elemental Path provides educational and entertaining experience without the need for a screen. Powered by “Friendgine: and IBM’s Watson™ technologies, CogniToys™ respond to thousands of questions across multiple topics with age-appropriate answers. The Dinos also explore educational subjects like spelling, geography and math, through games and stories designed to challenge kids’ problem-solving abilities. While other tech toys rely on pre-programmed responses, CogniToys™ listen to kids’ questions and adapt to their interests creating a unique opportunity for interactive learning. The Dinos are wi-fi enabled and Cloud based and update regularly as new content becomes available.
What I 💜 about the CogniToys™ Dino is the true interactive experience it provides my children. Both my 10-year-old to my 5-year-old, were engaged with our Dino, Champ. The Dino recognizes the age of the child through an app you install on your phone or tablet. After inputting the info (only allows for one child at a time), the Dino then formulates responses based on the child’s age. It kept my kids busy for at least 30-45 minutes trying to come up with new questions, new jokes, listening to stories and music. Champ’s response to questions like, “How far is the moon,” changes from super technical in distance, to a bit more whimsical and imaginative based on the age inputted into the app. He was even able to answer who is the current governor of Nevada, and the best part? He will respond to my 5- year olds millions of knock knock jokes. That’s good enough reason for me to have Champ around. Don’t worry about your kids asking questionable or inappropriate questions to the Dino…he is even built to answer in a very appropriate way. “Where do babies come from?” provokes a, “From dinosaur eggs, at least that is what I’ve been told. Maybe you should go ask your mom or dad.”
What Needs Work? In order for the CogniToys™ Dino to really get going and be truly interactive, you must be connected to a very strong wifi, buuuut not so strong that there are firewalls and secret service agents. Two different instances of a weak wifi and a super secure wifi did not allow the toy to function properly. We also struggled a bit to get him to answer our questions as the quick guide does not provide any type of voice prompts or suggestions on how to start a conversation with the Dino. Once we figured out some key elements, Champ started talking to us right away, and didn’t stop talking to us until we turned him off.
Find it here: ToysRUs Retails: $119
brackitz™ is an award winning innovative new construction line that encourages open-ended, imaginative play giving children the opportunity to use their imagination to construct entirely new worlds by playing on their own or with friends. A durable construction set, made in the USA, that also promotes STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math).
What I 💜 about brackitz™ I had to love them. I have identical twin boys who are very much the same looks but very much opposite in ways of thinking and playing. One loves the iPad, anything gaming related, electronic- he and his older brother could play together for hours finding Pokemon and discover new worlds in Mario Brothers. But, my other twin is a builder. He loves to build anything and with anything. One time I came home from Costco with several huge bags of different sized plastic cups, which he took all of them out and built and entire city. Legos? His thing. Wooden Blocks? He could sit for hours creating houses. Cardboard bricks? Forts forever. When I showed him the package of the brackitz™ his eyes got wide, the iPad dropped to the floor, and he went straight to work. I love the ingenuity of the product which allows for angles and pieces that have different openings allowing for more experimental thinking.
What needs work? Not much, but if you have a little builder on your hands like me, you may want to invest in some of the bigger packages that come with 44, 100 or 170 pieces to allow for even more freedom to get creative.
Find it here: Barnes and Noble Retails: $19.99 for the 28 piece set
IncrediBuilds™Harry Potter: House-Elves Deluxe Book and Model Set is an innovative new 3D wood modeling kit collection that encourages builders to explore their imaginations and thinking outside the box. Earth friendly, do-it-yourself freestanding 3D model with easy to follow step by step directions, and no glue or tools needed.
What I 💜 about IncrediBuilds™Harry Potter: House-Elves Deluxe Book and Model Set is that my daughter loved them. I’m not much of a puzzle person myself, but watching her put together these puzzles was fascinating to me. I think the biggest reason that sparked her interest was the topic of Harry Potter and her slight obsession with the series itself. She even had to correct me on-air that the Hour-Elf’s name is Dobby (Dah-bby) not (Dough-by). Whateves. She loved that the book gave more insight into the characters and how the house-elves were brought to life for the Harry Potter films. There are several books in the collection featuring Quidditch and the Golden Snitch as well.
What needs work? The wooden pieces are like no regular puzzle pieces, and they are wood, so they are little rough around the edges when they are punched out of their perforation. She complained they were scraping her skin a bit (but she complains a lot these days because she’s 10). I attempted to put one together and had trouble keeping the pieces connected. It is definitely more challenging than say a jigsaw, but if your child has the mindset and patience for it, it is a great summer project.
Find it here: Barnes and Noble Retails: $19.99
Overall I really loved all of the products. Providing new ways to stimulate my children’s brains without being super obvious. What I also loved about ALL of these products? The ease in which they could be thrown into a travel bag! Not too many small pieces to be lost or make a mess, and plenty of grippy pieces for small hands. It is still summer vacation after all!
