v 3 issue 33: Spring has Sprung

Spring is here and flowers are beginning to bloom. With the weather warming up we thought we would introduce a few spring treats as well as our favorite booty exercises for mom!







Spring has Sprung



1 We simply love a cute bubble! The spring collection from Little English is a must for your little girls spring wardrobe. This bubble is hand smocked, made of cotton seersucker, and adorned with adorable dragonflies. Available in sizes 6 months to 4T at LittleEnglish.com.
2 With flowers sprouting in our near future; Crea Crea makes gardening fun for kids with their collection of pruners, rakes and shovels. Found at Pylones-usa.com.
3 Explore the great outdoors with your child hands-free with Beco Baby Carrier. The Beco Butterfly carrier is a front AND back carrier that is comfy for both mom (dad) and your child. The butterfly fits baby from birth to 45 lbs (the built-in infant insert enables baby to sit higher in the carrier). We have tested this ourselves on a 4 mile treck and absolutely love how comfortable and easy it is!
4 Now your favorite soft-soled shoes can head outside! Your toddler can now enjoy the outdoors in comfort with the new Robeez Tredz. These new outdoor shoes still have the stay-on elastic ankle, the comfortable shoe design and adorable styles…now combined with an outdoor protective sole.
5 Make time fly with these beautiful butterfly lacing set. Guaranteed to occupy for long stretches of time, this kit contains 24 wings to mix and match on the flower card. Great for developing eye-hand coordination. $15 at MagicCabin.com.
6 Pink Dixie has created this adorable retro pinafore that screams spring. The pinafore wraps around and crisscrosses in the back and comes with matching bloomers. Pair with a tee and jeans for cool days or wear alone when the weather warms up.
7 Celebrate those cooler spring days with a hat knit by Nana. These 100% handcrafted hats by Nana Knits are super cute and encourage a smile on those gloomy spring days.
8 Now that the snow is disappearing for most, head outside with your tyke to ride a Skuut bike. The Skuut bike is a wooden balance bike that teaches them how to balance, steer and works on coordination all without fear and training wheels. Perfect for ages 2-5.



This week's mom tips

Cleaning Tip:
Remove smoke smells quick by placing a bowl of vinegar in the room.

Organizing Tip:
Put hooks and pegs on the backs of room door and on the insides of closet doors for quick hangups for your children.

Time Saving Tip:
Subscribe to a major news outlet's online newsletter, like CNN's "AM QuickNews." In one e-mail, you'll get short briefs of the day's top stories and weather, and you can request stories on specific topics of interest.

Financial Tip:
Try store brands at the grocery store...not only will you save but most of the store brands taste the same as the name brand (and some even taste better!).

Shape up those buns

It’s time to shape up those buns for the upcoming shorts and bathing suit season. Get started now and you will have a rockin’ rear by the time you have to flaunt it in a swimsuit. By adding weight to each of these exercises you are burning more calories! Our favorite butt exercises are:


Squat and press – Use dumbbells and position over shoulders, squat down and when you raise lift the dumbbells straight up. Repeat.

Lunges – Reverse lunges, walking lunges as well as side to side lunges are our favorite.
A reverse lunge simply means that you step backwards for the lunge. Use small weights in your hands for a greater burn (and to burn more calories). Switch legs and repeat.
A walking lunge simply means you are stepping forward one leg at a time and lowering your knee to the floor (well, almost the floor) then join legs and step forward with your opposite leg. Remember to hold weights in your hands for a better workout.
A side lunge with interior raises will really make you feel the burn. For this one stand with legs far apart and you are going to lunge from side to side. Upon side lunge lift your dumbbells up straight in front of you until you reach eye level. Move side to side while continually lifting arms.

Step ups – Step up to a platform while holding hand weights. Go slow and use a higher step/bench as you get stronger. Be careful…don’t bend your knee greater than 90 degrees. Repeat.

Drum roll please...if you want a booty like Jessica Beil (if you aren’t sure what her butt looks like be sure to do a google search to check it out!) this is the best exercise move:
Deadlifts – Form is very important here and if you have back problems don’t attempt them. Stand holding a pair of dumbbells with your arms at your sides (knees slightly bent). Keep your arms straight and slowly bend at your hip and lower the weights as far as you can without rounding your back (keep that back straight!!), now squeeze and lift yourself up… be sure not to use your back. Repeat.


Do each of the above exercises 2 sets of 10 reps each to sculpt a better butt for summer.