It was beautiful Monday!

Soooo sorry to say this to anyone in the rain and the snow, but we’ve had our share of rain in the past few weeks.  My Littles and I have been CRAWLING the walls.  We couldn’t really leave the house with their colds, so it’s been really FUN!  Needless to say the past two days of 80+ degrees have been FABULOUS!

And today was a treat!  Hubby was off work with the holiday, so he spent the day working on his man projects, errr fixing up the garage…

Our “Right Hand” worked today, so someone was watching the Littles….

I was able to eat lunch with Hubby peacefully….

AND even though I should have been diligently catching up on work that I am sooooo far behind on, I escaped to a Pilates class for an hour (1st time in a year!)…..HEAVEN.

Pulling out of my driveway, the outside temperature was 84 degrees, I turned up a little Dave Matthews, opened the sunroof and enjoyed the peaceful 10 minute drive to Studio Seaside.  I felt like I was on a mini vacation!

I had heard a lot about Studio Seaside from a fabulous fitness friend, I had run into them at a few events, and then got a postcard in the mail from my DAD (of all people), who had seen their card in his office building.  OK, OK, I give in, I felt like life was telling me YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT

After checking out their site, I noticed a few KEY things:

1. They offer a free first class
2. It’s a studio where “Moms workout and kids play”.
3. The studio has “Pilates, yoga, dance, cardio, kids classes, & prenatal fitness”
4. AND “childcare is included with every class!  Certified teachers running fun and educational programs…infants, toddlers and kids.  All ages welcome!” You can bring up to 3 kids with you, more than 3 is OK too, just an extra small charge.

If you don’t have something similar in your area, you may want to open one!

I signed up for the Pre / Post Natal Pilates class with Yvette.  Fabulous!  The studio was so open feeling, the instructor very attentive and encouraging. I felt like I was a million miles away in my own little happy place!  When I arrived a class was just getting out, loads of kids all having a great time.  Moms and kids a like with huge smiles.

Zoe, One of the owners of Studio Seaside, explained that they wanted to create a place with a sampling of all the current trends in classes, and also make istaccessible to moms with their children.  Check out the class descriptions here.  I can find MORE than a handful to try out!  They focused first on gathering the best instructors in the area and it shows!

Studio Seaside has a very casual division of rooms for all different age children to play.  They are read stories, do art projects, listen to music, play…basically they have fun (while you get to get a little sweat in)!  There is no limit to age, basically the mom’s comfort level for her children.  They have had newborns to 8 year olds.  Everything is cleaned and sanitized after every class.  SUPER casual, but very professional atmosphere.

As far as my class, I loved it!  I think it’s important to find something to do after (and before, but especially after) you have a baby that helps you get “YOU” back.  I don’t mean just getting your body back, but also to get YOU (your head, your emotions, your sanity) back.  First time moms have not been there yet, moms on your 2nd, 3rd, and so on, know what I’m talking about.

It becomes hard to carve time out for yourself in a day.  There are some days you wake up and wonder, “How did I get here?” and “What happened to my life?” no matter how much you love your children.  So to know that there is a place for moms to easily take their kids with no major parking structures, no pressure or corporate gym….

Just a wonderful, accepting, gem of a spot with other moms that “get” where you are at….

I’m in.

Be sure to check out their schedule here, and the class or membership prices here.  I always think this type of thing makes a GREAT baby shower or birthday gift.

I’m so glad I took advantage of the free class today and can’t wait to go back and try out more!!