The Baranko Family: January 2016

Last September I may have recounted the stressful and disappointing experience we had trying to get Luke to take his first piano lesson from a woman who came to our home. It was disastrous. He flat our refused to do the lesson, no matter the long conversations, bribes or threats that ensued. We endeavored to find somewhere else for him to go to for lessons, thinking that another location would help. He plays around on our piano every day, so we felt that he would enjoy it if he gave it a chance, and we also didn't want to set a precedent that he could misbehave and then get what he wanted (in this case, not taking piano lessons). Well it took a few months to find the right place, person and time, but we finally found an instructor and venue for beginner piano lessons and Luke started in early January. He LOVES it!!! The teacher is so great with him, and Matt says he took a perfect approach with our little engineer-in-training Luke in getting him interested by seeing "how it works back there". So glad he was not turned off of music forever because of that first bad experience.

We also started Claire in beginning swimming lessons at the same place that Luke has been going. This is her first time without a "Mommy and me" class and she is also doing great! She is putting her face in and starting to learn how to swim with a lot more improvement week to week than the other class I was in with her before.

Other pics from the week are below. It was nice to be back home with the fam and start living my yoga positive mindset at home!

Luke asked for a pancake in the shape of his "family" and Matt made it happen!

Matt did one with the four of us, and then Luke said "Don't forget about Spumoni!"

She actually fell asleep like this at the top of the stairs

Kristin invited me to go on a yoga retreat with her in Costa Rica. While I was totally into the idea of vacationing with her in gorgeous Costa Rica, I wondered why it was necessary to go on a retreat. Not being particularly into yoga myself (she is, though) I was into the idea of vacationing, not yoga retreating. But she talked me into committing while she was in town for Grandma's 90th bd party, so there was no going back. We were doing it! As I learned more about the schedule of yoga practices, meditations and mind/body healing sessions, I began to get more intimidated - so many things that I had no experience doing and I was worried I would stick out like a sore thumb. That being said, I was determined to go in with an open mind and try and get the most out of the trip as possible and, as Kristin assured me, nobody was going to make me do anything I didn't want to do and worst come to worst- I could hang out at the beach or pool all day. I didn't mind that back up plan at all. This is a long set up to share, finally, that it was TOTALLY INCREDIBLE, TRANSFORMATIONAL, AMAZING, STUPENDOUS!! The retreat leader, Kim Bowen, was so inspirational, approachable and inviting. She shared all of her knowledge in such a welcoming and generous way. I never felt uncomfortable or out of place, and I'm proud to say I kept up with all the yoga practices despite my limited experience. Spending the week savoring quality 1:1 time with Kristin was just as awesome as I had expected, but what was the most surprising, and wonderful, was the connection we made with the other 10 girls on our retreat who were from all over the world. It was almost immediate and very strong. We shared anything and everything from the first day of the retreat, so it brought a level of intimacy with these strangers that quickly turned them all into dear friends. The message of the retreat was all about self-love. Love yourself, take pride in everything you are and can do, and free yourself of any insecurities or self-doubt. I took so many things back with me to normal life - living in the moment, appreciating everything I have, letting go of unrealistic expectations, stopping the comparison game of everyone around me, and forgiving myself for any real or perceived transgressions from what I think I "should be". As a result, I feel happier and emotionally lighter. I didn't even know I needed that, but apparently I did! Thank you to Kristin for pushing me out of my comfort zone to experience all of these new things, I am a better person for it! Thanks also to Matt for holding down the fort with the kids for a full week while I was gone, and for being such an amazing supportive guy all the time, but especially post-trip as I try to continue my yoga practice and do my essential oil aromatherapy and daily affirmations:) Namaste!

This was the room Kristin and I shared. The retreat center, Blue Spirit, was amazing. All inclusive uber-healthy locally sourced organic vegetarian meals, everything was about being environmentally sustainable and being one with the earth.

Views of the rainforests from the main building

View of the ocean from our room balcony

Monkeys everywhere chattering in the trees

They were so cute!

This was our fearless leader, Kim, who is a friend and neighbor of Kristin's - that's how she got hooked up with the retreat.

The retreat center was right on the beach, gorgeous much?

Nature studio where we practiced every morning - my favorite studio, completely in the trees with the monkeys and iguanas and birds all around. I can smell the aromatherapy just looking at this picture.

Infinity pool

Everything is open air, which I loved! Views from outside our hotel room in the hall.

Went horseback riding on the beach on the first day after yoga.

It may have been one of the top 10 experiences of my life. We cantered as much as our heart's desire in the surf, free as a bird, for hours.

We passed lots of surfers while riding. Surfing is a big deal in Costa Rica.

Inner healing/journalling session in the El Silencio studio

This was the walking path to the beach - it was a beautiful rainforest hike in and of itself.

There were 4 yoga studios. This was the one nearest to the beach- Pacifico.

It sounded like the waves were right next to you, it was so calm and peaceful doing our yoga and meditations in this studio.

We watched the sunset together every night. Look at this lovely lady I found on the beach.

Yoga superstar Shiva Rae had a retreat going at the same place, that is her group doing yoga on the beach at sunset.

There was no end to inspirational quotes and feelings and thoughts shared throughout the week.

This might have been my favorite place to relax in one of the common areas. There was such a heavenly breeze off the ocean below, the views were spectacular and the area so calm and relaxing.

Cafeteria - where we all ate each day - also open air and wondeful. It was seriously like a magical fairy land of healthiness and serenity.

Sample of our meals - everything was so fresh and yummy and filling, yet healthy

It was probably an average of 100 stairs to get anywhere on the grounds, that extra fitness helps with the feeling healthy too.

Coconut water was a refreshing treat

Main building

Walkway down to the pool and beach and cabins

Swimming in the ocean

Hilarious antics, as usual. I was really sick the first few days with a cold, so was trying to purposely get salt water up my nose to clear out my sinuses.

Picturesque

We walked about an hour down the beach with friend Lauren to visit the nearby town and get some ice cream.

Lauren and Kristin

Enjoying the infinity pool between activities. We were jam packed!

Beautiful!

Yoga on the beach - rolling around doing "happy baby"

My first headstand

Ziplining excursion

Talk about beautiful views!

One of our retreat "sisters" Kristine also went on the zip lining tour with us.

Taking a dip before our group dinner out that evening

This restaurant was famed as being super-gorgeous, and of course it was, right on the beach.

Live music and dancing

Waterfall hike the next day wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped due to a bit of a hangover on my part, the wine went down a bit too easily at that fun restaurant talking to all my new friends!