In America we  follow the Gregorian calendar.   The last day in the month of December we celebrate the beginning of a new year at the stroke of midnight.  Many Americans participate in the popular New Years custom of making a commitment to a personal goal or reforming a habit.  We refer it as a “New Year’s Resolution.”

I made a few resolutions last year and ended up for the most part sticking with them.  Nothing too outrageous, mind you.  One of my resolutions was to expose my two young daughters to yoga.

I followed through with my commitment by reading up on books on yoga for children.  We bought the girls each their own purple yoga mats.  My style of teaching them was based on a yoga book and my prior experience with yoga.During the second half of 2010 my five year-old started her Kindergarten level of education, and I implemented a more structured and formal yoga routine.  Our routines ranged from 10 to 15 minutes… always depended on any curve balls my youngest daughter threw in.

By the end of December 2010, my girls could strike a yoga pose by name.  They even had “feats of strength” style yoga competitions with each other.

At the end of 2010 I was happy with the progress we made with my resolution.  I didn’t make any resolutions for 2011 prior to the big New Year’s celebration.  I knew I’d be making some alterations in my lifestyle, but no goal setting per-say.   One of my personal lifestyle changes was to start getting up early again and get my work out done… something that is normally part of my routine but any injury this past September set me back a bit.

Alas, I digress.  I am healed and I’ve been working out consistently since the start of our calendar year, which is January 1st.   By the time I am done with my exercise routine, my oldest daughter has been awake working on an art craft at our kitchen table.  I come upstairs from our gym smiling, knowing she’ll see me in my workout clothes.   I want my girls to know how to take care of their bodies. I believe that if they see me practicing what I am preaching, then I am leading by example.

Ever hear the term “practice makes perfect?”  Repetition, repetition, repetition… My little family has been learning Spanish for fourteen months now as a second language.  I see the progress we’ve made on a daily basis.  I am also aware that we have a long road to travel on that journey.

Each time we practice using our Spanish communication skills we get better or we commit the material more to memory.

One of the lifestyle routines we are continuing in 2011 is to incorporate Spanish into our every day life.   I did not set any resolutions or goals for Spanish in 2011 because learning Spanish is an ongoing yearly commitment/goal.  But, like I said, I saw the progress we made in both yoga and in Spanish in 2010.

I did, however, make two New Years resolutions within this last week.   I don’t see the harm in making them up a little past the new year.  Anyhow, my first resolution is fun!  The back-story on this commitment is that my family got an ice hockey rink in our backyard. We had our official first skate on our rink this past Thursday.

Now, I’m not a skater.  I am a novice.  My husband has been skating since he was three and played ice hockey in college.  He is calm as can be on the ice.   My daughters are the ages of five and two years which puts them in the novice category, as well.   My oldest daughter has been skating for two years on our neighbors backyard rink and local rinks.

So, my first 2011 resolution is to get my girls and myself exposed to our rink and out skating every day, weather permitting of course!  Five days into our commitment and I am honestly astounded at how quickly my five year-old and I have benefited from such frequent exposure to the ice.  We skated three times today and each time got better and better.  My oldest daughter, husband and myself each had ice hockey sticks and pucks in our hands at one point.

I feel like I’ve got lots of potential to be a mom ice hockey player.  I am anxious to develop my skating skills.  Seeing the results quickly is a real motivator!

I made my second resolution last night.  The inspiration for this resolution comes from my husband’s transformation of the way our family ate due to his efforts in growing and harvesting our garden in 2010.   My husband and I got to talking last night about what we eat during the winter and the way food affects our bodies in both appearance and physically.

Our discussion led us to agreeing to the practice of a Gluten-free diet.  Neither one of us has Celiacs disease, although my mother does, so I am aware of the impacts gluten has on some people.   After reading about the health benefits that come from eliminating gluten from your diet we set a simple goal of trying to eat gluten-free for one week.  If it works, then we’ll go for two weeks.

To maintain a completely gluten-free diet means eating fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fish and other items available. No wheat, barley, oats or rye.   Today was our first day our family ate gluten-free.  My two daughters are participating in this New Year’s resolution as well.   It was one of the healthiest days for all the main meals that we’ve had in ages.  It went freakishly well today… fruits and veggies were consumed by two little girls with huge smiles on their faces.

I wonder what strides I’ll make with my 2011 New Years resolution.   Since I am now officially now a “skater girl” I hope my strides will be at a fast pace!

Have you made an “after the day” New Year’s Resolutions? Or, have any particular fun ongoing goals you have made for yourself or your family?

This is an original post to World Moms Blog by Courtney Cappallo of Massachusetts, USA. Courtney can be found homeschooling on her blog, Table of Four.

Photo credit to Courtney Cappallo.


Courtney Cappallo (USA)

Courtney Cappallo is a mom of two girls, ages 7 and 4-years-old. She is living her dream life by residing on Cape Cod and being able to stay at home with her two little beauties. Courtney is currently homeschooling both of her daughters for 2nd grade and preschool, respectively.

Courtney uses a mix of Classical Education and Montessori. She is a strong believer in teaching to the five senses. Courtney’s homeschooling efforts are unique, as she uses the latest technology of the Smartboard. She is also taking on the task of learning Spanish as a second language, as well as, teaching her two children and husband Spanish.

Prior to becoming a homeschooling teacher, Courtney was the Director of Marketing for Simon Property Group, which is the largest U.S. real estate company. Courtney was Simon’s Director of Marketing for the Burlington Mall, Arsenal Mall and Cape Cod Mall. Courtney is a graduate of Villanova University and is proud of her small town roots from growing up in Oxford, Pennsylvania, which only has two traffic lights! She can be found making homeschooling lessons and more at Table of Four !

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