New Blog Name???

I was thinking of changing the name of the Blog from The Ripp Family Journal to something more fun...any suggestions or thoughts? The current name is just "blah" and isn't a true reflection of us and how much fun we really are and have. So please send me an email or post a comment with your ideas, suggestions and thoughts!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope that everyone had a love filled day spent with those you hold dear!

Cupid paid a visit to our house and brought a few presents and cards for everyone. Arabella enjoyed opening her gifts and cards. She received puzzle cards with animals on them and they are in French. Auntie Lori sent her a puzzle type game as well. It is 8 x 10 cards that have different animals and bugs on them, but there is a cut out for her to put her face in. Then she looks in a mirror and tells you what the animal is and makes the noise the animal would make, she loved it and was just giggling away.











Arabella also helped Dad open his card and gifts. She even helped to make sure his chocolate was good enough for him to eat!



As for me, I received the best Valentine ever! Merci Little Bean!





Jay also thought it would be funny to give me a Valentine's Day card that was in French...yes it was humorous to see me try and translate it...but what is even funnier is that he can't completely translate it! He did however, get me one in English too! And I also got a gift certificate to Bikram Yoga! Thank you for a gift that I am so excited about!

This afternoon we went to the Centre des Sciences de Montreal. It is in Old Montreal on the King Edward Pier. We took Arabella to see her first IMAX movie. We saw Under the Sea and she enjoyed it. She kept pointing at the screen and saying "fish, fish". The movie was in French which was interesting since there were no subtitles. I am not sure I understood a word that the narrator was saying, but nonetheless, it was still interesting.

Happy Valentine's Day from Montreal! xoxoxoxo

Back to Yoga

This evening I had my first yoga class in over a year. I have been meaning to get back to my lessons, but things were a little too hectic this past year and the timing was just not right. I looked forward to my class all day, not just because it was going to be 90 minutes of relaxation and stretching, but because I was trying a new practice, Bikram. I was also looking forward to the heat as winter is becoming long and cold up here! For those of you not familiar with yoga, Bikram Yoga is done in a room that is heated to 42 degrees celsius / 105 degrees fahrenheit. The room is intentionally heated to warm your muscles and allow you to work deeper and safer. The heat also heals, helps prevent injuries and promotes sweating which flushes toxins from your body. It reduces stress, increases blood circulation, improves strength and flexibility. Regular practice (at least three times a week) can reduce the symptoms of many chronic diseases (i.e. arthritis, diabetes and thyroid disorders). It also promotes relaxation. Bikram Yoga is a demanding 26 pose (asana) series that is an intense and challenging workout.

The heat was pretty intense and you feel as if you are walking into a sauna when you enter the room. I almost felt as if I started to immediately sweat, but that is one of the purposes of this practice. The sweat and heat help you to improve your stamina, increase your muscle tone and lose weight/inches. I actually was surprised at how much I was sweating. During one pose, I looked down and noticed that I had sweat on my toes and it was running down my legs. I am one of those people who actually likes it when I sweat while working out and if I don't sweat I feel like I am not working hard enough. I did get lightheaded a few times, but that is to be expected and with continued practice will go away. I left feeling great, how I feel tomorrow is another story. I am sure I will be a little sore but in an odd way, I love when my muscles have that pain.

Another bonus, the class is taught in French and English so it just might help me in picking up and understanding more French. I am glad I decided to try this class and can't wait to go back!

We Got Them!

One of the hottest selling items in Canada right now are the red mittens that everyone at the Olympics will be wearing. They have been selling out all over the country. As soon as the stores get them in, the fly right out the door. I even received a call from my mom this morning saying that she say the anchors on the Today Show wearing them and that she wanted a pair. She lives in Florida and needs mittens...really?? So Arabella and I ventured out to Zellers to see if they had any in stock. Now we had never been to Zellers before and I was not sure what to expect. I was hoping for a Target like store, but no such luck. It is a step up from Wal-Mart and a step below Target...oh, how I miss Target. But that I will save for another post. Back to the mittens. As soon as you walk in the store, you are bombarded with display after display of Team Canada merchandise. They actually had the mittens hidden in a corner near customer service. There we at least 3 other people there buying them up. I must say that they are pretty cute and nicely made. The inside is nice and soft so they will hopefully keep your hands warm. Yes, Mom, when it gets to be 30 degrees in Florida, I am sure your fingers will stay toasty! With this purchase, Arabella and I have done our part in supporting Team Canada and made one more step of fitting in with the rest of Montreal and Canada!

Little Bookworm

When Arabella takes her nap, she always asks for a book to read. When I went to check on her the other day, this is what I found. She looked too cute not to take a picture!

Valentine's for Arabella

Yesterday, Arabella received the majority of the mail we received from Poste Canada. She couldn't wait to open the envelopes and box that she received. She was so excited I didn't have a chance to fix her messy hair from her nap, she went right to the envelopes! She had fun reading the cards from Grammie, Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill and Aunt Vivi. She even got two really adorable outfits from Aunt Vivi, what a nice surprise and Valentine's present! Arabella is blessed with wonderful family and friends who are more like family. She is one lucky little girl! Thank you all for thinking of her! We miss you and love you. Arabella sends Valentine hugs and kisses your way!

Arabella's Bedroom

I finally finished Arabella's bedroom. The last item was her curtains, and I must say, making curtains is harder than it looks. Good thing I still have the sewing machine that my grandparents gave me as an 8th grade graduation present. For my first time doing something like that I think they came out pretty good. Every now and then I drag it out to do a small project and I am surprised at what I can do. And the only reason that I made the curtains is because I have had a hard time finding curtains that match her bedding now that Pottery Barn has discontinued her bedding set! However, I am not sure that I will attempt curtains again! Despite the color on the walls, the curtains and everything else looks pretty good in her new room. There is plenty of room for her to read and play. Jay put up the book shelf that she had in her room in Ohio as well. She seems to be enjoying the larger room and has made herself right at home!