Newport Connext | the go-to guide connecting savvy moms to their community & local family living

Tuesday’s Talk: Insomnia Be Gone!
02/21/12 Kellie: Contributor

Anyone who ever has experienced temporary insomnia knows it’s not pretty. And the label “insomniac” sounds just as awful as the condition itself. Besides the under-eye bags that for sure would get that extra-weight fee, there are many, many signs of insomnia.

Pouring half-and-half in your kid’s Cheerios, looking for your car keys when they’re in your hand all along, looking down your body—while already at the gym—to make sure you put your pants on. And the topper? Heading out of the gym with the disinfectant spray bottle and snapping out of it only upon hearing someone say, “You want some rags to go with that?”

After a month-long battle that I clearly was losing, I realized that something just had to change. Refusing to take synthetic sleeping pills, I kicked in my competitive nature. Game on, Insomnia! You’re going down!

For me, initially falling asleep wasn’t the problem. It was the waking up for a couple hours in the wee hours that did me in. All the usual tricks—give up wine/bourbon/coffee/etc., move to the sofa to change the scenery, read War and Peace—were not working. Insomnia was winning. The bags were getting heftier. I was destined to show up pantless for my 5:15am spin class, etc., etc.

Fortunately, I have serendipity on my side. Happenstance entered my loopy, foggy, surreal midnight world in the form of a brown bear Pillow Pet my son left on the sofa. Having moved downstairs one night so as not to wake my husband, I went with “It’s a pillow!” and burrowed in. Eureka! “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? I see Sleep staring at me!” Who would have thunk it? That was the most comfortable damn inanimate pillow I’ve ever encountered. Not too thick. Not too firm. I think I found a cure—if only for one good night of sleep.

Perfectly content with the frog Pillow Pet my children have since given me, I nevertheless ponder the possibilities of more adult-themed Pillow Pets to help the many other insomniacs out there. And so the fun begins.

My husband’s choice is obvious. Let’s just say that it would come in size 36D (clearly a fantasy). His other choice? An Ashley Judd Pillow Pet; yes, Ashley’s been his fanciful “hall pass” for many years. For me, a Brad Pitt Pillow Pet? No, thank you. While the profitability of a Brad pillow would be enormous, he just doesn’t do it for me. Not only would visions of him from that God-awful “Benjamin Button” movie ruin my sleep; I would worry about sleep-drooling all over that pretty face.

Hmmmm. So where does that leave me? Two words: Vladimir Mayakovsky. Who needs Brad when you’ve got Vlad? Allow me to present this Russian poet in all of his “red” hotness: http://www.academic.marist.edu/nork/vladimir.htm. Did somebody say “hall pass”? Dang! That pass expired in 1930. I’ll “settle,” then, for an Ashley Clark Pillow Pet. Curious minds can inquire at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVgcxBUMviw DANG!!! The yin and yang of the Ashleys!

But I digress. The comfy Pillow Pet was just one piece of the puzzle. I admittedly completed the puzzle with the help of Larry, Jan, and the awesome crew at Nature’s Goodness in Middletown. They armed me with “Calm” magnesium fizz and some natural melatonin, and the ZZZZZ’s soon followed. I’ve unpacked those bags under my eyes. I don’t have to affirm the presence of pants anymore. And I’ve quit five-fingering Fantastik!

Insomnia, I win! Your goose is cooked!

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Family Fun: 2012 Newport Winter Festival
02/15/12 Alexandra: Editor

It’s here, school’s winter vacation and our local Newport Winter Festival. For all of us on “staycations”, don’t you fret, while our pals are off skiing or sunning (a tiny whimper just popped up from my throat) Newport is jam-packed with family adventures perfectly fit to make any day fly by.

We happily scooped all this kid fun activity over on our city’s savvy blog, From Stem to Stern, a blog I highly recommend you check out on all the happenings of Newport. Here are our top picks for the 10-days of family fun that begins this weekend all about town:

HOW TO SPEND AN HOUR (OR TWO )HAPPILY “KID BUSY”

Family Night at O’Brien’s: 02/17 5:00-8:00pm
Turns out your favorite Thames Street pub is opening its doors to a fun early evening of kid entertainment with songsters Joop & Jake performing, as well as kids eat free with the purchase of mom and dad’s meal. Um, yes please. Bring the kiddos on down for a slice of pub life and have a very happy, happy hour (wink).

Ice Carving & Ice Sculptures: 02/18 11:00am
Bundle the children up in their warmest hats, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and walk amongst the array of sculptures all handcrafted by local artisans. Now, these stay about so you can come at anytime, but its always fun to watch the kids’ jaws drop as the artists crank up a chainsaw or jigsaw in front of them. 12 Long Wharf Mall

Samuel Adams Annual Chili Cook-off: 02/18 11:00am-3:30pm
What kid doesn’t love chili? Grab a cup and place your vote. Newport Harbor Hotel

Children’s Fair with Radio Disney: 02/19 & 02/20 11:30am-4:00pm
We love this fair! Let the kid’s run about, release some much needed energy, and enjoy a day full of face-painting, reptile shows, crafts and bounce houses. We love this 2-day event, think of it as an indoor carnival perfectly fit for all kiddos to have fun! Newport Marriott

Family Scavenger Hunt: 02/19 Starts at Noontime
Whose family is savvy enough to run around town and seek clues for a winning prize? The top two family and adult teams will win some great local goodies after this fun-filled jaunt all up and down Newport. Go get your game face on!
The Newport & Bristol County Visitor’s Center

Ice Skate Camp: 02/20-02/23 8:30am-9:30am
Skate camp is going on Monday-Thursday. Let the kiddos enjoy an hour of instruction, and practice time, as they top it off with a cup of hot chocolate!
Newport Skating Center, 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue)

A Princess Party at 41North: 02/21 1pm-3:30pm
Who wants to play princess for a day?! Calling all mini-queens over for a royal afternoon full of sweetness and tiaras. Space limited to 100 so reserve you ticket now! 41North, 351 Thames Street

Kids Tennis Lessons: 02/21 2pm-3pm & 02/23 2:30-3:30pm
Calling all tennis buffs, and moms who want an afternoon athletic activity for the kids! Come let them serve and play tennis. Ages 5 – 18. Class size is limited. Advance registration requested – 401-849-4777. Hall of Fame Indoor Tennis Club

Family Night at The Rhino Bar & Grille: 02/21 6:00pm-9:00pm
From the kids karaoke to the M&M sundaes, I have a feeling this will fit every kid’s appetite! Rhino Bar & Grille, 337 Thames Street

Teddy Bear Story Time: 02/22 11:00am
Milk & cookie time! Come bring your favorite Teddy Bear and listen to the musical storyteller Christopher ‘Kavi’ Carbone sing some songs and tell some stories of the wonders of winter. Hampton Inn & Suites 317 West Main Road

Kids Dance Party with Dance Force: 02/22 6:30pm-8:30pm
Whose got some moves? Seems the Mambo Room is making some space for the high-energy dance troop, the Dance Force, to show at kids some of the latest cool dance moves. Get dancing!The Mambo Room 337 Thames Street

12th Annual “Live Jazz for Kids”: 02/23 1:00pm-4:00pm
This is always a fun free event that kids enjoy. With he music set for the kiddos, let them bop back and forth as you taste a glass of wine or just enjoy the barn ambiance.
Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth

Chicken Wing Cook-off: 02/25 Noon-3:30pm
My six-year old son is so excited about this cook-off (so is his dad). Come taste all the spicy & sweet wings and place your votes. Be sure to say “hi” if you spot my kid chowing down with his dad. Newport Hyatt on Goat Island

Beach Polo: 02/25 & 02/26 2:30pm
Do not miss this. Come enjoy what makes Newport so special, as the Newport International Polo Series sponsors two entertaining games of polo on the beach. It’s beautiful and exciting. The kids love this. Easton’s Beach

Sand Sculpting Day & Kid’s Festival Day: 02/26 11:00am-2:00pm
The kid adventure begins with a block hunt at 11:00am! Get on down to the beach, it’s the last hurrah of the festival! It’s going to be a fun filled day full of entertainment, a kid block hunt party, a plunge (brrr…), and sand sculptures. No one is ever too old to enjoy walking a beach full of five feet sand castles and sea creatures finely detailed down to their last scale. Easton’s Beach

For more 2012 Winter Festival activities and information, head over to Newport Winter Festival. You’re going to love the deals and happenings all about town!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!
02/13/12 Alexandra: Editor

I love any day that celebrates sharing sweet noted endearments with the ones we love. Whether my flowers come in the form of a FedEx delivery, or a handpicked palm full of sweets, or a blooming art bouquet tenderly drawn colorfully in crayons..cupid always manages to aim his arrow right into my house.