Cassie is originally from Hingham, MA. She and her family have lived in Weymouth since last fall. Her husband is also a South Shore native. They have two babies, a perfect little boy, Connor who is 6 months and a beautiful pup, Layla, who is just about a year and a half. Cassie and her husband rescued Layla the same week they found out they were expecting, but they wouldn’t have it any other way!
◇ What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore?
I love the South Shore, it has everything to offer! The small downtowns towns of Hingham, Cohasset, and Scituate, the beaches, great shopping at your fingertips, and close enough to Boston for a fun night out.
◇ What do you love to do with your family around town?
Connor is still so young, but he is just starting to really enjoy the fun things around town. We love walking Bare Cove and Nantasket Beach when it is nice out. We also love going to the Hingham Public Library’s story time! Connor loves all the songs and playing with the other children (really just sitting next to and stealing their toys, ha!)
◇ What is your favorite summer activity around here?
I love anything and everything that has to do with being outdoors. Walking Bare Cove, Great Esker Park, Nantasket Beach, Wollaston Beach, and Webb Park are definitely a family favorite.
◇ Favorite family friendly restaurant in the area?
Stars! Hands down. I have to eat gluten free and they have the best gluten free menu, as well as super family friendly. We go roughly once a week for an early dinner, and home in time for bedtime! Even better (on the rare occasion we
have a weekend morning free when we are both home) we love their brunch.
◇ What is your go-to local spot?
I am always on the go, so I love Green Light Smoothie. Call it in ahead of time, grab it, and go! I have been obsessed with the #2 with greens kick lately.
◇ What has been one of your favorite moments as a mom to date?
This is a really hard question. There are so many. I love when Connor is tired and snuggles into my chest, raises his head just a little, then gently places it back down. Or when he grabs onto my finger while nursing, or how he constantly kicks his feet. But, if I had to pick, my favorite moment to date (other than the night he was born and finally being able to kiss and hold him) would be the first time he giggled. We were all in the living room, with Connor on my legs, tickling and making silly faces and talking in those [godawful] baby voices, and he giggled. My heart couldn’t be more full.
◇ What do you find to be the toughest part about being a mom?
I’m going to be brutally honest. The first couple of months I felt like superwoman. I went back to work after 4 weeks (with a helper at work) and I felt like everything was perfect! I had my time with my little one, then when I would go and teach it was my “adult time”, gone for 5 hours max at a time. Connor was (and still is) such a good baby, and I am so lucky for that. But, now at almost 7 months, he is becoming a lot needier, and at the same time so is my job, which is back to teaching 20+ classes a week. I feel like I’m constantly being pulled in every direction, and often feel like I’m never giving everything 100%. What I have to remember is that the house does not always have to be clean and the laundry does not always have to be done. There are times you have to prioritize certain things, and it is OKAY for everything to not be perfect… but accepting that can be very difficult for me.
◇ What is the best advice you have received as a mom?
The best advice I received as a new mom was that everyone was going to have an opinion, a “way” something should or shouldn’t be done, and to take everything with a grain of salt and do what is best for you. As a new mom you question every single little thing . “Should he being doing this? Should I do that? Is this normal?” Everyone has a way they personally did or a way they believe you should do something. What I kept having to remind myself is that everyone and every baby is different, and sometimes you simply need to just hear what people say, but ultimately do what is best for you and your baby.
◇ Must haves for new moms?
So far here are our must haves that we have shared with our friends expecting soon: Boppy, Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Zoli Nail Trimmer (or any electric nail trimmer), Sofie the Giraffe – So Pure Teether (the one with the hands that
doesn’t squeak), Aden + Anais swaddle blankets and SmartNoggin NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle. I could keep going but every baby is so different, therefore requires different things! For moms? A good nursing bra and a baby carrier (that fits!)
◇ What is one thing you never leave the house without?
My pump… as a working mom with a baby who has yet to have formula, the “nursing battle”, as I call it, is CONSTANT. With my job(s) being so physical, keeping my supply up is extremely hard. Luckily, I discovered a car insert that I could plug my pump to for me to pump while driving from one job to the next, and it saved me! So if you ever pull up next to me, there’s a good chance I’m pumping 😉
◇ Tell us about these jobs!
I am a co-owner of Funky Feet School of Dance with Jenn Feeney, Aprile Lynch, and Erin Vardaro in Hingham. We offer all varieties of dance classes from the ages of 2 to 18 and even an adult class. I am also a fitness professional. I teach barre and POUND at Secret Physique Studio as well as cycle at Cycle Town. In addition, I am a master trainer for POUND® Rockout. Workout., where I am lucky enough to travel the United States training individuals how to teach POUND® and
Generation POUND®. Needless to say, I am all over the place. Overall, I believe in the power of music and movement to create environments that elicit confidence, enhance unity, inspire you to love your body and ultimately be your best self.
◇ What is Generation POUND®.?
Generation POUND® was created not just as a workout geared towards kids, but a movement that aims to change the concept of health and fitness for today’s youth. It makes fitness about self-expression, empowerment, self-love and fun by introducing alternative ways to, move, rock, play and make noise!
Thanks, Cassie! TSSM, if you have a little one who would love dance, register for Funky Feet! Keep up with Cassie on instagram and follow along her busy schedule: @fitcassonthego.
