Call me crazy or just a 1st time Mom but as much as I love my son and teaching I also love a good deal. I wish I could say I searched out the product and found the deal but it actually fell right on me (for $9.99) during a trip to Winners many months ago.

Who hasn't heard of Hooked on Phonics? (That's who happens to produce this brilliant package of knowledge.) I don't really have an opinion of programs like these but I do like the fact that it spells out the following:

1. Spend time with your child.

2. Read with your child.

3. Show interest in what they are learning.

4. Show respect for learning and teachers.

5. Spend time with your child.

......I popped in the 1st DVD into the computer when the Sprout was 6 months old. I don't like much TV myself (it sucks me in too easily) but I figured a few minutes with supervision might teach us both how to sit still for 10 minutes a day. I played the DVD maybe 3 times a week and used the signs regularly. When the Sprout was 10 months old- he liked the DVD but showed no interest in signing yet. 10.5 month - boom! The Sprout started to sign for eat, drink, and more! Wow! Even McDreamy and Yoda started using the signs.

Now the Spout is 17months old and he can sign:

eat, drink, more, potty( Mommy's favorite), book (Nana's favorite), water, milk, dog, bird, all done/finished, apple, cracker, cereal and banana.

Yesterday when McDreamy got home form work he got himself a drink form the fridge, The Sprout wandered in the kitchen and signed for a drink, McDreamy asked if he wanted milk or water, The Sprout signed water and drank like a fish. And so......

Sassy went straight to her little computer and ordered this!


Oh yes I did! Any Mother who is up with late night feedings knows this program, its on every night from 1 am -6am straight!
The Sprout is developing quite nicely but I want to give him a little encouragement to speak- the signing is great but our little Sprout only has a handful of words and the 18 months and 50+ word deadline is only a few weeks away. (he does say Mom, Dad, Nana, Pa, go ,dog, go, nooooo, bubbles, ball, birdie, vrooom, boc-boc-bark, moo, roar and dieeeee-(eye, I hope!)
So here we go.......this teacher needs to be taught (that what this DVD/flashcard thing for parents is all about)
Has anybody out there tried this program? Advice?

nana

Nana is doing better. Your prayers and well wishes are working so please don't stop. Missy (my big sis) came for a quick visit from BC, Nana loved that. Aunty Heather is also here keeping a close eye on Nana and getting ready to book Nana's hair and nail appointments for when she is well.
As of 3am this morning, Nana is no longer in ICU- she is one step down in care-a good sign.
Please keep up with the prayers.

Nana Update and Halloween

I'm not sure what to say.....Nana is not doing great. The operation was very hard on her weak body. She has a little pneumonia in one lung and her blood pressure is up.

We went to visit her in our costumes today. The Sprout is still not feeling 100% so we didn't make any other stops for visits. He loved his costume(when Daddy put it on) and fell asleep on the way home form the hospital.

Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers-she really needs them to help her along the path to recovery. She is fighting hard and needs our love. NEEDS our love. Please pray for Nana's comfort(no pain), for her blood pressure to be normal and for no more infections.

It is getting harder to do the everyday things like go to COSTCO or eat supper..........this time last week Nana, Sprout and I were playing ring around the rosie...

puff puff

Nana is still in ICU and has wonderful nurses and Dr's taking care of her.
She is not in pain and is sleeping 99% of the time so her body can heal.
She opened her eyes once yesterday with Yoda.
Rest is best. She needs a little help to breath and the ventilator helps her. She has to initiate the puff and then the ventilator kicks in, amazing machine.
Nana is expected to be ICU for a while longer.
Family is allowed in the ICU 24/7-that really helps.
Yoda is OK-if you see him tell him to get some rest.
I am off to make sure he eats lunch and will try to convince him to nap with The Sprout.
Please pray for no infections, Nana's comfort and strong lungs.

Nana Update...

Thank you for all your kind words.
The surgery went as expected with no major complications.
Today was a bit rough though. As Nana was taken off of oxygen, one of her lungs collapsed. The Dr's fixed her up quickly by putting in a chest tube. When we saw her after that she was doing well (no pain). The Sprout had fun kicking a blown up rubber glove up and down the hallway of the observation unit. (sorry nurses- the other patients and I got a good laugh though! That Grandpa of ours always gets us into trouble!)
Later (about 10 pm) we got a call from the nurse to tell us that it looks like Nana needs a little bit more help breathing so they are going to move her back to ICU and they might have to put her back on the ventalator for a while. Just until she gets a little stronger. I am off to be with Yoda and Nana at the hospital. Will keep you all posted.

share. love. hope.

First Chance!

Thanks for all your GREAT suggestions!

JL-

HOPE

is really hit home with me right now

and Kristy

BALANCE

really looks good in clay.

I'll get your info and pop those into the mail for you this week.

I liked all the other suggestions SO much if you come and see me at the First Chance Sale on Sunday I'll let you have your pick of any clay pendant. Just come and introduce yourself - it would be my honor to meet such smart and sassy gals!

Drum roll please........I will also be posting these in my etsy store later this week. I have opened a store called Sweetsassystudio! I have not posted stock yet but will shortly-stop in and take a peek when you get a chance!

Thanks again everyone!

what do you love?

Life is busy.

I love to be busy but do you ever feel there are just too many things to do and not enough minutes?

I love to spend time with my son.

I also love it when he sleeps.

I love to spend time creating in my studio. (that's what I do when he sleeps if my homework is done!)

I have been making time for myself to do this lately and am having so much fun.

I switch between clay and glass depending on my mood.

Here are a few pendants I made the other day while The Sprout chased his ball around the floor of my studio, thank goodness for in floor heat and shop vacs.

I love my loves but I need a few more ideas for words. Preferably short words.

If I like your idea and use it I'll send you one so don't forget to leave me your email or blog link in the comment box.

Thursdays With Grandpa

Thursday is a special day for The Sprout-he and Grandpa spend the morning together while Sassy learns about Educational Research (eres.800) for 3 hours.

The Spout LOOOOVES his Grandpa.

Sassy LOOOOOVES Grandpa

because he wears The Spout right out.

I repeat right out.

This shopping trip was about a 1/2 hour after a 2 hour nap.

I have no idea what games you play Grandpa but Mothers all over the world would pay big bucks to learn your secrets!

Halloween Soap

Have you seen the cutest soap in the world!

Our good friends at Bath and Body Works will have their work cut out for them when McDreamy arrives with the shopping list I printed out for him in Chicago this week.

H1N1 lookout! This house is stocking up on soap, soap and more soap. I ordered a few extra for The Sprout's Daycare because I thought they were super cute and kid friendly.

What is your favorite hand washing kid trick?