Merry Christmas!

My little Christmas tree back in Canberra. :) It was a Christmas present from Rish about 6 years ago. I love it!

I’m off to my sister’s soon for lunch – but I have the sorest throat I’ve had in a while so just need to keep up that water!

I hope you all have a great day!
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The Gift of Pop-Up Pirate

Working with kids, you have to have sure-fire ways to keep them on track.

One of those ways is the simple, yeat very effective Pop-Up Pirate.

The idea is simple. Kid does something you want, you give verbal praise and then a plastic sword to them to stab into the barrel to see if they can make the pirate leap out and up into the air. Basic extrinsic rewards. Usually, I use it with articulation therapy. Kid attempst their target sound at their level e.g. /k/. They have a go, if they get it great! I give them a sword “well done, that was such a lovely /k/ sound”, then step it up a notch, e.g. two /k/ sounds. The kids love the pirate, so in group sessions we tend to have it as the final group activity where the kids come back into the circle and then we reinforce to them and their parents what they are to work on until the next session.

So, when Carmen tells me this afternoon that Big W has them on sale for $10, I decide that I must get a couple to wrap and put under the giving tree someplace. It’s a fun game even if you’re not doing therapy with it… and if they are doing some sort of reward system, then I’m sure it’s a welcome bonus! :) If you have kids under about 8, I’d certainly recommend it for an inexpensive gift. Or for a niece and nephew! :)

Music to Write By

So, I’m currently listening to the “Holiday Pop” channel at AccuHolidays Radio. Apparently, just by listening I’m helping charity, which is always an added incentive.

OMG It’s No Doubt.

*sets into writing her Chrissy cards*

Pussycat Dolls!

The Start of the Cards

After spending time of Saturday night Wikipedia-ing Penguins trying to figure out if there was one from Argentina, I’ve recived my first Chrissy card, with a penguin on it. FromEva! Thanks! It’s even all sensory – felty and I can run my fingers along its blackness :)

Admitedly, it wasn’t really the first card of the year – there was of course the one from the re-elected member for Canberra Annette Ellis. I can tear the front off, and it becomes a handy 2008 calendar for the fridge. Excellent.

I have written and posted a total of three cards this year. I have stamps and cards for all the local ones I need to do – hopefully I’ll get myself into gear tomorrow while Rish is on the coast and write them out, and get them in the mail before the end of the week. At least they should get to their destinations in time!

In work Kris Kringles, I have scored this year – a pencil set that can be decoraated with pipecleaners, toy microphones, and today – Lip Smackers Strawberry Hair Detangler spray. Yes, it was the gift I put in, and I scored it :) At least I didn’t walk away with the chewable vitamin C I put in for the team kris kringle!

Hello, December!

December is here!

20 more work days!

24 Days until Christmas!

25 Days until I fly to New Zealand!

31 Days until 2008!