Cut silhouette

Perhaps you have heard of a cut silhouette... a cute keepsake of a child's profile done by a person with a special skill with scissors.  After finding someone who does these online, we got one of Sam.  In order for the artist to have what they need, you have to get a picture that is "just so"--and after 17 tries, the camera finally produced the perfect pose.  See 1-17 below, along with the final result from the artist--quite nice.

Headset Acquired!

The latest "star" chart is complete and Sam is one piece of audio equipment closer to his dream of being a full-time performer.

Stickers were for complying with various requests from his parents without whining, complaining, or crying.  The requests included: trying to use the potty upon request (or just doing it on his own), washing hands, and eating all (enough) of his food at meal times.  In addition we created some big sticker reward opportunities.  We were having real trouble getting cooperative participation in his soccer class (what happened?! he loved this during the summer) and swim class (again, this was a hit in the summer, but now the lack of Daddy in the pool is an issue)--8 stickers for a soccer class, 10 for swimming.  You may be wondering, does a completed star chart mean it worked?  To an extent.  Soccer is going much better, but he never claimed any swimming-related stickers.  Nearly all of these 239 stickers were one at a time for the potty, hand washing, and occasionally eating without complaint.  In all, I'd say he earned the headset, but it took much longer than thought originally because he did things the long way for the most part--one sticker at a time.

If you don't vote, you don't count!

Shabbatoween 2014 (MANY pictures)

Halloween on a Friday means it's Sam's first "Shabbatoween."
The following photos were taken on 10/30/2014 (jack-o-lantern carving only) and 10/31/2014 (On the day of Sam marched to preschool with his human costumed accessories, acorn and tree, then had preschool Halloween party, followed by helping clean-up, a nap, Shabbat dinner, then trick-or-treating--in an apartment building, plus a few brownstones).