Octopus? Dolphin?

I'm finally up and running again at HOPE Center. With vacation, Eric's schedule and life just happening, I've been away for a couple of months. Usually I'm the lone ranger at the front desk, but yesterday I had a partner: the new intern. And she's deaf. I was told this and I instantly searched my brain of all of the sign language I know...and then I realized how impractical my limited sign language skills actually are. Do you think she wants a glass of "milk"? "More" paper clips? "All done" with the stapler? I've never felt so paralyzed in my life. I wanted to talk to her...tell her I liked her tattoo. Loved her dreads. And just make small talk. Small talk gives me comfort. But I couldn't. HOPE Center, of course, is on top of their communication efforts though. They have a very cool instant messaging type system for people like me who don't know sign language. So we did have our formalities and introductions via that system. But I needed more. I found myself catching her attention and showing her that I know how to sign "octopus" and "dolphin"...as she kinda giggled at me, the director explained that I have a toddler at home (hence the kooky signs). *sigh*

However, I was most amazed yesterday that I was the minority at the office -- most everyone knew sign language. Just another reason for me to admire those ladies at HOPE Center. I go back in a couple of weeks and am determined to learn by then how to tell her that I like her dreads and tattoo. :)

Henry the Magician

Like all aspiring magicians, Henry has been working on his "disappearing object" trick for months. Months. And he finally has it down. He can close a book and say, "Jack go?" and then frantically search the pages and find Jack jumping over the candle stick on page 26 of Mother Goose's nursery rhymes, to which he says "Dare e sss (there he is)!" This is usually partnered with a high-pitched squeal and giggle as he realizes how surprised we are. Now as I said above, this trick did not get perfected over night. Henry has really spent some quality time on this one.... We've been diligently practicing by putting animal crackers down our shirts, trucks in our pj's, and sippy cups in mom's sock drawer.

[Note to reader: I actually do see him put any of the said objects in their respective hiding places. However, I have missed a few of the "Where go?" questions of Henry. This morning there was a ball at the feet of his pj's. And a few days ago I pulled him out of his high chair only to find no less than 10 raisins fall to the floor.]

I think I'll try to get Henry to perform a magic show soon. Tickets will be $1 and all proceeds will go toward a rabbit (so that he can pull him out of a hat one day).

Well, off to pack. I'm headed to GF to visit my BF (yes, I thought that was clever) this weekend.