Tuna Lunch

My family really went overboard today. I am not sure if they fished the food themselves or just picked it up at the store but is was just delicious. Sometimes I get to eat what the small guys in the family eat but this was truly amazing. And the flowers? You would think it was my birthday or something. I don't know if they are buttering me up for some unknown situation, but what ever it is, I think it is working.

I think the other blogger who uses this site will be returning soon. Something about a new book review. Hope to be back for some guests spots again soon. Sammy out.

Sammy Drives the Truck

I have been very busy. Driving to school and back almost every day this week has been the highlight of my life. There were a few things I wasn’t expecting though, and really could have used some warning before getting behind the wheel. For example, let’s talk about turning. I am not sure I really like it and if I had it my way, I would just not turn. You can’t tell from my picture (on day three of driving) but my flippers aren’t that long. And my tail barley reaches the seat. This means when the time comes to turn, I end up upside down with little to do but hold on. I cann't see the road and therefore I can’t be responsible for what happens to the truck. Despite the obvious problems with a seal turning a truck, the small children in the truck thought it was the funnest thing they had ever seen. I mean they were laughing so hard you would think they were never going to stop. That part I really liked. So even though I don’t really like being on my head, I kept turning the truck to get us where we needed to go.

I really recommend it to all you stuffed animals. I feel sorry for that pigeon that, no matter how hard he tried couldn't get anyone to let him drive the bus. With that said I do want to take this opportunity to talk about Mo Williams books. Lets just focus on the Pigeon ones because frankly they are my favorite. I am not sure Megan plans to review these books because they aren’t the ones she uses in her practice but I think they are great. First of all, who wouldn’t want to hear what a pigeon is thinking. Pigeons are every where and must have plenty to say. In addition, that Pigeon has a great voice. I can really hear him begging to get his way. Too bad for him he doen's have a cool family like I do. Not to much more to say about Mo's books because I am a Seal you know. Next up, ... Tuna.

Sammy the Cool

Hello all you blog followers, my name is Sammy the Cool and I am happy to finally get a chance to introduce myself. I am an active member of the Jessop family and tend to go most places that they do. They are actually a pretty cool family and that is partly where I got my name, Sammy the Cool. It doesn't hurt that I have the most amazing blue sunglasses. You can see me wearing them is this picture. I guess you might be wondering why I am sitting in a diaper bag. Well frankly I wish I wasn't but sometimes I just have to go with the flow and this is where I ended up this weekend.

It all started at the zoo. One of the smallest members of the family brought me along but all of a sudden the Lion at the zoo started to roar. Yes, that is right, he started to roar and the smallest member of the family just dropped me in the bag and took off running. I was a little bummed out he didn't take me with him but I did hear the whole thing. It was pretty cool, almost as cool as me.

I am not sure what the family has in store for me this week but it might involve eating tuna or driving the car, things I have been asking to do for some time now but so far they haven't let me. I hope to be back soon and keep you posted. Let me know what you think of my cool sunglasses.

Is Winnie the Pooh Real?

After dinner this evening the question of whether or not Winnie the Pooh was real came up. My three year old answered “yes” while my almost six year old said “no”. I thought this was interesting so I asked a bit more. "How do you know Winnie is real?" I asked my three year old and his answer was simply "because". He gave me a very big smile and walked away. To my six year old I asked, "How do you know he is not real?" His answer went something like this. "Winnie the Pooh is on the Disney channel and anything on the Disney channel is not real. And he is also in a book, not in real life. Maybe Christopher Robin is real but not Winnie. He is a bear you know."
It was a mouth full and hard to argue with, but I tried any way. I offered, "I think he is real because he has been around longer than me." This just got a lot of laughs. So I thought I would ask my six year old again, do you think he could be real? The answer was still no. There was no swaying that boy.
So I have to wonder, what happens between three and six? Well for starters, Winnie the Pooh goes from real to unreal with no doubt about it. Things start to cement, solidify and get very clear. I mean if it is on the Disney channel, it just can’t be real. These are words to live by. I guess this is a good thing. I mean, we can’t go around believing in walking, talking, honey loving bears forever can we? I guess I was kind of hoping we could. What is your vote? Winnie the Pooh, real or not real? I say real.

Children's Book Review: Owen By Kevin Henkes

Getting back to the results of the poll I ran, the first runner up of topics for my blog was Children's books I love to recommend in my therapy practice. The first book for this review series is Owen by Kevin Henkes. Keenly hidden within a great main character Owen a mouse, and a simple story about a beloved attachment object fuzzy yellow blanket, is a great message for parents that you will receive without notice. Just how you want it right? Owen is getting ready for school and isn't going to be able to bring blanket along. So mom and dad, and a very nosey neighbor have to figure out a way to help him make the brake. I love the real developmental issues being use perfectly to make this story so easy to relate to.

One of my favorite aspects of my work is looking for creative ways to help parents and children when they are stuck. The story Owen is a perfect example of taking a difficult growing moment and making it meaningful and joyous.

If you have never read this book I think you will really enjoy the story and the message. I would love to here your thoughts from those who have read the book a hundred times to those who have just checked it out for the first.

Nothing Growing

Home from the conference and not a sprout to be found. I had high hopes that upon my return I would find a cabbage or radish seed busy making a plant for us all to see. No such luck. I am now wondering if the importance of real salt water is what was needed to replicate what Darwin had done so many years ago. Or maybe it wasn't seeds but the whole plant he floated. Either way, there is another round of this study ahead for me. I am planning a trip to the west coast soon and will see about starting the experiment when I get there. I asked if west coast blog followers would give the experiment a try but not takers yet. I guess the seeds still might sprout but I planted some other seeds next to the experimental seeds and they have all started to sprout. Maybe salt water slows the process? Who knows. Darwin I guess.

As for the conference, many new seeds are also on their way to being planted. I had the oppurtunity to hear a number of insperiring writer and editors (and one agent) talk about their experience in the writing and publishing world. It is such a dynamic world full of suprizes and talanted writers. I am hoping to keep up my practice and hopefullly some day publish.