Nate's Thoughts on Stuttering

Today, Nate & I attended the NSA sponsored Stuttering Youth Day event at ASU.  It just happened to coincide with International Stuttering Awareness Day!

We had a wonderful morning at the event (I'll share more in a couple days) and then headed over to a pumpkin patch so the kids get find pumpkins, and then to the Phoenix Food Truck Festival to finish up our long day.  I tell you all of this as a preface, so you know that he made this video after a long day!  He wanted to share his message, though, so here it is!

Stuttering Awareness Day - October 22

October 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day. The sweet boy pictured above is the reason I even know such a day exists.

Nate stutters.  He has stuttered since he was about 3 years old, and has had speech therapy for the last 2 years.  His stutter never stops him from communicating with others, or sharing his story.  He just keeps trying until he finally is able to get all the words out.

Last October, I saw a mention of a "Stuttering Youth Day" at ASU someplace online.  I looked into it further, and registered for the event.  I had never heard of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) before then, but I wanted to learn more about how to help Nate stop stuttering.

I learned so much at that morning event.  Most importantly, I learned that the important thing is NOT helping Nate stop stuttering -- but to accept his stutter as an integral part of who he is.  I learned about research done about stuttering, and how it is unlike most other speech impediments.  I learned that people who stutter make up only about 1% of the population.  I learned how much my boy liked listening to others who stutter.

That doesn't mean that we don't want to help him learn tools to control his stutter when he makes the choice to do so.  Stuttering affects him physically and sometimes is very uncomfortable.  Many people don't want to take the time to let him finish his own sentences.  Others are just plain rude when he tries to communicate.  But, we acknowledge that he will probably always stutter.  And, that's okay!

Learning about the NSA, and the local kids chapter in our area, has made a huge difference in how we think about stuttering, and what we know about stuttering.  We happily attended events locally, and then made the effort to attend the National Conference over the summer.  Nate has now met tons of people who stutter and he is richer because of it.

Right now, Nate is struggling mightily with his speech.  The speech therapist he had been working with moved to a different school and he's not clicking with the new SLP.  He finds it hard to remember to use his tools and his secondary behaviors are very strong these days (physical manifestations of his stutter that cause him to strain his neck and shoulders and bob his head). We can always understand him, but more often he is asking us to order for him at restaurants to avoid the entire situation of trying to order a meal.

What I know, though -- thanks to the NSA and all the wonderful people we have met through the NSA -- is that his speech will get better, and maybe even worse.  But, there are those who will support him.  Help him.  Those who are just like him and struggle with fluent speech.  He can be in touch with others who truly understand what it's like to stutter.

Tomorrow , Nate and I are attending our 2nd Youth Day Event.  Nate is looking forward to it, and plans to wear his sea-green shirt (the awareness color for stuttering)  We'll both proudly wear our "Stutter Like a Rockstar" bracelets.  We'll learn more about stuttering.  Meet more people who stutter and those who love those who stutter.  Most importantly, we'll be reminded that we are not alone.

Click here to read more of my posts about stuttering. 

Totino's Fun Friday Nights (Giveaway!)

 Our schedule has filled back up now that school is in session and I'm healthy again!  Almost every night finds us with extracurricular activities, and since my 3 kids are all in different activities, it's pretty hectic.

We can usually count on Fridays being free for family fun, so I thought this pack I received thanks to BlogSpark, Totino's and Redbox was especially wonderful.

Not only did we receive coupons for wonderful Totino's pizza treats, but we received a coupon for a free movie rental from Redbox AND a couple fun pizza plates, a popcorn box and a fancy pizza cutter.

I don't know about you, but I love being able to relax in my living room, surrounded by my family, enjoying snacks and watching a good, family-friendly movie.  If you're like me, I'd love for you to enter my giveaway so I can send you the same wonderful prize pack.

Enter my giveaway by CLICKING HERE and filling out the form with the necessary information.  You'll need the information listed below to fill it in properly.  (You can also click on the link in the right column to read my giveaway rules)

GIVEAWAY NAME: Totino's Fun Friday
MANDATORY QUESTION: Which Totino’s pizza variety and movie is your family most looking forward to enjoying on your Fun Friday Night?

The giveaway ends October 31, 2011.  The winner will be chosen by entering the number of entries into random.org.  Good Luck!






Even if you don't win the giveaway, you can still save with Totino's and Redbox!

• Look for specially-marked packages of Totino’s Pizza Rolls and Party Pizzas to stock up on everything you need for a Fun Friday Night: purchase 4 Totino’s Party Pizzas or 2 Totino’s 40 count Pizza Rolls to receive a free one-day redbox DVD promo code that can be redeemed at the following:


• Rolls: totinosfridaynight.com/redbox_pizzarolls


• Pizza: totinosfridaynight.com/redbox
• With more than 27,800 locations, and available nationally at Walmart, there’s always a redbox kiosk nearby! Find the closest redbox kiosk by checking redbox.com/locations.

ETA:  Winner has been selected and contacted.  Thanks for reading!!

Disclosure: The VIP coupons, prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by Totino’s through MyBlogSpark.

Tell Me Thursday - Toes in the Sand

Last week, we were on vacation in California.  One of my absolute favorite places to be is the beach -- and since we were able to get away for 10 days, we were able to enjoy visiting new places AND relaxing on the beach for hours.

It was a perfect vacation.

And when I need to relax, I'll pull up my pictures of the sand and the surf and remember relaxing on the beach watching my kids play. 

Star Wars Themed Cereals (giveaway!)

When I opened the box with these cereal boxes inside, Colin's first response was "Why are they sending you cereal?" But, when he pulled them out and caught a look at the Star Wars artwork on the back, he said "Ohhh, cool!!"

As you can see, when you get 3 of the specially marked boxes (available exclusively at Wal-Mart), you can have a neat panorama of Star Wars on your counter! You can also hear how disappointed the kids will be when you suggest that the boxes be put away in the pantry!

I am excited that I can send one of my readers their own special Star Wars Themed boxes, as well as a $35 gift card to Wal-Mart. My kids were very excited when the latest 9 disc, Blu-Ray release of Star Wars The Complete Saga that was first available for sale September 16.  They insisted that we put our gift card towards the purchase of a set for themselves. What do you think you will pick up with yours if you win?


If you would like a chance to win these neat boxes of cereal and a Wal-Mart gift card, please enter my giveaway by CLICKING HERE and filling out the form with the necessary information.  You'll need the information listed below to fill it in properly.  (You can also click on the link in the right column to read my giveaway rules)


GIVEAWAY NAME: Star Wars
MANDATORY QUESTION: What will you pick up with the gift card if you are chosen?

The giveaway ends October 26, 2011.  The winner will be chosen by entering the number of entries into random.org.  Good Luck!

ETA:  Winner has been selected and contacted.  Thanks for reading!! 


*Disclosure: The cereal, gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.*

Wordless Wednesday - Toes in the Sand

Be back soon

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Review: Weight Watchers Ice Cream Treats

I recently had the chance to try out 4 different Weight Watchers ice cream products.  I was sent one box each of:

·         New Weight Watchers Snack Size Ice Cream Sandwiches
·         New Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bars
·         New Weight Watchers Strawberry Fruit Bar
·         Weight Watchers Strawberry Smoothie Bar

It's hard to declare a favorite, but I think the Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bar would top my list of favorites.  The chocolate coating was perfectly crisp, and the caramel swirls through the ice cream gave the perfect amount of added sweetness.

The treats arrived in a cooler full of dry ice.  I was pleased that even in the 105+ degree weather, all my treats were ice cold when I opened the box.  And, my boys were thrilled to play with the dry ice!  Their uncle came over the next day and did a few experiments with the dry ice with them and they had a blast.

One thing that I really appreciate about the Weight Watchers products is that the portion size is smaller than traditional products. The portion size seems much more realistic!  I am able to enjoy a treat, without worrying about a crazy calorie count.  The Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bar has only 130 calories (and 3 pts if you're following Weight Watchers plan).  That's a great snack or dessert that doesn't cause any guilt from enjoying.

My second favorite was the Strawberry Fruit bar.  I have always loved fruit bars, and this one wasn't too sweet and it also wasn't too hard.  I've had some fruit bars that are very hard, but this one had a great texture. It's made with real fruit and has only 70 calories per par.

My kids really liked the ice cream sandwiches.  I liked the smaller size, which meant that it didn't turn into a melted mess before Lydia could finish one.  The boys also liked that the box had both vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream options.  I confess I only got a bite of each bar and the kids ate the rest of the box (not in one sitting!!)

Finally, the Strawberry Smoothie bar was delicious.  These bars had only 60 calories each, but you would never know that they weren't a high calorie food.

We are pretty happy in Arizona right now that it's fall.  For us, that means that the high temperature may only hit 101, and if we're lucky the high may only be 96.  That means that eating ice cream as a treat is still a natural choice in our lives.  These Weight Watcher ice cream treats taste indulgent and delicious, but I know they aren't pushing my calories over the limit for the day. 

I have purchased Weight Watcher products for many years and have always been pleased by the flavors, portion sizes and variety that their products provide.  These new ice cream treats fit in perfectly!  


*Disclosure: I received 4 boxes of ice cream treats, thanks to Mom Select and Weight Watchers to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Tell Me Thursday -- Superstition Farm

This is one of the cows living at Superstition Farm in Mesa.  On Thursday evenings, they have a Farmer's Market with fresh produce, local honey (the kids LOVE the honey), grass fed beef, fresh ice cream, and more.

When you drive up, you can see the herd of cows.  That is one of Lydia's favorite parts of visiting.  She likes to talk to the cows and was pretty miffed last week when they backed away when she came up to the fence.

What made me laugh the hardest, though, was when she noticed the tag on each cow's ear.  She turned to me and said "They're all for sale!  Mom, can we just buy one?"

The farm also has a food truck -- Super Farm Truck -- and we enjoyed dinner last week from the truck.  Lydia and Colin enjoyed the kids dog plate, Bo and Nate enjoyed juicy burgers with potato puffs and I had a grilled cheese with apple slices (which usually also has bacon, but they ran out that night).
 

We're happy to support local businesses, and I'm glad they stuck it out through the summer and will continue through the fall season.  My boys always insisted they didn't like honey, until they had the raw honey from Made By Bees.  I'm glad, because honey is the best cure for a sore throat!

If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking out the Superstition Farm on Thursday nights.  You'll find friendly people, great products, and you can even have dinner.  You can find them on the web, or on Facebook.

*Disclosure:  Nobody asked me to write this post.  I did it just because we enjoy our time there! *

And one last note, I know I missed a bunch of "Tell Me Thursday" posts.  Life has been extremely hectic lately, but I'm hoping that it will slow down a little bit and I can keep up with everything.  Some of those Wordless Wednesday posts of the past need their stories shared, so I will get to those as soon as I can!

Review: Soap Time (giveaway!)

I love that we get to try out some of the coolest new things that come on the market!

SoapTime® is a soap system that entertains kids and helps them wash their hands long enough to scrub away germs.  Different shaped soaps fit on the base, and when you press the dispenser, the base lights up and sings a song or shares a fun fact.  It's active for about 20 seconds, which is how long we're encouraged to wash our hands to get rid of germs.  Each soap bottle has a different theme with different songs and facts.

This system has been in our bathroom for a week or so now, and every once in a while I still hear a giggle when the kids wash their hands.  I also like it because it's a lot harder for them to just swish their hands under the running water for a second. 

Lydia was happy to do a video review, so here it is!


Thanks to Mom Select and SoapTime, I have a set of SoapTime® to share with one of my readers!  As always, please CLICK HERE to fill out my giveaway form.  The information you need to fill out the form is:

Giveaway Name: SoapTime®
Mandatory Question: How do you encourage regular hand washing?

Good Luck!  I will choose a winner on October 3, 2011.

Lydia wants me to tell you all that she forgot to say that the soap also smells really good!

You can learn more about the system at their website.  You can find the system at Bed, Bath & Beyond right now, and it should be available at more stores soon.

*Disclosure: I received SoapTime® from Mom Select and SoapTime in order to facilitate a review.  They also provided the giveaway product for one of my readers.  No additional compensation was provided.*