It has been reported by numerous sources that teaching a child (as young as 3 months) sign language will increase their vocabulary, reduce tantrums, give them a hands-on second language, and you will be able to communicate sooner with your child.  Is it true?  If it is, why don’t all parents teach their children sign language? 

I would have to say that it is all true.  I have a 2.5 year old son who has learned sign language.  At 1 year old he was alble to communicate his wants and needs with us.  His father and I never had to guess what is was asking for.  He would sign what he wanted and that was that.  He never got frustrated and never had a tantrum.  He was able to communicate with us before he was able to speak and now has a good grasp on a second language.  I also feel signing has helped him in the learning process.  At 1.5 years, he knew all his letters, could spell his name, count to 20, knew all his colors, not to mention a ton of animals.  It has been amazing to watch as he learns and grows using sign-language.  He is currently teaching his 8 month old sister how to sign.  She signs milk and knows the signs for eat and bath. 

 I would recommend to any parent to teach their child sign language.  It is a fun interactive second language.  If you are interested in learning more about teaching sign-language to your child/grandchild or whoever, check out www.signingtime.com

This Saturday, October 25^th,  I will travel up to Gods country to visit my pal Dennis Fairbanks, in Coarsegold California. We are going to attend the annual Tarantula Festival at Coarsegold Historic Village, located on Hwy 41 in downtown Coarsegold. This year there will be an 8 foot tarantula carved by local woodcarver Wayne Boring. There will be a contest to name the bug that will be a permanent fixture in the area. Who knows this unnamed spider may become as popular as Oakhurst Talking Bear.

The weekend events will include a pumpkin pie contest, scream-off contest, Pizza eating contest and a live Tarantula derby.

Today I took my children to the Historic Cobb Ranch located just North of Fresno off of Highway 41.  When we arrived I did not realize that it cost $5.00 just to enter.  My first thought was to turn around, go to another pumpkin patch, and save that $5.00.  I paid the measley $5.00 and was glad I did.  It was such a cool experience for the children.  The Cobb Ranch really knows how to entertain its guests.  The grounds are unbelievably tidy, there are animals to see, a corm maze to get lost in, a hayride, a train ride and many others attractions.  My children had such a blast.  I was happy to support such a wonderful place.  I know their Christmas Tree Farm is just as exciting and wonderful. 

I remember my first haunted house.  I was scared out of my mind!!!  I vowed I would never go in another haunted house.  After many years, when I was at college, I went with a group of friends to FRIGHTMARE.  This haunted house was in downtown San Diego and it was SCARY.  I will never forget being at the back of the line and feeling our way through the dark.  After screaming the entire way through the haunted house we saw a light at the end of the tunnel.  As the light grew larger and larger we figured we had survived.  That was until a man in a freaky mask came up from behind us and fired up his chainsaw.  My friend and I went from the back of the line to the front of the line in less than 1 second knocking over everyone who was in our way.  As we stumbled over the last person we looked up and saw the busy street of downtown San Diego.  We stood up looked at eachother and turned our heads back towards the exit of the haunted house just in time to see our other friends flying out the door of the haunted house.  We all caught our breath and just started laughing.  From that moment on I was hooked.  Each year I look forward to all the great haunted houses.  As Halloween approaches I can’t wait to go to a haunted house. 

 On that note.  the Sierra Lions Club of Oakhurst is hosting their 2nd Annual Haunted House at the end  of October.  Not only can you attend and get scared out of your wits but you can also sponsor a tombstone.  Let’s join together and help the Lions Club raise money for their organization.  I can’t wait to go! 

A BBQ competition here in Mariposa?  On September 20 the 2^nd Annual “BLAZIN HOG” BBQ Competition will be held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.  Not only will there be food, lots of good food (I suspect), drinks and music but there will be other activities for children.  What a great event to take the entire family to and know that all proceeds will benefit the JCF Hospital Foundation.   If you want more information regarding this event log onto www.blazinhog.com. Enjoy the food!

What are the benefits of living in one of Eastern Madera County’s little communities rather than in a city?   I am sure you asked this same question when you were making the decision to relocate.  Having grown up in the mountains and moving to the city for college, I now look back at my childhood and realize its many benefits, some of which I took for granted.  Living in a small town where you saw familiar faces in the grocery store and waved at the passing cars is something special that you don’t always have in the city.  I realize now how lucky the children are to attend one of our small mountain schools.  With the small classes, teachers are able to give the students more individual instruction, they are able to keep a better tab on the progress levels, and can easily differentiate instruction to meet the many diverse needs in the classroom.  Not to mention our high schools competitive athletic programs.  Our small mountain towns offer fresh, clean air and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.  Living in Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Raymond, or any other of our communities there are many outdoor activities to take part in.  You can go hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, swimming at the lake or a local river, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, snowboarding, snow skiing, or many of the other activities; all this just a short drive away.  These are just a few of the many benefits the small communities of Eastern Madera County have to offer.  Eastern Madera County is a great place to raise a family.

The Beauty that Surrounds us

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  We are so fortunate to have it in our own backyards.  Any day of the year we can visit the valley and enjoy many of the wonderful activities it has to offer.  Just a short drive from Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Coarsegold, Mariposa, Fresno, Merced, or anywhere in the Central, San Joaquin Valley and you can be surrounded by some of the most amazing scenery you will ever experience.  While in the valley you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming in or floating down the Merced River, backpacking, bird watching, camping and much more.  Take a day, get out of the heat, and enjoy what we are so fortunate to have in our backyard. 

Have you forgotten about our local Oakhurst Library?  Our library, tucked behind the fire station on Civic Circle Dr., is often forgotten about and overlooked.  However, you may want to stop by and visit Madera’s Oakhurst Branch Library and see what summer fun they are offering for everyone.  Every Thursday at 10:30 kids can enjoy preschool story time.  In addition to story time, there have been magicians, music, storytelling, and other organized activities.  The library is offering summer reading programs and craft classes for children grades K-8.  The library is not only for the children; adults can enjoy poetry presentations, lectures, art exhibits, concerts, and the relaxing sounds of their grand piano.  The library is a place for all to enjoy.  Stop in and check it out.

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Every day we wake up in some type of mood.  Although we would like to wake up happy and rested, we often wake up depressed, anxious, sad, tired or excited.  We go through each day feeling a variety of ways.  In the book, My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, it talks about different moods and pairs them with specific colors.  As I read this book to my children over and over and over again, they are never bored.  We get the chance to talk about colors and feelings.  Feelings/emotions are important to teach children so they can be aware of how they feel and how to read the way people around them feel.  We have to teach our kids that it is o.k. to feel differently on different days.   It is a terrific and entertaining book to read and share with children.