Petty Vices

Language and cultural learning for babies and toddlers

My sister is interested in putting my brilliant and adorable nephew in some language classes to get him started early, and asked me if I could find some classes out there for her (I'm a librarian so I'm pretty good at finding info faster than most people).

I was amazed at all of the choices for baby, toddler and pre-kindergarten language lessons; the Seattle area has more to offer than I ever realized. I know we're cool and all, but we're even cooler than I thought. =*)

I thought others might benefit from these findings, too, so here they are (my apologies if you are outside of the area; I hope your locations have as many choices.

 

Sponge Schooloffers classes for babies and children up to 7 years old

Seattle German American School has classes for 3 years+

French Immersion School of Washington offers classes starting at 2 ½ years (when that young they are classes for the child with a caretaker)

French American School of Puget Sound offers Young Pre-Kindergarten classes (or YPK as they call them)

Alliance Francaise de Seattle offers classes starting with toddlers (also with the little ones accompanied by a caretaker, like the Immersion school)  

Beyond Frontiers has Spanish classes for children starting at age 3

Poly-Glot Tots in Phinney Ridge offers classes in four languages to kids 18 months+  

Washington International School offers Chinese classes for pre-K kids

Zoom Language Center in Ballard offers Spanish classes for children starting at age 1

Visually Speaking – an American Sign Language school for hearing children 

Music Works NW is a school focused on teaching children musical skills  & appreciation – they have classes for babies on up .

Music Center of the NW offers early childhood education classes/experiences starting at 6 months

Thrive Art School starts classes for children at 3 ½ years

MoonPaperTent has all kinds of art, theater, storytelling, dress-up…etc. classes for babies on up; Note: they also have a parents night out for kids 4+

Exciting news!!!

It's official, M and I are engaged and I've now got a beautiful ring to prove it. It's a vintage late deco style (1940) white gold ring. I love it! I love M. Happy days!!

I've always wanted an antique ring and this one jumped out at us as perfect, in part because it has two diamond crowns flanking the center diamond, which is particularly cool because my name (Gina) means "queen." How cool is that?

Nephew's First Halloween

Priceless li'l pumpkinhead...

My Nephew Arrives!

I got a brand new baby nephew last week. He's the bomb. His eyes are my sister's and his mouth is his daddy's...I am so excited I'm beside myself.

Beef for Dad

So instead of sailing or globes, I bought my Dad some NY strips and hamburger. Sounds a little odd, I know, but he has watched his cholesterol for a long time and therefore doesn't eat much red meat (yet he has always missed it). When I came across grass-fed beef and learned that it is more akin to chicken in terms of saturated fat content, I thought he'd appreciate a little. Evidently he used to carry it in his restaurant years ago and might do so again. He's thinking about it.

Whole Foods carries a good selection of grass-fed, organic, free-range meat and poultry; Time magazine published a recent story called The Grass-Fed Revolution that talks about its resurgence.

Also, for any Michael Pollan The Omnivore's Dilemna readers, Whole Foods has published an open letter where they talk freely about their practices (Pollan wrote a book criticizing the food and grocery industries; Whole Foods agrees with much that he says but points out how they work hard to be different and corrects some misinformation).

Perhaps a Necktie?

Why are Dads so hard to buy for? Maybe that's just the case for daughters. Regardless, here comes Father's Day and I'm beginning the process of gift deliberation. Some options I'm considering:

The Swiss Card - an urban tool kit that fits in your wallet

Levitating Globe (either one linked left or a larger sized version) - electromagnetic forces make the globe maintain a suspended state

Intro to Sailing class - a three hour tour on Puget Sound (alas, no desert islands!)

Subscription to Popular Science magazine

Ideas welcome!

Peanut is coming

I've just learned that I shall be an aunt.

I thought it may never happen & my poor aging parents would remain grandchildless forever...and while I know they love my little Lucy Lui, I know they have been disappointed with my stubborn refusal to breed a mini-me.

Regardless. R is having what she currently refers to as "the Peanut" (how cute is that)?

I can't wait to buy new little things...I've been surfing so that I will have ample choices once the time comes.  China Sprout has darling little Asian baby outfits and onesies, for an exotic touch. Chinaberry (not Asian, despited its Asian-esque name) has a great selection of books for the Peanut; Blik has some great wall art that will make his/her room fit for an infant hipster...and just look at all the fun stuff at Uncommon Goods -- I adore the Monkeys on the Bed kit! I wonder how old the Peanut will have to be for that? Hmmmm...