Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Finally it was my turn to be in front of the camera.  I can only cross my fingers and hope that it turns out well. (Click here to see Laura in the Baby Signing Time special feature!)  I was very nervous but everyone was so nice that I was quickly put at ease.  They asked me a little bit about how I came to post my videos of Fireese on You Tube, how it has turned into a great thing for us and the fame it has brought Fireese.  They asked me questions about why signing is so valuable for children and why I love Signing Time.  Because I lecture at universities on the topic of using sign language to promote literacy I felt very confident being able to speak about the benefits of signing.  After the interview with me they had Fireese come in and we did a few shots with the two of us together.  Before we left, they taped my mother and asked her about how signing has impacted her relationship with Fireese.  My mother just adores signing with Fireese and feels that it has been a fun thing for them to do together.  Now Fireese is excited to teach Grandma new signs she learns.  Fireese’s favorite Signing Time video at the moment is The Zoo Train and she has been able to teach Grandma all the animal signs featured in that video.

Tuesday was a much longer shooting day for us and Fireese was quite tired by the time it wrapped up.  We were on the way to a restaurant that Aaron, Rachel’s husband, had recommended to us when Fireese saw the golden arches of McDonalds.  That was it-she had to go there.  We don’t usually take Fireese to McDonalds but because it was a special occasion and Fireese had done such a great job we thought that she was entitled to a McDonald’s celebration lunch.

That afternoon we decided to visit Temple Square.  Salt Lake City is a very interesting city in that it was built around a temple.  All of the streets start from Temple Square and go out in four directions.  You’ll have 100, 200, 300 East, etc, then the same West, South and North.  The city is built on a big grid, which makes it very easy to get around.  We toured the temple grounds and, inside the temple Fireese was so inspired by the giant organ that she sang a little song.

We had heard about Lamb’s Grill Restaurant, which is Utah’s oldest and most famous restaurant.  We couldn’t visit Utah without eating at this legendary restaurant.  Luckily it was within walking distance of Temple Square.  The restaurant was quiet but we had a lovely meal.  After dinner the weather had started to turn so we quickly made our way back to the hotel.  We took advantage of our last night with a pool and went for a pre bedtime swim.  We packed up our bags as we were leaving early the next morning and went to sleep.

We left Salt Lake City early the next morning and the flight was no better than the one going there.  However, we had an amazing time in Utah, Rachel was wonderful and everyone who works for Signing Time were so friendly and welcoming.  We’ll cross our fingers and hope we’ll be asked back for another Signing Time taping!  Thanks Amber, Marcus, Damien, LeeAnn, Emily, Aaron and Rachel for being so wonderful to us!  You made it a truly special and memorable trip for us!

Big hug from Laura and Fireese!