The past few weeks seem to have zipped on by! How does that happen, seriously??? Summer is fading fast, the sun is setting earlier and the nights here in Minnesota are already dipping back into the 50s.
One of my goals this summer was to ditch the TV (more often) and read again! I used to devour a stack of books when I had free time. Though my free time is relegated to after Cole goes to sleep, I was determined to at least get through a few titles since my HAVE READS thus far this year have been a measly five or so and my TO READS are literally fifty plus!
I have also breathed a sigh of relief recently as Cole has taken to loving books. In previous months, Cole was not at all interested in being read to nor in turning pages. This activity required him to SIT and/or be still and SIT (and be still) are not in his list of action verbs. Even at Montessori when many of the other kids are hanging out in the circle listening to story time, my little guy is moving around the room, listening I'm sure but on his terms.
However, one fine day, when for the umpteenth time I attempted to read to him, he engaged and let me actually read the text on the pages! He now readily picks up a book from the various bins I have placed around the house for him and comes to us with the "ummm, can you read to me?" look in his eye as he holds the book out. He gets impatient if you don't comply so I do try to remember that it is important to stop what I am doing (within reason) and foster his desire to READ!
Now it is so cute to watch him excitedly finish his bath, get into his PJs and with anticipation run to the pile of books and choose a few. He then backs up into my lap (he has always done that...LOL), plops himself down and begins turning pages. I don't get to actually always read the full text since I can't keep up with his fast little fingers but I do point out objects in the illustrations which slows him down a tad.
Cole and I go to the library every week to freshen our inventory of bedtime tales. Since his books are only 8, 10, 12 pages with simple sentences it is important for my sanity to visit our branch EVERY week. Our library system is great and I have an online account where I can reserve titles (since perusing shelves with a 20 month old isn't reality). So I read a review or come across a title in a magazine and I log on and place it on my list.
As for my bedtime reading, at the end of the day I have little energy left, so I am proud of myself if I can finish a chapter or two each evening. This means that it takes me weeks to finish an average length novel but I am slowly chipping away at my reading wish list and once again enjoying the power of words.
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