Reluctant Readers

Reading is a huge part of our lives.  My degree is in English.  My mom is a librarian.  Ben comes from a family of readers.  When we were dating and engaged we would read books out loud to each other--we still do.  We read the Harry Potter series to each other.  Reading and books are very important to us.  Of course that would translate to our kids. . . we thought.

We started reading aloud to each of our kids the day they were born.  We both felt reading aloud to kids was super important, and it is.  A great book about that is Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook.  I have used that religiously while my kids have been growing up.  Ben--their dad--reading aloud to our kids is also super important--he still reads out loud to them now even though they are 15, 13,11, and 8.  He also takes the time to read individually with Mr J.  For a boy to have his dad read to him is priceless.

Our first two kids were super readers from the start--independent readers I should say.  They both read the whole Harry Potter series on their own in 2nd grade.  Our 3rd child really seemed to have a harder time with independent chapter book reading.  Finally by 3rd grade she caught it,  "the love to read chapter books on my own" bug.  Our little man has probably been the hardest.  He loves to read, loves, loves, loves it--picture books that is.  And he loves to have his dad read to him.  They are going through all of Andrew Clements books, but getting him to read a chapter book on his own (which he is totally capable of) has been like pulling teeth!  It has been frustrating because we think, "you can do this, you love to read!  Why not read a chapter book?"  Patience is so important, and not really a virtue I possess--just being honest.

Finally, and reluctantly he has come around--or is still coming around :)  We tried The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne--which my girls loved, but he didn't like them, but then Kate McMullan's The Dragon Slayers Academy finally caught and kept his attention.  There are 20 books in that series, and he ate them up.  I was cheering super loud!  

I was worried about this summer.  He checks out bag fulls (not joking) of picture books that he reads on his own, but wouldn't check out a chapter book.  I kept suggesting, but he was not interested.  Finally at library story hour this week our children's librarian (thanks Leah!) introduced him to The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.  There are 5 books in the series and he got them on Tuesday.  It is Thursday evening, and he just finished #5.  He can't wait to check out the Beyond Spiderwick series now.

It just takes the right book, and then they are totally hooked.   So, don't give up on a reluctant reader.  Keep reading, and reading and reading, and keep looking for that right book.  I think good books for boys are harder, though, but it is so worth it and important for them to love reading.  It will bless them their whole life!

If you have any good boy book suggestions, I would love to hear them!  I am going to be posting some of my girls' favorite books this next month, so check back!

Daily December 20: Blue Jeans Week 48

Busy, busy week.  I am sure yours has been too.  Here is what we have been up to. . .

Sunday:  Mr J and his friend he has known since she was born.  Her older brother and I decided we would blow it up to an 8x10 at their wedding reception in 20 years :)  They are so cute together

Monday:  Miss A, Mr J and Miss E making gingerbread houses at Nana's.  Mr J has his plan all ready for what he wants to do colored next to him.

Tuesday:  One of our favorite Christmas traditions--our Christmas countdown candle that Ben's dad makes for us each year.  Thanks Dad!

Wednesday:  Before bed Jesse will read one of his library books to either Ben or I.  Tonight we read by the Christmas tree.

Thursday:  Went shopping and out to lunch with some dear girlfriends today.  Don't know why the color is funny with this?  Had a great time and so love my girlfriends!

Friday:  Miss A had a Christmas Ball at school tonight.  She looked so pretty in her dress that her Dad picked out for her.  He does have good taste, he married me :)

Saturday:  Christmas treat baking day.  Ben helped me make some batches of an almond joy type candy.  It was nice to have his help.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and hope your next week is a wonderful one!

Blue Jeans Week 37

We are enjoying the cooler fall which, after this horrible, hot summer, we just love!!!  Hope fall is in your neighborhood too!

Sunday:  I haven't taken a recent picture of the chickens lately, so I got one today.  They are laying now, so we are loving the fresh brown eggs.  We have 6 laying hens.  5 sort-of brown ones in this shot, and then one black and white, but she is her own person/hen and doesn't like to be with the group, so I had to get a picture of her later this week.

Monday:  Miss A's last volleyball game was today, so I caught a picture of her with her awesome coach, who also happens to be one of my best friends.  She is the best coach!!  Love you T!  Thanks for all you do!

Tuesday:  Got a picture of Miss Black and White Hen today.  I think she is the prettiest of the flock. 

Wednesday:  I surprised the kids by picking them up from school today and heading to the Dr. office for flu shots.  They didn't figure out what we were doing until we pulled into the Dr. parking lot.  They were not amused, but we were all brave and survived--even me, although our arms were pretty sore the next day.

Thursday:  After the previous day of traumatic flu shots, I needed a Girls Lunch Out.  So we headed out of town to a greenhouse for mums, pumpkins, and pizza for lunch.  Nothing beats great friends.  What a blessing!

Friday:  Miss E got into the 100 point AR reading club at school and got her t-shirt today.  She was very proud.  She has turned into a super-reader this year!!! 

Saturday:  This weekend was our Church's--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--semi-annual General Conference.  We don't have local meetings, but we watch our services on TV or the internet Saturday and  Sunday from our church wide General leaders and our Prophet and President.  It is such an amazing experience.  Unlike the unpleasant flu shots earlier in the week, these meetings have been a wonderful spiritual "shot" or boost that I really needed.  I so love my Savior Jesus Christ and all that He does for me.  So grateful for my family, my faith, and my church.  It was a great weekend, and to keep the kids entertained and sort of listening we play conference bingo with Reese's Pieces.  They listen to what the speaker says and find that topic on their bingo card (like faith, Christ, love, etc), and when they get bingo they get to eat their pieces (plus extra too:)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!  God bless!

Blue Jeans Week 32

We are getting into the school routine here.  Getting to bed earlier, getting homework done, getting up earlier.  Not all of this is to everyone's liking, but such is life.  We live and adjust and find joy in our journey together.  Some shots from our week. . .

Sunday:  We try to really make this a relaxed day.  Miss E and Miss O tackle a puzzle Sunday evening.  All my kids like puzzles.

Monday:  Mr J is in a silly stage right now.  He loves to be silly and make everyone laugh at his antics.  He is always telling me "Mom, take a picture of me!" and then he makes a silly face, then he instantly wants to look and see the picture I took, then he laughs and says, "Take another one!"  So this is just one silly shot of many of my boy. 

Tuesday:  Got a picture of Mr J with his 1st grade teacher.  Luckily his silliness just seems to stay at home and doesn't manifest itself at school--yet.  That is one thing I hope doesn't change :)

Wednesday:  Mr J was laughing at one of his sister's today about something.  What a cutie!

Thursday:  Miss E with her 4th grade teacher.  She doesn't look so sure about herself here, but the school year seems to be going well for her.  She says her teacher is 'Awesome!'

Friday:  After school Miss E takes some time to read some books to Mr J as they relax at the beginning of the weekend.  Weekends become much more special during the school year.

Saturday:  Went up to the city today to do some shopping.  Hit Costco, which is our favorite store, and Ben was trying to fit everything we bought plus the 4 kids into the van before we headed home.  It was a tight fit.  I was glad I was driving and not in the back :) That is our stock-up store.

Blue Jeans Week 31

Let it begin. . . school started this week.  I have very quiet days, but we have crazy busy evenings and weekends.  That is life right now, and I am grateful for it.  I love my life.  Hope the beginning of school goes well for all of you.

Sunday:  afternoon relaxing and listening to Dad read in the front yard. 

Monday:  The girls have been on a God's Eye making kick.  They decorated my kitchen light with their awesome creations. 

Tuesday:  Miss E relaxing and reading--enjoying one of her last days of summer.  I think she was too absorbed in her book Dealing with Dragons to notice the blanket had fallen on her head.  As long as it wasn't over her eyes so she couldnt' read, it didn't bother her :)

Wednesday:  Back to school party #1.  Miss O had her back to school party today. They had a relay race and this was their "school" work station where they had to quickly finish a math worksheet.  The girls had fun. 

Thursday:  First day of school for Miss O, Miss E, and Mr J.  Miss O has her bag of Kleenex ready to go.  Who would have thought that Kleenex was such an essential school supply :)

Friday:  Miss A has her first day of school. 

Saturday:  Our 2nd and final back to school party this week.  This was Miss A's party.  They had fun playing volleyball in the backyard.

Well, I am happy to have back to school parties over and school actually started so we can get back in to a "normal" (whatever that means) routine.  I am a schedule and routine person, and school lends itself to that.  Spelling tests, research papers, and math quizzes here we come!

Blue Jeans Week 27

Finally got a little rain and some cooler-only 99 instead of 104-temperatures :)  so we are doing good!

Sunday:  Miss E reads to Mr J.  Love it when the older girls read to their younger brother.  So sweet!  Of course 5 minutes after they are done they are fighting with each other, but at least we have a few minutes of peace when they read to each other :)  We will take what we can get. 

Monday:  Went to the city today, and whenever we go we hit Costco--our favorite store.  They always have such pretty flowers, and today they had these awesome pinecone type flowers--don't know the name--the girls were so impressed with so Miss A took a picture.  Anyone know what they are called?

Tuesday:  The library was having a Spiderwick mini-camp this week.  Miss E is making her fairy/sprite house.  Love the library.  Love that the mess is there and not at my house :)

Wednesday:  Summer fun--swim in the pool to keep ourselves cool

Thursday:  It seems like in our house someone is always on the piano--with 4 taking lessons.  Got a shot of Miss O getting her practicing done today.

Friday:  Had a church camp out this weekend.  Mr J and his friend enjoying their meal in between their swimming in the lake they camped by.

Saturday:  Ben and Miss A enjoy the lake on the camp out. 

Hope you all have a great week!

Blue Jeans Week 24

We are hitting the hot dog days of summer here, and they just seem to fly by, can anyone else relate to that?  :)  Hope you all have had a good week!  Here is what we have been up to. . .

Sunday:  Ben is so good to read aloud to the kids.  They are finishing up #5 in Brandon Mull's Fablehaven series which they have all loved.  Good summer reads if you are looking for some.

Monday:  Ben, Miss O, Miss E and Mr J finish up their new bookshelves.  They are super excited to get them filled with stuff which I am sure won't take long.  They did a great job and look great!

Tuesday:  Swimming lessons week!  Miss E has fun jumping off the diving board.

Wednesday:  Mr J with his cute swimming teacher.  He loved going to lessons this week!

Thursday:  The girls checking out one of the Harry Potter 7 part 2 previews. . .with just a few days left in the countdown until the movie is out!

Friday:  Mr J and one of the most classic of childhood entertainments--a pot and pan band--he entertained us with some pretty good music this afternoon.

Saturday:  Mr J and another classic entertainment--dominoes.  He was showing me his favorite dominoes  :)  It has been too hot to be outside, so we have been playing lots of games and doing projects inside in the nice A/C. 

Hope you all are keeping cool and enjoying your summer!  Have a good week!

  

Blue Jeans Week 8

Sunday:  Our bedtime routine always starts with reading scriptures.  Tonight we did it up in our room, and our bed is the favorite place to read for the kids.

Monday:  Another bedtime routine, is the kids are allowed to read by themselves for 30 minutes (time allowing) after they are all ready for bed.  Miss O and Miss E love doing that.

Tuesday:  Tuesday routine involves me volunteering in the kids' school classes.  Sometimes I am lucky enough to be in Jesse's during recess.  Today they had indoor recess, and he got to play with the Lincoln logs.  He loves playing with those.

Wednesday:  For the girls' church activity tonight they got to learn how to tie a tie.  Miss E practiced very hard at it, and they are one up on their mom since I don't know how to tie one.  They will have to teach me now.

Thursday:  Front page news!  Miss E and my mom (who happens to be her school librarian) were on the front page of the paper promoting our town's reading project.  Our town picks 2 books each year and encourages everyone in the town to read them.  They hand out free books and have activities to go along with the book throughout the year.  The book this spring is The Wizard of Oz, thus we have the 2 good witches :)

Friday:  Sad day.  Miss E went out after school to feed our chickens, which are not pets but we have for egg production (see this post) and came running back in "Dad!  Dad!  One of the chickens is dying!!"  Sadly it did die, and we think it might have had a heart attack or stroke, but Ben and the kids buried it that evening.  Miss E made the gravestone.   Goodbye Miss Henrietta chicken.  Thank you for your brown eggs.  We will miss them. 

Saturday:  As part of our town's reading The Wizard of Oz  they showed the movie for free at an old movie theater in town.  It was the first time my kids had ever seen the movie.  What a classic.  They all enjoyed it, and especially the free, unlimited popcorn, too ;)  Hope you all had a good week!