Reading rituals

Reading together on Reed's 4th birthday.

Reading together each night has been part of our lives ever since both kids were tiny. And we didn't even truly know the benefits when we made it a ritual – once we got into elementary school, the teachers never failed to remind parents how important it was to read to your kids. We were always like "well of course we read to the kids!" We would switch off which parent read to either kid, and it was a lovely one-on-one time that we could all count on. I vividly remember little Reed, probably 2 years old, holding up one finger and asking "One more book?" even though we'd probably just read him 5 books.

These days it's becoming more rare for Reed to ask to read with us at night. Once he was reading more involved chapter books, he quickly realized that we were just slowing him down. So he retreats to his room and reads on his own – much more efficient for him. (Or he wants me to read comic book style books that have print that's too hard for my older-by-the-minute eyes to see.)

Amy has also come to the same realization that she can get a lot more pages turned if she reads on her own, but most days she still wants one of us to read to her (or she reads to us). It's a great way to keep involved with them and have something we can talk about, although some of the books she chooses make me a little nutty (the rainbow magic fairy series – don't even get me started – but she loves them!). I wonder how much longer before she sends us on our way too. Sigh.

We will just enjoy every last chance we get to spend this time together. And maybe one day it'll be a tradition they'll carry on with their own kids.

P.S. We have several pictures of other people reading to the kids – but not a single one of me reading with the kids. Let the record show that I read to the kids every bit as much as Tod did....disadvantage of being the family photographer!

Guest post from Dad

On Thursday, 1/31/13, I had quite and experience with the kids. Their after school program is called CASA.  Every year right before the NFL Super Bowl, CASA helps the kids put on a CASA Super Bowl. They assign 5th graders as team captains and play a football game in the school gym. The kids that don't play do other things like cheerleading, making posters, bringing snacks, make noise makers, put on a halftime show, etc. It's big fun. Parents are invited to watch but it starts at 3 p.m. so this year there was only about 6 parents there for the 40 some odd kids that are in CASA. This was the first time in 5 years that I could attend. It was inspiring to me to see all these elementary school kids participating in different portions of the game with minimal adult control. The teams played good football, scorekeepers did "mostly" good, etc. But it was clearly a kids run event. Kudos to the CASA teachers.

Anyway, Reed (4th grade) played football and did wonderful. He played as a good teammate and leader. He played defense, offense (QB and receiver). He showed great sportsmanship and hustle. He was encouraging players, laughing, high-fiving and having a ball. He threw 2 TD passes and caught 1 TD pass. All the while just having fun.

Amy, (2nd grade) however, I think stole the show. Through the whole game she was watching, cheering, playing with friends, "sneaking" out of the gym and generally have a great time. She dancing the cotton eye joe and macarana during halftime. She was one of four kids to hold he signs that the team ran through at the beginning of the game then she hustled to the stage to sing the National Anthem as a complete solo, using a microphone on stage in front of a gym full of her peers and adults. Her teachers said she was the only kid who volunteered to sing. All eyes were on her and she nailed it. She was loud, clear, confident and simply breathtaking.

Then I sat with Amy while we ate pizza after. I couldn't be more proud of our kids.