Our budding readers

Of the many ways in which the kids are growing and changing, one of my favorite to watch lately is their growing love of books and reading.

Natasha's confidence seems to build week by week, and with her confidence her joy in reading grows. She still loves for us to read to her, but now she also really enjoys time reading on her own. The latest discovery... that Mom and Dad will let her keep her light on in her room for a little while at night if she wants to read before she goes to sleep. A win-win from our perspective. She reads and she falls asleep more quickly than some of her past pre-bedtime rituals.

Xander also likes that Natasha is learning to read... now he has another person who can read stories to him! Though he has enjoyed books for a while, his love of storytime has really deepened in the last several months as his communication skills have developed. One way to make them both happy is just to suggest a trip to the library or book store.

Watching the kids, there are a few traits we see now and then that we really wish they hadn't picked up from us. :) However, a love of reading is one habit we're happy to share.