Quirky Corner of Common Sense

My first official spring break since 2001... a little different, now that I'm teaching college instead of attending college.  No Vegas trip or Hawaiian cruise with the fam for me this time!  But, it has certainly been just what I'd hoped it would be. Productive.  Relaxing.  Enjoyable.  Motivating.  Fulfilling. I finally got back to the gym (classes like pilates and zumba!).  I have done a bit of school work, although more could always be fit into my schedule.  I had lunch with friends.  I painted our master bathroom (finally, after a month of its completion).  I have been playing with Loki to keep him company.  I did my nails.  I have done PILES of laundry.  I got groceries.  I had an amazing massage first-thing on Monday morning (NOTE: everyone should start their vacation with a massage!). And I have made time to spend with Ethan.  That's probably the best part of my job... so much extra time getting to pl...

A few months ago, Ethan had expressed a sincere interest in learning to read.  We started doing sight words on his iPad and practiced reading BOB Books.  He was easily frustrated and we eventually waned on our focus of teaching him to read. Then, last week, Ethan picked up a book called Dragon Egg... and read it all by himself! With this renewed enthusiasm, Mike and I decided to invest in a bunch of 'Step Into Reading' books to help keep Ethan interested.  So far, he has read three of them almost completely on his own.  Wow! Two  months before Ethan's fifth birthday, he decides to give himself the best gift of all... learning how to read.  It is so exciting each time he finishes a book - for all of us! I am constantly in awe of Ethan's vocabulary and interest in learning.  I wish everyone had the drive and desire he continues to demonstrate.  Imagine what an amazing world we would live in if that were the case...