read today

 

Corbin has done all sorts of growing up this year. He has shown how responsible he can be. He has loved and cared for his brothers. He has made such kind choices and stood up for kids that needed it He has quietly been a good example to those around him. 

At the beginning of the school year, Corbin needed just a bit more help with his reading. He can do it, he just doesn't love it. Luckily there is such a great program here in Utah that has benefited Corbin so much. There are so many awesome volunteers, mostly sweet older women, who come and read to their kid twice a week. 

This is Mrs. Green. Doesn't she look so fun! (She was teasing with Rudger) Corbin loves her and was so excited to find this special reading buddy at the ice cream social they had at the end of the program this year. She brought Corbin a package of cupcakes on his birthday, she knows how much he loves rocks so on the last day she brought him a special rock on a key chain. She will always hold a special place in Corbin's heart. Corbin went up 12 levels and gained 63 words a minute this year. We are so proud of his hard work and we are so grateful for Mrs. Green!

So sad that they are ending the program at our school this year. It has helped so many kids with building confidence in their reading. Supposedly the new common core program has too much going on in the class room that they feel they can't pull kids away for one on one reading time...  

reading

I never really read a whole lot when I was little. I wasn't a strong reader. I didn't absolutely love it. And Justin, when he was little he really did not love to read. So it should come to no surprise to either of us that some of our kids are in the same boat.

However, Justin and I have changed over the years. I grew to love some reading (especially when Harry Potter came out). And something happened on Justin's mission where he really grew to love it. I have teased him over the years because he is always reading at least four different books at the same time. (almost always gospel related)

Now the jokes on me.

It's only natural that both he and I have a deep desire to get our kids reading and to love it at an early age. We feel they will be at so much more the advantage if they learn to love reading now.

We have done well at some things, and not so well at others. But we will keep pushing on. 

Encouraging them to read alone.

Encouraging them to read to each other.

(don't let the picture fool you, Rudger really did love it)

Keep books out and easily accessible. 

 And my favorite.

Cuddle up and read to them.

 and of course, visiting our library often. 

I hope they get it sooner then I did.