Sunday, May 04, 2008

Randomness...

Wayyyy back in 2005 (3 years, really??) when I started this blog, I noticed that I often was blogging in the middle of the night. Guess what? That pattern stuck.

Maybe it's because I'm pregnant half the time. Ya think?

Anyway - here I sit at 3:44 am. Heartburn is winning, though I'm on round two of my Tums. And what is up with nature deciding to "move" in the middle of the night lately? Very inconvenient for me. I can handle the handful of sleepy potty breaks, but the other urge just makes it all but impossible to go back to sleep.

Annnnd, I'm sure you all wanted to know that, right? Riiiiiiggggghhhhht.

Speaking of being up in the middle of the night, I became a victim of an infomercial a few weeks ago. One of those steam cleaners -- not for the carpet, but the hand held kind. Complete with floor attachment. I believe I was still in the aftermath of the whole norovirus drama and they had me at sterilizing. Yep, there I was. Watching all of this steam power away germs and dirt and generally gross grime. And then there I was, on the phone buying that thing. It hasn't arrived yet, so I'll let ya know how big of a turkey I am. Who knows? Maybe it will end up being a beloved cleaning tool. I think I'll probably name it...it seems like the kind of thing that needs a name. (Yes, I'm a dork who often names inanimate objects.)

Moving along in the randomness...this next part could probably appear braggy, but I assure you it is simply an amazed Mommy report. You see, it appears that Mitchell has fully figured out this whole reading thing. In the last few months he has really, REALLY improved in the number of words he's able to figure out but I think it's kind of like when kids grow out of shoes. You know they're getting tighter, but then one day the shoes just don't fit anymore and you're left wondering EXACTLY when that happened? (Maybe it's just me.) I mean, I have seen him getting better, but the other night I was absolutely blown away. Last week, my parents took us, my sister-in-law and my two nephews to see this local production of the very Frog & Toad book that we own. (It was actually mine from when I was little.) Well, as you can imagine, he was very excited to come home and read it at bedtime. As usual, I started reading to him after tucking him in and I only got about 3 words out when he said "Mommy, I want to read it to you tonight."

And he so TOTALLY did!

I think in the entire chapter he missed about 10-15 words, max! It was absolutely amazing!! I was tempted to go to the basement and get my Running Record forms from my school stuff to check his accuracy, because I'm nerdy like that. Instead, I turned off the teacher side of my brain and let the Mommy side of my brain just go to goo. I helped him when he asked me to, but mostly I just sat and listened. And smiled like a complete goofball who had taken about 4 too many valium or something. I just couldn't help it.

I think that what happened is that I saw myself in him. He was just LOST in this book. I, for the first time, really saw him figure out how magical reading can be. I sat there snuggled up with a five year old male version of myself -- that child whose real world melted into the scenes found in the pages of the book. I can tell that he is going to be just like me. Called 14 times for dinner, only to be physically hunted down and found to have his nose in a book, oblivious to the fact that there is still life outside of those pages. That makes me grin ear-to-ear because I know that I witnessed him experiencing one of the great joys in my own life: reading.

He was so proud of himself, almost as proud as I was! We talked for awhile about our favorite parts of the play, how it made the book even funnier now, and again about how wonderful he did when he was reading to me. Of course, he begged me to do another chapter right then. I encouraged him to read another one on his own, but that it was bedtime. (He most often falls asleep with books on his bed.) When I left him, he was snuggled under his covers, holding his book in the air, saying the words "Chapter 2." I came back to check on him about 15 minutes later, and he was sound asleep, Frog & Toad still clutched in his little hands.

I remember the day I figured out how to read. I was sitting on the steps in my house with my mom. She was tying my shoes and I was reading to her from my Winnie The Pooh And The Blustery Day book. She stopped tying my shoes and said "You just READ that to me! You know how to read!" I think I was about 4 or 5 years old and to this day, I can still remember what a special feeling that was. I knew I'd just unlocked a whole new world and I could tell by how excited my mom was that it as a big deal. I hope that Mitchell remembers his Frog & Toad moment the same way...that he knows it is a special thing.

Okay - enough babbling for one middle of the night session. I think the Tums are starting to win. Maybe I'll try going to bed again. I took some time to say hello to all of you bloggy friends tonight. It was so fun to catch up!! Hopefully I won't be such a stranger anymore.

Night, night!

17 comments:

BethAnne said...

I am sooooo glad to hear from you on my blog!!!

I think it is so neat when your kids grasp difficult concepts. I remember when Lake started to read, it was so fun for me. He is taking guitar lessons and I see him doing something that I cant even do and it amazes me.

My husband is really after me to start on child #3......I however feel that children #1 and #2 are more than I can handle some days....you will have to let me know how easy/hard it is with 3.

Mari said...

Yeah for Mitchell! That is a huge thing and when a kid is good at reading, it influences all the other subjects.
I have to know if it was the steam shark you got. I saw that infomercial and was tempted. If it was and it works, I want to know! Hope you sleep good tonight!

Jamie said...

YAYAYAYAY Mitchell! The mommy in me is cheering and tearing up. That is so awesome. I greatly look forward to the day when I can experience the same. A love of reading is such a special thing.

The teacher in me has to tell you that Frog and Toad Are Friends is a 2nd grade book! A level 2.9 to be exact. WTG little guy. :)

Terri said...

Isn't it exciting watching them learn to read? Shaelyn is doing to same thing. She is now insisting on reading the Bible story at mealtimes; much to the shagrin of her sisters! I know it can take forever for them to read it, but you can't help but feel proud of them for their accomplishment!
Way to go Mitchell!

The Boulais' said...

I can so relate to getting lost in books as a kid. My dad used to talk to me and I wouldn't hear a word he said because I was lost in another world. Reading and the passion for it is such a gift. I am so happy that Mitchell is so in love with it. Perhaps a trip to the bookstore is in order to get a brand new Frog and Toad???? It is so hard to tame that teacher inside of us and just be a mommy who is amazed and wondered at our children, isn't it?

Sadie said...

That is amazing that he shares your love for books. Ruthie shares my love too and I can't wait for the day she learns to read! I ALWAYS had my nose in a book. Tell M I am proud of him! A video would be nice! hint hint!

Janelle said...

Look at you! You're on a roll with this bloggy thing.

I am so sorry about your heartburn.

YAY! for Mitchell.

Earen said...

I'm so glad you're back, my friend! How wonderful that Mitchell is reading now! Isn't it so neat when you start seeing your kids figure stuff out. Caleb has no officially learned to tie his shoe & it's so fun for me to watch him & the satisfaction he gets from it. Hope you're doing well my friend!!

Alana said...

I so loved getting a comment from you on my blog! And so glad you are back in the bloggy swing of things...yay!

Also, how great is that about Mitchell! I think that has to be one of the coolest moments as a parent...to see your child reading.

Anonymous said...

Hey!
I'm so glad you're back! I haven't been posting that regularly, either - spring is CRAZY around here.

I am a night owl, and that with no excuse. Just insanity - or foolishness - or whatever you want to call it. It's my time alone in my own house, which would NEVER happen otherwise! So, I'm a sucker and I DO pay for it, let me tell you.

Hope you rest better tonight!
Jen

Rebekah said...

Glad your back and blogging. Good deal for Mitchell. I remember reading a Winnie the Pooh book when I was in Kindergarten.

Kristen said...

so sorry about the middle of the night heartburn -argh!

Yeah for Mitchell! I was so laughing when you wanted to go get your running records to see how he was reading - I so often had to hold myself back from doing the same thing with Morgan or giving her the DRA to see her level. I had to just be mom and enjoy!

It is so thrilling when they can read. I was one of those kids who would read entire books in a day. Still love to read and it is heart warming to see your kids have that passion too!

Katie said...

OH - Tara - what a special moment! I am a reader too - hope my girls get the bug too. You have such a great way with words. Kisses from us.

Shelley said...

I was always lost in books too. Reading came quite easily to me too, however it doesn't seem to come so easily to my six year old. We're making progress though, and it is such a joy to watch her figure the words out on her own. I was SO happy to hear from you the other day. I remember how tired and busy I was preparing for baby3, so I totally understand your absence lately! I hope you're sleeping better now!

Kathleen said...

Saw you on Sarh's blog and thought I would mention that Pepcid AC SAVED my life when I was Pregnant. Took it once a day...I could eat ANYTHING the rest of the day.

Congrats on your 3rd!

Sarah Markley said...

oh gosh - i love it when they start to read for themselves and get it! Way to go mitchell.

Lynn said...

I was just catching up on my daily blog reading, and you had comments on the last three blogs I read. Since we seem to have so many friends in common, I thought it was time I paid you a visit. :o)

So sorry about the pink eye...love the picture you chose for the photo contest....congrats on your son learning to read! What a great moment.