Reading!!!

Alyssa read her first word on Thursday night! We sat in the floor and worked on her letters - which is one of her favorite things to do. So, I made a sound, she told me what letter made the sound, and then she wrote it on a big piece of poster board (which she loved b/c I let her use markers). Then we got out our little letter tiles, and we put three letters together......c a t.
She said the sound of each one. I pushed them a bit closer, she said the sounds faster, etc., etc., and finally she yelled, "Mom! Does that say CAT?!?!?!" I yelled, "It sure does!" And her face was all aglow! It was a great moment, and one that I am glad I got to share with her. She is really trying to write words and read, so I think she'll be reading a few basic words soon, and definitely before she goes to kindergarten! Woo hoo!

Now if we could only get her to NOT practice her letters in church, that would be a positive thing! Two Sundays ago, we took her to big church with us and right as the sermon started she began saying her letters and sounds VERY loudly----tuh, tuh, tuh, T! puh, puh, puh, P! duh, duh, duh, D! Now, granted, our church is huge, and the preacher probably didn't hear it. But, the people in the back left section certainly did. Then, when we got onto her and asked her to be quiet, she started a very emotional crying fit. She said, in the most pathetic voice you've ever heard, and quite loudly, "You don't want me to learn my LETTERS!!!!! WAHHHHH!!!!" The grandparents behind us just laughed, and I had to take her out. IT was embarrassing, but funny now that we look back on it.

So, I guess God took pity on her and rushed her education along, because now she feels like she can read! Maybe she'll be quiet in church in the future! :-)

Jonathan, I am proud to announce, is in the middle of reading his first chapter book! Nate the Great, and the Tardy Tortoise! HE is loving it. He has to read on a DRA level 18 to get out of first grade, and he is already reading an 18 easily and working on 20-22 with me at home. HE is really taking off! I am so proud. And, he is currently making all A's in class--after a minor adjustment about actually reading the sign in his math problems, he is doing much better. I am so proud of our little guy. He's wiggly in class, but he has come home with no color changes in a long time, and he has even gotten several super stars in the last week or two. I will upload Walkathon pictures later today or this weekend for you. We had a great time yesterday!