We've got 2 readers!

Just had to share (yes, brag...it's my blog right?) how proud we are of both of our school-agers! They are doing so great with reading and both of them have such a passion for it. I have to say I enjoy reading, but have never been one to just read and read and read. And, dh doesn't like to read at all. He'll read the sports page and that's about enough for him. ;)
So, you can understand our amazement at the joy that both of them are finding in this new habit. I'm so pleased and just so proud!
Ds can often be found reading when he is supposed to be getting dressed or showering. He'll ask to read before school, after school and throughout the evening. The child can devour an entire chapter book in a day. He's flying through his favorite book series, The Magic Treehouse books. Yesterday he started reading one of them for a second time. He'll read just about anything he can get his hands on. His teacher has picked up on his love of reading and is also encouraging him to keep up the good work. During the 1st nine weeks of school he was testing at that beginning of 3rd grade level. I think he's possibly even a bit past that right now.
I attribute his fantastic spelling ability to his love of reading and the wide assortment of words that he has been introduced to. He has gotten perfect scores on all of his spelling tests this year and has also gotten all of the bonus words correct. The bonus words are a bit tough for 1st grade, in my opinion. Words like: neighborhood, cooperation, phrase, etc... His teacher told us at his conference that she's going to have him start making up his own spelling tests with words that he wants to learn, since hers are "easy" for him.

Dd just started kindergarten this year and is also doing really well. She has mastered sounding the words out and can recognize so many words now! She'll even read books aloud to herself. When she thinks noone is listening/watching I love to peek on her and see how she's enjoying it. She reads to her baby dolls, her barbies and her stuffed animals! In her room they'll be all set out like students and she is the teacher. She works on her sight word flashcards and has most of them mastered now. She spends most of her day sounding out and trying to spell different words. Her constant eagerness to learn is just fantastic!

It makes a momma so proud to see her children striving to do well and enjoying it as they go along! It's not work to them, it's fun!

I have no doubts that ds #2 is going to follow in their footsteps. He already knows all of his letter sounds, enjoys books so much and is learning all of dd's kindergarten songs (r-e-d red, r-e-d red, I can spell red, I can spell red).

Ok, I'll stop gushing with pride now. :)