A New Chapter

A whole other life ago when I nannied for one of the best families I have ever met, I remember them reading chapter books to their oldest son Tyler and thinking it was such a special idea!  Tyler was not old enough to read yet, but every night they would read him a chapter from a book of his choice.  I never knew it would be so exciting when I had kids!

This last weekend we took the kids to the Stock Show and Rodeo.  Now, we have gone to the Stock Show every year and seen the animals, walked the grounds, and caught some dog shows, etc.  BUT, this year, we treated them to an actual Rodeo!  Blake was THRILLED about the entire day!  He LOVED the bull riding, he LOVED the horses, he LOVED watching the Muttin' Bustin' and proclaims that he can't wait until he can do that next year!  Cows, Horses, Tractors, Cowboys, Clowns but what made his day (week) is this...

THIS hat!  This $20 cowboy hat which he has yet to take off except for preschool and sleeping!

SO - anyway, (sidetracked sorry) today, Blake asked to go to the library and get some new books.  It is one of my favorite things to do with the kids because we typically go in with a "theme" and come out with all kinds of funny things!  

Today, we went in to get all things Farm and Horses!  My boy is ready to learn and he LOVES nonfictional books with facts and pictures way more than those silly books called fiction that most three year olds like.  He has picked out and preferred nonfiction books for about a year now and we have learned more about sharks, farmers, horses, divers, and fighter jets than I ever thought possible!  

It is one of those things that just is Blake.

Anyway, (side tracked again)...today, we were finding some great books about farms and horses and even managed to find a few dvd's on the topic (including a 1960's western about a horse named Misty, which he is watching as I type) and I had a thought...out of no where, I thought of Charlotte's Web!  It was one of my favorite stories growing up and I think the fact that Charlotte's web is in a barn is enough of a connection that my cowboy will roll with it and so, we were on a mission! 

I took Blake to a whole new section of the library.  "this is where they keep the chapter books, these are books you get to read when you are older" I explained.  He was excited and his eyes lit up, he started looking at all the titles and pictures as I looked for Charlotte's Web.  

I found it!  

Today, before nap, I read Blake the first chapter of his first chapter book.  It was the best 10 minutes of my day!  Looking down at Blake's little feet lounging over my legs as we read on the couch in the playroom was a special moment.  I promised Blake I would read one chapter each day until we finish our story.  I am excited to share this with him!  I think it will be educational for him to picture the words and the story in his head and not just look at the pictures in the book.  Unlock the world of books and all the while spend some quality time with my #1, three year old!  It is kind of "our" thing and something I know I will look forward to each day!

I know I won't be able to read to him for much longer, and today, I just soaked it all up!