In the past five years and change, I have often read Hayley a book or two at bedtime. I’ve frequently read books to her during the day, especially when she comes home from school on library day or when we go to the public library ourselves.

Tonight, for the first time ever, Hayley sat down and read a book to me. She didn’t recite it from memory – we had never read it before. She read every word perfectly and needed no help. She paused at “zig zag” and looked at me, but rather than tell her, I asked her to try, to go ahead and sound it out. And she did.

My little girl read her first book for real tonight. I was so excited and so proud that I nearly cried.

Breanna isn’t reading yet, of course, she’s only two. However, she’s finally starting to enjoy having books read to her. For a long time, she wouldn’t tolerate it, preferring to simply look at the pictures on her own. Now she’s starting to learn her letters, a combination of my efforts, Hayley’s enthusiasm, and the PBS show Superwhy. She’s always ecstatic to point out letters in books, stores, anywhere. She’ll finally let me read to her, as though she finally understands that the words aren’t a distraction from the pictures, but rather tell the story itself. Several times a day I sit down as she asks, “story?” and plops a book in my lap.

I always hoped I would raise a little family of bookworms. I think we’re off to a good start.