Gotta Brag Every Once in a While

I think kids are just generally smarter these days then when I was little. I can brag on my kids, but I think every parent is equally justified with all these strong spirits being sent to Earth. When I was in first grade I remember learning to count to 100 and maybe learning to read a few words, but I don't remember reading chapter books until second grade. I am amazed at how smart kids are these days.

My little KJ is reading chapter books that I wouldn't have dreamed of reading until I was in the fifth grade. She loves the Magic Tree House books, but especially the research guides. She devours those books the way I devour chocolate. The other night I was watching the 10 o'clock news and KJ wanders into the living room to tell me she was ready to be tucked into bed. I didn't even realize she was awake! She had been reading the Space Research Guide for 2 full hours. She has this pad of post it notes and when she reads something she really likes, she writes it on a sticky note and sticks it on her wall. She is so bright. I just have to be sure she gets to bed at a decent hour for a six year-old!

RM is getting a head start on reading too. She is doing an online computer reading program called the Easy Read System. She is currently reading the Three Little Pigs. At this rate she will be at a really good reading level going into Kindergarten. I will be interested to see which books she will enjoy. I am thinking it will be fairy books and princess books and anything with a pink, sparkly cover. All I know is that Kimmy couldn't stand Junie B. Jones, so I think I will skip that series with RM.

And then my little EC! She isn't reading but she is as cute as a little bugs ear. When RM does her computer reading program, EC will sit on my lap and make all the sounds she hears RM making. And then when she sees a word she will sound it out with her own made up sounds.

What can I say, they are all just so brilliant!