Progress

Big steps in the Sloth household these day.

First, Demand.

For well over a month she has been outright asking us to teach her to read. She's always loved books and we read a lot. So with the glory of homeschooling we decided to move ahead and start her kindergarten reading program. It's three steps but since she's known the alphabet and what each letter says since the age of two we were well past the firs step. First day of learning didn't go very smoothly but lesson number one of homeschooling is be flexible so I adapted. Instead of working at the table first thing in the morning while Happy played in the living room I decided to wait until Happy was asleep and then start. Recently Demand and I have been napping together in my bed and I read her some of the "Boxcar Children" before we go to sleep. (First of all she's sleeping! Can you believe it?!) So I thought I would try to teach her to read during this time. It is quiet, we're alone, and it's cozy. I also threw in a bribe. One piece of candy for each word she legitimately reads on her own. Wouldn't you know it she read four words. First thing this morning to asked to 'read' again and she read even more words today plus she was able to read a word in one of her 'real' books.

There was an added bonus to today's naptime. I've decided that it's absolutely necessary to wean Happy. We'll both be sad but it needs to be done. I'm just working up the courage. Our biggest obstacle will be naptime. Happy is usually so tuckered out by naptime he quickly falls asleep nursing. Today I nursed him for a bit but then we went in his room. I thought I would try and do their bedtime routine and see what happens. It worked! The only difference was that I gave him a sippy cup of milk. He wasn't happy with the situation at first but once he realized that Demand and I were sticking around and heard me start to read he slipped into to his sleepy-time routine. He sat there flipping through two books , playing with a few stuffed toys, or sometimes even laying down drinking from his sippy cup. Meanwhile Demand and I read a few books and then started our reading lesson. At first she was getting her candy rewards right away but she was doing so well that at one point I asked to read something and she told me with a mouthful of candy that she needed to swallow first. So we decided to stock pile the candy until the end of the lesson. Five minutes later we were done so I laid down. Seeing me lay down, immediately Happy laid down, rolled over and went to sleep. Demand was soon to follow. Both children asleep in their own beds. I'm as shocked as you are.

Tonight was CCD which means the kids are exhausted by the time we get home. I somehow managed to slip Happy into his crib without nursing him first. He was tired enough to just move along with the routine. It will be great if we can be just as successful in all our adventures tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, 90% of why today went so smoothly was that I actually got out of bed at 6am like I plan on doing every day instead of staying in bed until I have to get up. I was out of bed, showered, coffee made, breakfast started and had some time with the Bible before the kiddos even left their room. What a difference it all makes for the Sloth family.