Mom The Mystery Reader!

Max's first grade teacher offers various ways for parents to be involved with classroom activities.   One of them (and my favorite) is the "Mystery Reader."  I was scheduled for today.  Keeping this from Max was not easy but I did it! 

I arrived at the school just as Max was lining up in the lunchroom readying to return to class.  When he saw me there was no masking his absolute surprise. Once he recovered from his state of shock (a I offered a quick wave to Mimi and her friends in the lunchroom still) he escorted me to his classroom with great excitement and much pride. 

As we're so close to Halloween I decided to read three books with that general theme, including The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, There's No Such Thing As Monsters, and Room on the Broom.  I had a little extra time after finishing the third book and at the children's begging (and the teacher's okay) I read one more book that Max chose from the class library.

I encourage all parents to make plans to visit your children's class.  It is so rewarding for all involved.

Riding the Hogwarts Express

As I've previously shared, my daughter does not quite appreciate or understand my love of reading.  I could never figure out how to impart upon her how incredible it is to read typed words on a page and then feel them come to life in your mind.  It almost seemed like I was describing magic.  And then... it occurred to me...

 

MAGIC!

That's it!  I realized that rather than nudge her head into a book and force her to read like this:

I would instead let my children see the wonders inside of a book by reading them Harry Potter (they already love the movies and have previously asked if we could read the books).  And, so, last night it began and magical it was.

After over 30 minutes we only reached page 11 of the first book.  Why?  Well Mimi kept enthusiastically raising her hand to ask questions during breaking points as she began to recognize the characters based on the book's description.  At one point Max was leaning on me with his eyes closed and I thought I lost his interest until he started giggling over the stoic cat perched on the brick wall.  Mimi took hold of my wrist and asked "Can I read some out loud?"

Yes.

Yes. You can.

At the rate we're going it may take us a year to finish the series, but who cares.  We have plenty of time and if we happen to run out I'll use my time-turner necklace.

School is Cruel?

Mimi loves to make fun of me do imitations of me.  She will put on my glasses and start talking like me.  It's quite hilarious and is really justified payback for the years of making fun of doing imitations of my own mother. 

Well there is one way my daughter is nothing like me.  All who know me is aware that I am an avid reader.  Mimi, however, acts like she's being subjected to cruel acts of torture when it is time to read her chapter for the night.  I'm talking thrown herself on the floor, stomping feet, tears streaming and shouts of "IT'S NOT FAIR!" 

 

Seriously... have you ever seen someone look that miserable while reading?