Reading and Storytelling

Here's a little video that shows how much our Clara has adored and loved on her new little sister.  I love that she wants to share with her some of her favorite things.  Clara has always loved books and reading, but lately her very favorite thing to do is make up stories (or as she says, "let's just tell a story with our MOUTHS.")  I, of course, love watching this early literacy and beginning stages of writing develop in her.  As an educator, it's fascinating and joyful for me to see the things I read about and talk about and share with teachers happening in my own kid.  Eloise is fortunate to grow up with this big sister.  She'll be read to lots and loved on more.  The first video is Clara "reading" to Eloise and the second is her making up a story (with her mouth).  Hope you can understand her, because it's precious!

Learning from the Best

My former professor, friend and colleague Dr. Debbie Linville has just moved back from TX and I couldn't be happier to have her back in town.  She's taught me almost all I know about literacy and reading and writing instruction and I have the utmost respect and admiration for her both as an educator and a remarkable woman.  She's been one of Clara's biggest cheerleaders and faithful pray-ers from the start, so it was a real treat for her to come and join us for lunch and to read Clara stories before her naptime.  I have no words to really express what a joy it was for me to watch her rocking Clara and reading (really DLTAing) with her.  Truly one of those moments I wanted to freeze in my memory and store in my heart.  Let's do it again soon, Debbie!

Soft House

Earlier in the summer, Clara and I checked out Soft House from the library and enjoyed reading it together. (Sidebar: Even though I know rather a lot about children's literature - I did teach the course to college undergraduates for the past two years - I still delight in discovering new titles by checking out new books every week with Clara.  Further evidence that I'm convinced parenting is really just an excuse to have all the most fun in the world and actually appreciate it this time around.) She loved the text and has called blanket forts "soft houses" ever since.  Summer is great, but some days are just way too hot (or in the case of this summer, too wet to be outside).  And on those days, building a soft house is just the ticket.  This is one of my favorite memories from my own childhood and it's pretty cool to watch Clara get excited about crawling around, reading with a flashlight, and snuggling up with stuffed animals and dolls inside a "soft house," too.

Summer is almost over.  Have you built a soft house in your living room yet?