Junie B. Jones

Every night the kids get to read in their beds for 20 to 30 minutes before going to sleep.  Lately Mikey has actually been reading to me during this time.  Last night he read me a book and so Lucy wanted to read me one and she got her My Little Pony book and opened it up, looked at the picture and told me in her own words the story.  It was so cute.  Tonight Mikey said most of the books in his room were boring so I suggested he try reading the Junie B. Jones books.  Conner read them in the first grade and I thought maybe Mikey could try.  He blew me away.  He read it so well.  His pace is slow but he got most of the words right but what was the best was that he comprehended what he was reading and was busting a gut at all Junie B's antics.  He was laughing so hard Conner had to come in and join us and then Lucy.  It was just so precious having Mikey read to us and us all having a good laugh.  Conner just kept praising him on how well he was reading.  When he finished the chapter Conner went and got the whole series and was describing the plot of each book to Mikey and he got so excited.  They stayed up a little later than normal but that's okay.  Some bonding and increased self worth were taking place.  I asked Sam if he ever read those books and he said no.  I forgot he went from those lame leveled readers in kindergarten to Harry Potter in first grade and bypassed all the Magic Treehouse and Junie B. books.  I am so glad Mikey found so much pleasure in reading tonight.  If only I could get him to find more pleasure in eating.  He is not picky, just set in his ways.  Everyday  he eats cereal, cutie and yogurt for breakfast, a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch with whatever fruit and vegetable I serve and rarely eats much dinner.  Although I cook breakfast most mornings, he rarely eats it and prefers cereal unless it's something that can be slathered in syrup.  I always have cereal for those mornings I want to sleep in so he has access to it.  I could just get rid of it but it's just not a battle I'm willing to pick right now.  He's like his dad.  They love cereal and I hate it.  No matter what I make Neil usually needs to top it off with a bowl of cereal.