Capture, savor, and celebrate right now.
After a few weeks of having all three of us here together Chris is back to meetings (the new legislative session begins next week) and Simon has one more day off school today (it's a "professional development/planning day"). I am ready for a bit of "alone" time around here to get some more work done before the baby actually arrives.
I finished cleaning up, clearing out, and reorganizing Simon's room yesterday. One of the things that was most fun was having him rediscover toys he has not played with for awhile that still bring him entertainment and joy. I am glad to have that entire project completed and can move on to my list for the baby room (thanks for all those kind words on the sneak peek).
One of my favorite things over the past couple of weeks is that Simon has really gotten into reading. REAL reading on his own.
Our normal routine is to read a book to him each evening before going to sleep of his choice (we intervene or make suggestions depending on how late or early it is). One night last week he picked Green Eggs & Ham, climbed up on his bed, sat criss-cross, and told Chris he wanted to read it that night.
It took over an hour for Simon to read Green Eggs & Ham the first evening.
After the excitement (and a bit of fatigue all around) Chris had the brilliant idea to come up with a simple way to track the books he reads all by himself: each time he finishes a book he can add it to a list we are keeping on a bulletin board in his bedroom. That in and of itself was enough of a motivator for him to get down to business and it has been working like a charm for the last week.
The next night he read Robert the Rose Horse.
Tonight he fell asleep while Chris was reading to him. He had spent part of his afternoon reading Green Eggs & Ham (on his own on the couch) and starting on Horton Hears A Who.
I so hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime love of reading.
In addition, I would like to ask for your prayers and positive thoughts. Many of you know that I have had a bunch of moles removed over the last year and a half (actually more than 20 since August 2007). This past week I received some results indicating that the most recent one I had removed from my upper chest area is stage one melanoma (this is more serious on the spectrum than the melanoma I had removed in the past which was only on the surface of the skin). I should be getting more information this week as to what the next steps are in this situation.
Consider this your friendly reminder to have your own skin checked by a dermatologist if you have any suspicions or conerns.
Ali,
Love the picture of Simon. So cool that he is reading. I just dropped my son off at the bus stop and have mixed feelings about my son going back to school. Your post on Simon helped me embrace the good. My son who struggles with some basic things, made a peanut butter sandwich all by himself yesterday:)I loved how proud he was of his sandwich. I will be writing up that story!
Ali, sending lots of positive vibes your way as you find out more about the mole.
Take Care, Jess
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Keeping you in my thoughts.
That's great news about Simon though! I can't imagine how it felt to know he WANTED to read it himself. What a wonderful accomplishment.
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I really admire Simon's ambition for reading! My son is the same age and he gets so exhausted reading some of those longer books. When he starts getting tired I have him read one page and then I read the next page. It's a strategy they use at school when they read with a partner so he is willing to do it at home. Also, have Simon make his own special bookmark. It might make him more willing to break up a story into two reading sessions.
Please know you are in my prayers!
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What wonderful news about Simon reading-what a blessing also about your baby almost here in your arms. I will continue to pray for the baby and for your health and direction and guidance for this uncertain skin situation. Peace be with you during this transition time :)
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Prayers and thoughts are with you as you patiently wait for your results.
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Ali...I love your blog, but I'm usually just a lurker (I don't even comment when you have give-aways)! However, I did want to come out of the shadows today to send good thoughts & prayers your way. I'm so glad you're sharing this with us...I really do believe in the power of prayer and you are going to have many,many prayers being sent your way from all over the world!
Keep the faith!
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Hey Ali,
I'm sending a prayer up for you and positive thoughts your way my friend!
Jill
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hugs and prayers to you, Ali.
And congratulations to Simon on his new quest. A suggestion that my mother (a librarian) always makes to parents of new readers -- alternate reading pages, as in Simon reads a page and then parent reads a page. Since he doesn't seem to thrilled by spreading a book over multiple days, this option may make the book go a little quicker. If his answer is still, "no", you can always start the bedtime process a little earlier to accomodate. :-)
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Prayers to you and that everything with the mole turns out okay! I know how you feel, I had a bunch of skin tags removed recently and will be returning in a few weeks to have about 8 moles removed.
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Your in my prayers Ali.
My younger sister has been having them removed as well. I am so proud of you that you that you have kept on top of it.
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Hi Ali,
Just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you and the baby, and Chris & Simon too. Praying for wisdom for your doctors, health and safety for you and the baby and praying for peace of mind for you and Chris as you get more info this week.
Big hugs,
Dawn McVey
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We will be going through this together.. On Thursday I seem my dermatologist about a mole that is possibly melanoma. We have been watching it for awhile and in the the last few months it has gotten bigger and darker.. I would have gone in sooner but lost my insurance for a time. The last 10 moles or so that I had removed were all in the pre stage. This one is on my calf so I am praying that they wont have to remove too much of the area. Lots of prayers to you as I understand the stress and worry you are going through.
On a happier subject.. WAY TO GO Simon.. Keep up the wonderful reading!
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Sending positive thoughts and love your way.x
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oh my gosh, Ali, I'm sorry to hear about the melanoma report. I know little about it, but you are ABSOLUTELY in my prayers.
Simon is beautiful.
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Hi Ali,
Lifting you up in prayer.
BTW, I absolutely love Robert the rose horse. Hadn't thought about it in a long time, but an all time favorite of mine!
Take care. Hope you get good news this week.
Wendy
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Sending good vibes you're way.
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Ali, sending you all my positive energies.
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Hugs and Prayers to you. Sending positive thoughts your way!
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Sending thoughts and prayers your way.Go Simon Go that is awesome dude!He is such an inspiration.love the photo of him.
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sending prayers your way.
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All the best to you & yours, Ali. You are in my good thoughts,
amy
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You are in my prayers. What a scary thing. And thank YOU for the reminder to take care of my own.
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Sending positive thoughts your way.
Great how Simon is reading, I remember when my son was that age he loved Dr Seuss, he also loved the critter books (MercerMeyer) which were recommended by his speech therapist.
Take care.
{hugs}
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I will keep you in my thoughts...I hope everything turns out ok.
As far as reading goes...my son is in 1st grade and loves to read but like Simon, it often takes him awhile to read longer books. We decided to take turns so he reads one page and I read one. He is still reading a lot that way but it gives him a little break in between pages and it doesn't take as long to read that way. Works out well for both of us.
Take care!
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Way to go Simon! We have read stories at bedtime with my oldest son (almost 5 years old) for years, but just in the last 2 weeks started having him read "dick & Jane" and I am just blown away at how well he is doing. It's amazing just how PROUD they feel. I guess its one of those moments where you are SO excited for them and at the same time, where did the time go and how are they old enough to read already?
We have a couple little reader books on Star Wars too, so you might want to look into those for him! he'd probably love them!
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