Reading is Fundamental

Yesterday after lunch (Welcome to Moe's!), my husband took my two younger children to spend the afternoon at his mother's house at her request. He offered to pick them up on the way home from work yesterday evening, so I didn't have to go get them.

Works for me.

I picked up our two older children from school and decided to spend the afternoon with them, since that's not something we get to do often. We stopped at our favorite gas station/restaurant/bait shop/convenience store and got some junk food, then drove down to a book store my daughter has been begging to visit. The books were supposed to be cheap, and I'm all about cheap!

When we got there, I felt safe letting the children go to the kids' book section while I browsed the adult books. I told them they could spend $15 each, so they took off in search of literary treasure.

We met back up about 30 minutes later, arms laden with stories to be explored. Together we chose books for the little ones, since we couldn't leave them out.

The car was quiet on the drive home. Each of the kids had his or her nose in a book. I love the silence created when the kids are reading. I love that they enjoy diving into stories and learning things only books can provide. LOVE that.

Last night after everyone was in pajamas, I was cleaning the kitchen and noticed it was somewhat quiet in the house. I peeked around the corner of the kitchen and saw this:



and this:



and this:



My three youngest children, who live for that last 10 minutes of computer or Wii play before bedtime, were sitting on the couch, together, TOUCHING, reading that Star Wars book. Well, Aiden was reading it, but Quinn and Lillian were sitting QUIETLY, enraptured while Aiden read.
Amazing.

That's the power of words, y'all.