Bears, Wheels and Secrets with Santa

Kai is starting to read! When I think about it, I really have no concept of when kids start learning to read on average, but I think it's safe to say that I really don't care. I'm just excited that it's happening! The magic book is "Bears on Wheels" - Kai read almost the entire story to me tonight. The "twenty-one on none" page is very exciting, I tell ya. I know he is primarily memorizing the words, rather than sounding them out, but I do know that he's looking at the words and not just reciting them.

Anyhow, it is a while since he learned to crawl, or walk, or eat with a utensil (though at times it seems that he has forgotten that skill), so it is fun to see him hitting another milestone. Of course, I know it'll be a long process, but it's exciting to see him so interested in learning to read!

In other news, Kai and I went to the annual kids' Christmas party at my work last weekend. In addition to participating happily in a number of well-organized activities, Kai sat on Santa's knee and had his photo taken. Afterwards, he and Santa had a long chat with a lot of gesturing (on Kai's part) and a lot of nodding (on Santa's.) What I would have given to have heard what was said!

And yes, Kai decided that Puddles should also be in the photo - but WOW that duck looks dirty. I think it has been at least a few weeks since his last "bath".