Mystery Reader

Today Carter did not have school because of a school holiday (don't get me started here about the extra days they are adding in June so they go almost to July but they have to take today off...) but Matthew did have preschool because his school is in the next town over. Soooo.... Carter went to the preschool and was the Mystery Reader in Matthew's class!!! I suggested it last week and thought it would be a great way for him to practice reading, which he absolutely dreads doing with me (we haven't figure out why...).

Carter was quite thrilled that he could be the reader in his old school. (Carter went to this preschool for 3 years so I think he knew it was a big deal to be a guest reader - which is usually just moms and dads or grandparents.) He practiced "How Does A Dinosaur Count to Ten?" and we tried to practice him holding the book for the kids to see the pictures. I was a tad worried he'd bail at the last minute... but he didn't! He was SUPER confident and SUPER excited to be at the school.

I have to say the cherry on the top for me was seeing how INCREDIBLY proud Matthew was to have his BIG brother there. When we walked into the room, he said "This is my brother Carter - he knows EVERYTHING about Indiana Jones!" He sat by Carter during the book (sorry for stating the obvious...) which had me a bit worried that he'd blurt out the words on the pages before Carter could read them - because this is the book he has had Bill read to him every night for the last year. Carter knew the book also but he was reading each word and did a great job, even with a little help from Mom.

Also funny note - Abby was also in the room tied down in the stroller. When we came in, Matthew kept saying to his friends, "This is my sister Abby - do you want to touch her?" Poor girl was a piece of meat!

All in all, a great confidence booster for Carter. Now we just need another carrot to dangle for him to keep practicing.... I'll take all ideas!