James Reads At Three!

I just got back from sitting for another one of my sweet families. I don't see this family very often as they live way over in the Art Museum area; I think they have several local sitters on their list and I'm kind of a back-up. Last time I saw James and his cutie little baby brother, it was right before summer started when James was reading the letters in his books at the speed of lightning and Alek was waddling around if someone would hold his chubby hands.

Tonight, I had the pleasure of reversing roles and having James read to me for the first time ever. JAMES IS THREE YEARS OLD (he'll be four in February). At first, I thought he would recite words from memory using visual cues from his books. Boy was I wrong. Little bugger was phonetically sounding out words like "comfortable," "escalator" and "department." I was so enthralled with his reading ability that I nearly passed out from smiling so hard. I admit it: I had to stifle my squeals of awe as I kneeled by his miniature bed intently listening to every enunciated syllable coming from the pipsqueak's mouth. It was quite a sight: James' miniature frame tucked under his quilt embroidered with red airplanes with a book the size of his torso propped across his lap. The word "smushed" puzzled him along with a few others, but he had no problems phonetically working through them.

I sat starry-eyed and had to remind myself to breathe as James steadily read through two books out loud. I mean, this was not Dr. Seuss, a picture book, or See Spot Run. These books had plots! One of them was rated in the 4-8 year old reading level. In any case, James totally blew me away tonight and if I do say so myself, I am feeling slightly proud of him.

May Corduroy and Alexander continue to keep Mr. James company!