Reading in Style

I've been bringing the girls to story-time at the library this summer. Ella has adored it. If you know Ella, you know that she would be content to just spend her time reading with you, all day long. She has loved sitting and hearing stories and singing songs. At the end, they get a special stamp on their hands. As we've attended more sessions, she's become more comfortable participating, and it's been fun to see her try to keep up with the other kids.

There is a summer reading challenge through the library. The under four crowd had to color a beach ball for each day they read - a total of ten, and then return it to the library for a prize. Of course, Ella finished this challenge in ten days. There's not a day that Ella doesn't read.

 

Last Monday was our last story-time of the summer. Consequently, Ella and Lily's last story-time until next summer since they'll both have school on Mondays. We happily went to story time and since we were early, we had time to turn in the reading challenge sheet. Ella's prize was a little beach ball, she picked the one with hearts.

Here's where the style part comes in...

That morning, Ella brought me her tutu and asked to wear it. So, I helped her put it on. Then, she fashioned a belt out of a neon tube. Then, once her style was put together, she came right up to me to tell me that she was "Princess Ella" - it was so incredibly funny.

I was able to get her to remove the belt for story-time, but the tutu remained. I welcome it. There's such a short time frame, especially in a girl's life, when you can create your own style and not feel self-conscious of it. And really, who doesn't like to see a toddler with their own style - mismatched traditional clothing with some dress-up clothing mixed in. Love it!

Some of Ella's book recommendations:
Little Pea
Hondo and Fabian
Biscuit series
Children's Bible (Ella calls it the Fible)
Goodnight Moon

The Snowy Day
We Help Mommy
Yertle the Turtle
and one of Mommy's favorites (a must if you have a daughter)
Someday