Sentences!

While running errands today, Mackenzie asked for an ink pen. We didn't think too much about the request as she loves to draw and write. Upon arriving at our destination, Mackenzie announced that she wanted me to read what she wrote. Okay. So, we sat down together to read her story. I was totally shocked when I saw this: Wow! I know she can easily read sentences with several words, including four letter words now. But this is one of the first times that I've seen her create a sentence on her own (no prompts, no suggestions, no coping, etc). She did this in the car seat while the van was moving. I'm so excited! Two sentences. Easy to read. Totally on her own. She even remembered the punctuation, and we did not even spell words for her. Yep, I'm proud! :) Thanks for indulging me while I brag on my little girl. She's only 4 1/2, by the way. ;)

Way to go, Mackenzie! I'm continually amazed by the things you are able to do and your motivation to learn. Keep up the good work, sweet girl.

She is Reading

Caution: I am about to brag on my 4 year and 3 month old Baby Girl!

She did it! She can really read! Just a few minutes ago Mackenzie and I were in the kitchen making marshmallow creme fudge when she piped up and said, "Momma, does that say 'Dots?'" I responded with an excited, "Yes! It does say 'Dots!'" At this point I'm thinking to myself that she just might have memorized that somewhere along the way, but a milestone nevertheless. I proceeded to grab the can of sweet and condensed milk (which she's never seen before and it does not look like the milk she's used to seeing while still in the unopened can) and ask "What does that say?" while pointing to M-I-L-K. She studied the word for a few seconds and then began to sound it out. After saying it three times to herself, her eyes lit up as she announced, "Milk! It says Milk!" Feeding off of her excitement and making the most of the moment, I grabbed the jar of marshmallow creme. I pointed to the word Jet (as in Jet Puffed) and asked her what that word was (we refer to this as marshmallow creme, so I doubt she'd ever heard it called Jet Puffed). She paused only a moment before responding without even sounding it out loud to say, "Jet!" Then she grinned up at me and said, "Momma, that's easy. I already know my blend ladders, so the short words are easy."

Indeed, she does know her blend ladders (Abeka curriculum). Kudos to Mrs. Melinda! She has done a fantastic job of taking Mackenzie from where she already was in August and building on that to lay the groundwork for reading. Mackenzie and I have fun at restaurants with crayons and letters. She has been able to read and write words like rat, mat, hat, sat, pat, cat, and bat for a few weeks now. I'm working on "that" with her as it is a little trickier! She loves to spell. I hope she keeps that eagerness to learn and enjoyment of reading and writing as she grows. I know I have certainly enjoyed being a part of her learning to read.

I have to add...she has been able to read and write several words like stop, go, mom, dad, red, Josiah, Mackenzie, Jesus, and Laura for over 6 months now. However, those were ones (and there were a few more) that she had just memorized. This milestone is different in that she is able to read words that she has not already committed to memory. The blend ladders have opened up a whole new world for her.

Way to go, Baby Girl! I'm proud of you, Mackenzie!