Unlisted Bonus Features
Her big sister, lending a helping hand.
A lot of people talked about the benefits of having an older kid around when a new baby comes home. I think back to when Addie was little and remember all those times I needed something that was just. out. of. reach. Wipes, a diaper, a drink, a stray binky, a burp cloth…the remote. That alone was enough to convince me that having Addie around was going to be pretty sweet.
Seeing these two little girls together has brought me more more joy on more occasions than I could have ever imagined. But there’s one thing that never occurred to me, Addie knows how to do an awful lot of things as she gets closer and closer to seven that are far beyond bringing me wipes and clean diapers. It happens almost everyday when she comes home from school or at the breakfast table and it is my favorite thing to watch between the two of them.
Addie is reading at a fourth grade level in first grade, she can read any book in her room. She’s always liked reading out loud and showing me the pictures just like her teachers do at school. Now that Vivi’s around Addie LOVES to read to her and show her the pictures. She has Vivi’s full attention and when she reads to her on the floor Vivi scoots as close to Addie as she can until their heads are touching. Vivi will pay attention through the whole book and give her a look like “What’s next?” when Addie’s done.
These are some of my favorite photos of these two. I’ve never asked her to read to Vivi, she just does. I get to walk in on these scenes of my two littles with each other, it’s magical.
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Reading Larua Numeroff Books
"If You Take a Mouse to School" is one of Addie's favorites.
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Paying Close Attention
Vivi hangs onto every word that Addie says.
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Picture Time
Addie is always careful to make sure that Vivi sees every picture.
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Quality Time
These two just adore one another.
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The Vivi Scoot
Vivi scoots as close to Addie as she can.
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Vivi Helping with Homework
Addie is reading her a book about wolves in winter.
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Addie's Favorite Audience
Once Vivi came along Addie stopped reading to me.
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Vivi Loves any Book
Vivi enjoys even the silliest of school assignment books Addie brings home.
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Reading Snuggle
Don't you kind of want to be there in between them?
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Explaining the Pictures
Making sure she understands the complexities of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
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Reading before breakfast.
She always reads to Vivi on the weekends while I get breakfast ready.
My son was 7 and a half when my daughter was born, and for the first few months, he read Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton to her every night at bedtime. Now that she’s older, he reads every book that she gets to her immediately. I love it. He was like your Addie and reading at a level far beyond his grade. He is now reading at probably an 8th grade level, and he’s in 3rd grade.
LOVE.